NEW JERSEY CRIMINAL LAWYERS

NJ DISTRIBUTION IN A SCHOOL ZONE

Charged with Drug Selling in Camden NJ School Zone? Let Our Expert Attorneys at The Spodek Law Group Help You
If you’re caught distributing or selling controlled dangerous substances (CDS) within 1,000 feet of a school property in Camden County, you face a separate criminal offense under N.J.S.A. 2C:35-7, also known as a school zone charge. This charge comes with severe penalties and is in addition to any distribution violation that you may have committed according to N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5 for selling heroin, cocaine, marijuana or other illegal drugs.
In New Jersey, distributing drugs within 1,000 feet of school property is charged as a third-degree crime that could lead to lengthy prison sentences and other penalties. The period of parole ineligibility directly depends on the type of CDS involved in the violation. Fortunately, our experienced attorneys can help mitigate charges and avoid potential penalties like prison time.
N.J.S.A. 2C:35-7 outlines how this drug distribution offense works within a school zone. Specifically, it means being caught selling drugs within 1,000 feet owned by the school or a leasing board and used for educational purposes. Should such violations occur with less than an ounce of marijuana involved; the minimum term fixed at or between one-third to one-half your sentence imposed is either one year or dependent on whichever turns out higher during your parole ineligibility period.
For all other controlled dangerous substances like heroin and cocaine, the minimum term is fixed at or between one-third to one-half your sentence imposed is either three years or dependent on whichever turns out higher during your parole ineligibility period too. Note that if drug-related crimes take place inside a school bus or building premises while individuals use violence including carrying firearms; the court will not waive the parole ineligibility demands under this law.
A whopping fine of up to $150,000 must be paid under N.J.S.A. 2C:35-7 for such violations, but we provide legal expert assistance in these cases. For instance, the court may waive or lower the minimum term of parole ineligibility granted to you when it deems fit.
The court considers previous criminal records and the nature of such offenses alongside school property proximity; including distance and children’s vulnerability to drug-induced activities. It also takes into account whether the violation occurred during school hours and if any children were present when the crime was committed.
Furthermore, an authorized defense is available when there are no minors involved in drug activities that happen entirely within a private residence.
Our team at The Spodek Law Group understands how catastrophic a conviction for distributing or selling CDS within a school zone can be. We have highly skilled attorneys with years of experience as former prosecutors who will represent your interest effectively throughout the legal process. We build strong cases and explore every possible outcome that could exonerate our clients even based on invalid warrants, searches, unwarranted traffic stops or other legal grounds.
With over a century of combined knowledge dealing with complex drug-related charges such as heroin, marijuana, cocaine and other substances cases, our clients’ rights remain protected under all circumstances. Contact us today for a free consultation with one of our experienced attorneys if you face such serious offenses in Pennsauken, Bellmawr, Gloucester Township or Camden areas alongside your loved ones if necessary. Let our experts assist you now!