Cocaine Possession

Lakewood NJ Cocaine Possession Lawyers

The demand for cocaine has experienced a resurgence over recent years and this has resulted in more and more possession charges. As the most populated municipality at this level, Lakewood NJ has as much cocaine possession as any community, if not more. The largest percentage of offenses involving this drug entail simple possession although there are quite a few individuals accused of cocaine distribution as well each year. If you had the unfortunate experience of being arrested for possession of cocaine anywhere in Ocean County, including Lakewood, Brick Township, Seaside Heights, Point Pleasant Beach, Jackson or Stafford, our attorneys are skilled advocates that can help you. Our team of criminal defense lawyers include former prosecutors from this county and experienced litigators who have been defending controlled dangerous substance possession charges at the Superior Court in Toms River for decades. Call our Toms River Office at (732) 265-6500 for immediate assistance if you were charged with a third degree crime for possession of cocaine anywhere in Ocean County. The consultation is free and a lawyer is available 24/7 to assist you.

Ocean County NJ Cocaine Possession

Snorting powder cocaine or smoking “rock” or crack results in a felony offense in New Jersey. The reason is because N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10 makes personal possession of any amount of this controlled dangerous substance a third degree crime. An indictable offense of this grade can only be handled in one place within this jurisdiction and that is at the County Courthouse in Toms River NJ. This is where your charge will be heard with the rare exception of an initial arraignment in municipal court.

The penalties in the event of conviction are severe. A violation of 2c:35-10 for possessing cocaine results in penalties that can include a fine of $35,000 and up to five (5) years in state prison. There is also a mandatory driver’s license suspension of at least six (6) months which applies. The period of revocation escalates to two (2) years if you possessed cocaine in a motor vehicle in Manchester or another town under N.J.S.A. 39:4-49.1 and are found guilty.

There are basically three ways that you can possess cocaine under New Jersey Law. The first way is if you possessed cocaine directly. What we mean by this is that the drug was found directly on your person, hand bag, pocket book, car, house or apartment. The second way to possess cocaine is constructively. This occurs where you have the ability and intention to take control over a controlled dangerous substance although it is not directly on your person. The most common scenario where this occurs is where several individuals are found in a structure (e.g. house or apartment) or in a truck, car or other motor vehicle where cocaine is found and it is unclear which individual(s) possessed it. The law of constructive possession renders anyone in the area guilty if they knew of the existence of the drug and had the ability and intent to take control over it. The third form of possession is joint. This arises where two or more individuals share ownership and/or control of the drug such as where they buy it together for the purpose of ingesting it. If you possessed powder or crack in any one of these forms, you may be found guilty under N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10 and face the jail time, fines, license suspension and other penalties set forth under the law.

Seaside Heights NJ Cocaine Possession Attorney

As the one time home of the MTV series “Jersey Shore” and the town often described as “partyville”, Seaside Heights is well acquainted with cocaine. Many individual are charged with possessing cocaine in summer rentals, hotels rooms, cars and in the many bars located throughout the borough. Similar issues arise in other local vacation destinations like Long Beach, Berkeley, Ocean Township, Ship Bottom and Barnegat. This offense clearly is not however one to be underestimated as a conviction for possessing cocaine can land you in jail for as much as five years. The potential fine is likewise significant and can reach $35,000. With consequences as serious as these in play, you need to contact an experienced Seaside Heights NJ Cocaine Possession Attorney immediately. Our law firm, Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall, is filled with skilled lawyers that make up a staff that possesses over 100 years of experience defending charges at the Toms River Superior Court and throughout Ocean County. Call us now at (732) 286-6500 if you were arrested and charged with cocaine possession.

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