Middlesex County Drug Charges
Due to the importance that our society places on minimizing drug and narcotics activity, law enforcement targets those suspected of committing drug crimes and prosecutes them aggressively. In New Jersey, drug charges entail severe and immediate penalties including incarceration, steep monetary fines, probation, mandatory drug testing and possibly in-patient treatment. Often, people convicted of drug charges find the long-term effects of conviction to be even more severe. Drug crime convictions remain on your permanent criminal record, thereby limiting your educational, employment, financial and professional opportunities indefinitely. If you or your loved one has been arrested on suspicion of a drug offense, then it is vital that you immediately seek to protect your rights. A skilled criminal defense lawyer will greatly increase your chances of avoiding the grave consequences that you are facing. At William Proetta Criminal Law, our highly experienced drug crime defense lawyers have achieved countless successful results in courts in New Brunswick, Woodbridge, South Plainfield, Perth Amboy, Piscataway, and throughout Middlesex County. Contact our offices in Edison today at (732) 659-9600 to discuss your case and receive a cost-free consultation.
Real Results for Real Clients Facing Drug Charges
We are dedicated to your satisfaction and earning your trust for life. Check out some of our reviews on Avvo.com from clients like this one:
“Will Proetta has helped my family since 2013. Every single case he has represented us has been above and beyond. Our 1st by Will would of been 1-3 yr jail time downgraded to a municipal ordinance. He is very honest and he truly works hard for an outstanding outcome.Our most recent case, Will represented us on weapon charges w/CDC & drug possession all dismissed, dismissed, dismissed. The astounded looks as we exit the courtroom was unbelievable. Will cares, he has so much knowledge and the respect in the courtroom giving and receiving. So much pressure was lifted off my shoulder to know we have Will & he calls or texts you back the same day when he becomes available. No lawyer will work as hard as he does. He is a Godsend.” – Suzette
Drug Charges Attorney in New Brunswick NJ
The lawyers at William Proetta Criminal Law provide exceptional criminal defense to clients arrested or charged in drug cases involving:
- LSD Possession & Intent to Distribute Offenses
- Synthetic Marijuana Charges
- Intent to distribute in a school zone
- Distribution within 500 feet of a public park or housing
- Maintaining a CDS production facility
- Failure to make lawful disposition
- Possession of CDS
- Being under the influence of drugs in public
- Possession of a weapon during the commission of a CDS offense
- Leader of a Drug Trafficking Network
Degrees and Penalties in New Jersey Drug Cases
Under NJ law, drug crimes may range from disorderly persons offenses (misdemeanors) to indictable crimes (felonies). The magnitude of the crime often depends upon the amount and type of drug involved, the location of its use or distribution, and of course previous convictions. For example, possession of a prescription drug without a prescription may very well be a felony, depending upon what type of drug is involved. When determining the degree of a drug charge and the potential penalties if convicted, one of the key factors is the specific drug and its classification within the NJ Schedule of Drugs. Specifically, there are five drug schedules under NJSA 24:21-1 through 24:21-56. Any drug considered a controlled dangerous substance will be assigned to Schedule I, II, III, IV, or V depending on its properties.
A controlled dangerous substance (CDS) is classified based on its potential for abuse, whether it has an accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, and the likelihood that abuse will lead to psychic or physical dependence. The schedules of controlled dangerous substances are as follows:
- Schedule I Drugs (such as marijuana and heroin) have a high potential for abuse and either no accepted medical use or cannot be safely used in treatment under medical supervision.
- Schedule II Drugs (such as cocaine, Oxycontin, and Adderall) have a high potential for abuse, no accepted medical use in treatment or currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions, and abuse may lead to severe psychic or physical dependence.
- Schedule III Drugs (such as anabolic steroids and suboxone) have a lower potential for abuse than Schedule I and II drugs, no accepted medical use in treatment, and abuse may lead to moderate or low physical or high psychological dependence.
- Schedule IV Drugs (such as Valium and Xanax) have a low potential for abuse relative to Schedule III drugs, no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, and may result in limited physical or psychological dependence compared with drugs in Schedule III.
- Schedule V Drugs have the lowest potential for abuse, currently have an accepted medical use, and create the lowest extent of physical and psychological dependence relative to other controlled dangerous substances. You may be able to buy some Schedule V drugs at your local pharmacy.
Regardless of the drug involved in your case and the specific charges you’re facing, it is essential that you contact a defense attorney to begin building a case around your particular needs.
Charged with Drugs, What if it’s my First Offense?
If it is your first offense, you have better chances to avoid incarceration by plea bargaining or getting the charges dismissed by applying for court-offered diversionary programs that keep you out of prison to complete a supervised program, at the end of which, your conviction does not become part of your criminal record. For drug charges, you may also be diverted through Drug Court for those addicted to drugs or who have committed drug related offenses. The program consists of education, supervision, drug testing, and counseling services to successful candidates, with the aim of rehabilitating those involved with drugs, so that they do not violate drug laws in the future.
Contact a Piscataway NJ Drug Possession Defense Lawyer Today
If you have been charged with drug crimes, know that you can get an attorney to effectively defend you. Defending against drug charges is a matter of a criminal defense attorney reviewing the facts and evidence against you. The police and prosecution have evidence that they gathered to charge you with a crime and prove that crime before a judge in municipal court or jury in superior court. For felony charges handled by way of indictment, they must convince a jury beyond a reasonable doubt that you committed a specific crime or crimes related to the controlled dangerous substances(s) in your case.
Middlesex County drug crimes attorney William Proetta has the experience and insight necessary to help defend any New Jersey resident who is facing drug charges. He has handled criminal and municipal court cases in the thousands, a large portion of which include drug charges. From our office conveniently located in Edison, we represent clients throughout Middlesex County and beyond. Our law offices offer free initial consultations. Call (732) 659-9600 to speak with one of our knowledgeable drug defense lawyers or contact us online here.