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New Jersey Drug Charges Lawyer

Battle-Tested Criminal Defense Lawyers Advocate Vigorously for Clients Arrested for Drug Crimes in Essex County, Union County, Morris County, Middlesex County, Bergen County and Somerset County, and throughout North Jersey

Drug crimes and their associated penalties vary in New Jersey based upon the type of drug involved (it’s classification), the amount of drug involved and what the prosecution alleges you did (or intended to do) with the drugs.  Your past criminal record will also play a role when the judge is considering punishment for a drug crime. From simple possession to manufacturing or trafficking a controlled dangerous substance, drug crimes in New Jersey can be punished as a relatively minor disorderly persons offense or as a serious felony-level crime that can send you to jail for years.  Regardless of the type of drug crime you are accused of committing, you need a strong and aggressive legal defense team on your side to build an effective defense strategy on your behalf.

At Zegas Law, we have the experience and tenacity necessary to successfully advocate on behalf of our clients both in state and federal court.  We know that a drug crime conviction can impact every facet of your life, from your employment to your personal relationships to even your physical freedom.  We understand the broad range of drug crime charges that can apply in New Jersey, as well as the errors that the prosecution often makes during their evidence-gathering phase of these types of cases. 

Our drug crimes lawyers put the experience we have cultivated over the years to work in formulating a strong and effective defense strategy in your case.  If you or a loved one have been arrested or are being investigated for any type of drug crime in Northern New Jersey, don’t take the risk of going it alone or retaining a rookie lawyer.  Call or contact our experienced North Jersey drug crimes lawyers today.

Types of Drug Charges We Handle

We have successfully helped clients navigate the New Jersey criminal justice system when charged with drug crimes such as:

  • Simple possession of marijuana,
  • Possession of drug paraphernalia,
  • Possession of a controlled dangerous substance,
  • Possession with intent to distribute,
  • Drug manufacturing or trafficking,
  • Transportation of drugs across state lines,
  • Prescription drug crimes, including prescription drug fraud and forgery,
  • Distribution or sale of a CDS,
  • Federal drug charges

Whether your charge was relatively minor or very severe, our drug crimes lawyers are here to explore every potential option for minimizing the consequences of your charge.  For certain first offenders, we may be able to explore New Jersey’s diversionary programs or Drug Court, which can provide alternatives to formal prosecution. In some cases—especially in those involving prescription drug crimes—we can advocate for rehabilitative care to treat an underlying drug dependency.

New Jersey Drug Charge Defense Strategies 

The potential defense strategies for drug crimes in New Jersey are as varied as the charges themselves, and our resourceful drug crimes lawyers at Zegas Law know how to employ them all.  In some cases, we may be able to challenge how the prosecution obtained the evidence in your case and have that evidence excluded from consideration, which could result in your charges being dismissed or downgraded.  We can also challenge:

  • The reliability of any witnesses and physical evidence presented by the prosecution,
  • Whether the prosecution violated your constitutional rights at any point during the investigation, arrest or questioning phases,
  • Whether the evidence is sufficient to support the drug crime alleged,
  • Whether you possessed the required intent to distribute alleged by the prosecution.

We know that navigating the legal system when you’ve been charged with a drug crime can be frightening, and we also understand that good people make mistakes and we will advocate vigorously on your behalf throughout the entire legal process.

Contact the Hard-Hitting Criminal Defense Lawyers at Zegas Law to Discuss Possible Defense Strategies Today

When it comes to criminal defense lawyers, especially in the area of drug crimes, not all lawyers are created equally.  Unlike other firms that might try to resolve your case as quickly as possible to collect their fee, whether via accepting a plea or otherwise, we are committed to seeing your case through and will work tirelessly to ensure the best possible outcome based upon the unique facts and circumstances of your case.

If you have questions about pending drug crime charges or suspect that you are under investigation, call or contact us online today to discuss your legal options with a skilled North Jersey drug crimes lawyer.

Frequently Asked Questions About Drug Charges in New Jersey

FAQ: What are the potential penalties if I am convicted of a drug crime in New Jersey? 

The penalties for drug crimes vary dramatically and also vary based upon the classification of the drug involved.  For example, possession of more than one ounce of marijuana may be punishable as a third-degree crime carrying between three to five years in jail, while the distribution of heroin can be punished as a first-degree crime with up to 20 years’ in prison and half a million dollars in fines.

FAQ: How are drugs classified in New Jersey and how can the classification of the drug involved in my case impact my potential punishment? 

Drugs are classified according to schedules based upon the potential for abuse of the drug and whether the drug has any accepted medical use.  Schedule I drugs, such as heroin, acid and MDMA, are considered to present the highest potential for abuse and have no accepted medical use. Schedule II drugs, such as Oxycodone, Percocet, Morphine, Codeine, Methadone and Oxycontin, carry a high risk of abuse and dependence, but do have accepted medical uses.  Schedule IV drugs, on the other hand, carry a low potential for abuse and include drugs like Xanax and Ambien (Zolpidem). Because Schedule I drugs have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use, drug crimes involving these drugs are punishable with more severe penalties than drug crimes involving higher tiers.

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