Distribution within 500 feet of a public park or housing Attorney in Middlesex County

New Brunswick Attorney for Drug Distribution w/in 500 ft Public Property

A third degree drug distribution charge under 2C:35-5 will be upgraded to a more serious second degree offense if you are arrested for distribution or possession with intent to distribute drugs within 500 feet of a public park, public housing, or public building under statute 2C:35-7.1. Under the statute it does not matter what type of controlled dangerous substance you have in your possession. Whether it is marijuana, cocaine, prescription drugs, or heroin, then the penalties will be heightened. The only exception to the rule is if the confiscated drugs are marijuana and the total weight on hand is less than one ounce. In this case, the crime will be graded as a third degree rather than second degree. This significance of upgrading a distribution charge to a second degree crime is great and can be quite devastating. A 2nd degree felony carries with it a presumption of incarceration for even a first time offender with no prior record. It extends the range of incarceration to 5 – 10 years in state prison. To put this in perspective, a third degree charge carries a presumption of no incarceration and only a maximum of 3 – 5 years incarceration.

Interestingly, these charges do not usually involve the proverbial drug peddler in the school playground selling to kids. Rather, the defendants are often people in the wrong place at the wrong time such as parking lot or even in a house or apartment. Our drug charge defense lawyers take these charges very seriously and we will challenge the state’s case against you. In fact, we are often able to work with the county prosecutor’s office to negotiate a downgrade of the charges and secure probation or even Pre-Trial Intervention in certain cases so the charges are dismissed upon completion. We represent clients throughout Middlesex County and New Jersey including Woodbridge Township, Edison, New Brunswick, East Brunswick, Sayreville , Plainsboro, South Plainfield, and Highland Park. To learn more about how we may be able to help you or your loved one, contact our office today at (732) 659-9600 to set up a free initial consultation with an experienced Middlesex County drug crime defense lawyer.

N.J.S.A. 2C:35-7.1 Distribution of Drugs (CDS) within 500 Feet of Public Property

As mentioned above, intent to distribute drugs within 500 feet of a public park or public housing is a second degree indictable offense punishable by 5 – 10 years in prison. As the charge is classified as a felony crime, the case will be handled at the County Superior Court. Moreover, under the Brimage Guidelines, an extended term can be imposed if you have any prior convictions of manufacturing, distributing, dispensing, or possessing with intent to distribute drugs. 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. Furthermore, 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. To combat these penalties our attorneys will work with the prosecutor and judge to seek a waiver of any extended term implications and petition the court with compelling reasons to establish a hardship exception to save your license. This is possible in situations where a need for travelling for employment and transportation to or from school are demonstrated.

Similar to Intent to Distribute in a School Zone, it is not a valid excuse or legitimate defense that you did not actually know you were within 500 feet of a public housing facility, a public park, or a public building. Moreover, the crime applies even if you are only within the zone as a result of the police stopping you in that specific spot or as a result of an undercover buy. Courts have further held that you do not need to actually have the drugs on you to be arrested under the constructive possession doctrine. For example, if you are in the park, but have the drugs stashed in a location greater than 500 feet from the park or public building, you are still liable under this statute. In both scenarios (distribution in a school zone or public park) the prosecution must produce the defendant with a municipal or county map prepared by an engineer depicting the boundaries of the area to prove that the defendant was in fact within the zone at the time of the offense. Most importantly, distribution within in school zone is a third degree charge exposing a defendant to 3 – 5 years incarceration while distribution within 500 feet of public property is a second degree offense punishable by 5 – 10 years in prison. A conviction for intent to distribute within 1000 feet of School Zone will merge with a conviction for possession of drugs with intent to distribute within 500 feet of public property.

Contact an Edison NJ Public Park Drug Charges Lawyer to Discuss Your Case

If you or someone you love is facing charges for distribution of drugs or possession of CDS with intent to distribution on or near public property, these charges are very serious and can be extremely complicated and dangerous without experienced guidance and representation. Our Middlesex County drug defense lawyers can review the facts of your case, explain your options and formulate a defensive strategy to challenge the state’s allegations. If you are interested in learning more about how we can help you, then contact our office at (732) 659-9600 for a free consultation.