East Windsor Drug Possession Lawyers

Arrested for Possessing CDS in East Windsor New Jersey

If you are facing a drug charge in East Windsor, the lawyers you choose to defend your offense will play a major role in the outcome of your case. A defense attorney can have any level of experience but you are certainly best served by hiring one who is familiar with not only CDS possession cases but also the East Windsor Municipal Court and Mercer County Superior Court. These are the two venues where your East Windsor drug possession charge can end up depending on whether it is a disorderly persons offense (i.e. possession of 50 grams or less of marijuana) or a third degree crime (e.g. cocaine, heroin, MDMA, etc.). The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall is comprised of former prosecutors who have been appearing in both of these courts for decades. A lawyer on our team, which has over 100 years of collective experience defending possession of cds offenses, is available to assist you in a free consultation at 609–683–8102.

Drug Possession Charge in East Windsor Township

Most drug possession charges arise out of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10. The penalties for an offense under this law hinge on the Controlled Dangerous Substance schedule the drug appears on and the quantity possessed. There is an entirely different statute that applies when someone possesses drugs for distribution purposes or with intent to distribute. The headings below outline some of the important aspects of possession of cds under 2C:35-10.

Possession of Marijuana. Although marijuana is a Schedule I drug, its possession is charged somewhat differently from other Schedule I substances. The amount of marijuana an individual possesses at his or her arrest determines his or her charge. For 50 grams or less, he or she faces a disorderly persons offense that falls under the jurisdiction of the West Windsor Municipal Court. The penalties for this offense are up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. Possession of more than 50 grams of marijuana is a fourth degree crime. The penalties one faces for this conviction are a jail term of up to 18 months and a fine of up to $25,000.

Other Forms of CDS/Drugs. A charge for possession of most drugs other than marijuana trigger an indictable crime of the third degree that must be handled at the Superior Court in Trenton.

• Cocaine possession is a third degree crime. Individuals who are convicted of this offense face up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $35,000.
• Heroin possession is a third degree crime. The penalties for this conviction are three to five years in prison and fines of up to $35,000.
• Drugs like Percocet and Vicodin are legal to possess with a valid prescription. Without one, possession of one of these substances is a criminal offense. For these drugs, the amount of the drug possessed determines the individual’s charge level. Possession of four or fewer doses of a prescription drug is a disorderly persons offense, for which the penalties are up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. Possession of five or more doses is a fourth degree crime, which is punishable by a fine of up to $10,000 and up to 18 months in prison.
• The possession of MDMA is a third degree crime and has the same penalties as other third degree possession charges, such as the possession of heroin or cocaine.
• The possession of controlled dangerous substances in a motor vehicle is a separate charge from a drug possession charge. This is a motor vehicle offense for which a convicted individual faces a mandatory driver’s license suspension of two years.

East Windsor Township NJ Drug Possession Attorney

At the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall, our team of criminal defense attorneys have over a century of experience to invest into your drug possession offense. If you are interested in securing representation for a cds charge in East Windsor, a lawyer with the skill to help you is certainly available at the firm. Call our office at 609–683–8102 to speak to an attorney about your case.