Legal Blog
Caught With Marijuana in New Jersey?
Author Clark & Noonan, LLC
Posted June 15, 2017
Category Drug Charges
Wall New Jersey Criminal Defense Attorneys serving Monmouth County, Ocean County, Middlesex County and all surrounding NJ areas.
Marijuana may be legal in some parts of the United States, but it is still a controlled dangerous substance (CDS) by federal law. New Jersey legalized medical marijuana in 2010, but New Jersey officials can and do prosecute those who use marijuana illegally. Criminal charges for marijuana possession carry different penalties than marijuana distribution charges.
Possession of Marijuana
Your potential jail sentence and fine heavily depends on the amount of marijuana you had in your possession at the time of your arrest. If you had less than 50 grams of marijuana, you could face up to a 6-month jail sentence and be fined up to $1,000. If you had more than 50 grams, your sentence could go up to 18 months, and you could be fined up to $25,000. Although, you may be eligible for a conditional discharge or for entry into the pretrial intervention program if this was your first offense.
Marijuana Distribution and Intent to Distribute
You could be charged with possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute if you were caught with a large amount of the CDS. Police officers also look for other signs of distribution such as:
- Scales
- Plastic baggies
- Large cash amounts
The criminal charges for marijuana distribution and intent to distribute are severe and can forever change your life. You could be facing anywhere from 18 months to 10 years in jail for your drug crime.
Sometimes the circumstances behind your arrest can be deemed unconstitutional. Our criminal defense lawyers can determine whether the police conducted an illegal search and seizure or failed to follow proper protocols. We have a unique advantage when it comes to criminal defense as our lawyers served as prosecutors for many years.
If you’ve been charged with drug possession or distribution in New Jersey, please call our lawyers in Jersey City today at 732-333-3011 to schedule your consultation. Clark & Noonan, LLC serves clients in Jersey City, Freehold, Essex, Hudson and Monmouth County, New Jersey.
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