2C:35-7.1 Distribution of Drugs within 500 ft of Public Park Attorney in Hudson County
KEARNY NJ PARK ZONE DISTRIBUTION ATTORNEY
In New Jersey, you can face additional penalties for drug related offenses if you are charged with possessing, dispensing, or distributing a controlled dangerous substance (CDS) within 500 feet of “certain public property”. It is a serious crime than cannot be merged with another offense. Under NJ law, “certain public property” includes a public park, a public housing facility, or any other government owned building such as a library or municipal office. Public housing facilities are defined to include single dwellings, a complex of dwellings, or any accommodation or structure that is owned by or leased to a local housing authority to provide living accommodations to low income individuals and families. Although the statute was most likely originally enacted to combat the image of the proverbial drug peddler in the neighborhood park selling to kids, it rarely has that affect. In fact, the vast majority of our clients are simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. This can include driving in your car and unknowingly passing a park or public building or even being in your home or apartment at the time of the arrest.
CHARGED WITH DRUG DISTRIBUTION WITHIN 500 FEET OF CERTAIN PUBLIC PROPERTY UNDER N.J.S.A. 2C:35-7.1
A typical 3rd or 4th degree drug distribution crime (based on the quantity of drugs found) will be automatically upgraded to a 2nd degree indictable offense if the alleged distribution or intent to distribute took place within 500 feet of a public park or public building. This applies across the board to any “controlled dangerous substance” you are found with including Marijuana, Heroin, Cocaine, and Prescription Drugs. So for example if you are arrested for possession with intent to distribute a half ounce of marijuana, a crime of the 4th degree – it will automatically be upgraded to a 2nd degree if the offense took place in a park. The significance of this is staggering because a 4th degree carries a presumption of non-incarceration for first time offenders and up to 18 months in state prison, while a 2nd degree crime carries 5 – 10 years in state prison with a presumption of incarceration even if it is your first time ever arrested. Moreover, under the Brimage Guidelines an extended term of incarceration can be imposed if you have a prior criminal record involving distribution or intent to distribute drugs. Under the guidelines, the minimum term of incarceration will be fixed at between one-third and one-half of the total sentence, or three years, whichever is greater, and the defendant will not eligible for parole for the first eighteen months. In addition, the court will seek to suspend your driving privileges for not less than six months or more than two years and can impose thousands in fines. Representation by an experienced criminal attorney is often essential in minimizing or avoiding these penalties.
WHAT IF I LIVE IN THE ZONE AND THE DRUGS ARE FOUND IN MY HOUSE?
If you are charged with a drug offense within 500 feet of certain public property, it does not matter if you live in the zone. In fact, many of the buildings encompassed by the definition of “certain public property” are dwellings or a complex of dwellings used as public housing or housing projects and owned by or leased to the government.
If you live within a school zone and are charged with a drug offense within 1,000 feet of school property for having drugs in your home, you can still be charged with the offense, but the judge may have discretion to waive or reduce the minimum period of parole ineligibility by considering facts such as the distance of the location of the offense to the school and the reasonable likelihood of exposing children to drug-related activities there. However, this flexibility for discretion does not apply to drug charges within 500 feet of certain public property.
UNION CITY NJ MARIJUANA DISTRIBUTION IN PARK ZONE LAWYER
The criminal defense attorneys at William Proetta Criminal Law are experienced in defending clients against charges for drug distribution within 500 feet of a public park. Depending on the facts of the case, these charges can often be downgraded or dismissed altogether by challenging the state’s proof issues. In the alternative, we can explore other viable options such as securing non-custodial probation and Pre-Trial Intervention for our clients. To learn more about how we may be able to help you or your loved one, contact our office today at (201) 793-8018 to set up a free initial consultation with an experienced lawyer.