NEW JERSEY CRIMINAL LAWYERS

Secaucus Drug Possession Lawyers

Defend Yourself Against Drug Possession Charges in Secaucus

Don’t face drug possession charges alone in Secaucus, New Jersey. Drug possession charges are serious offenses that carry fines and jail time. The type of drug you possess will determine whether your charge is classified as an indictable offense or disorderly persons offense. The severity level also determines what penalties may be imposed if convicted.

The first step is to contact a skilled Secaucus drug defense attorney as soon as possible. The sooner you seek legal representation, the more time they will have to build a strong defense for you. An experienced drug defense attorney will know how to challenge the evidence against you and get the charges reduced or dismissed entirely. Protect yourself from harsh consequences by contacting an attorney today.

Types of Drug Possession Charges in New Jersey

In New Jersey, there are five degrees of drug offenses: first degree (the most serious), second degree, third degree, fourth degree, and fifth degree (the least serious). The type of drug involved determines whether your charge is classified as an indictable or disorderly person’s offense. Each has its own set of possible penalties for conviction.

A person charged with possession for personal use faces the same penalty regardless of the amount possessed or type of drug; however, even this misdemeanor charge carries up to six months in jail and a fine up to $1,000. If convicted on a more severe drug possession charge involving any other controlled dangerous substance (CDS) – including marijuana – you could face much harsher consequences ranging from three to twenty years imprisonment depending on how much CDS was found and what it was used for by law enforcement officers during their investigation into your activities leading up to your arrest.

Controlled Dangerous Substances

In New Jersey, drug possession laws target controlled dangerous substances (CDS), which include both illegal and legal drugs. Illegal drugs are classified into five schedules based on their potential for abuse or addiction and whether they have any recognized medical use in the United States:

Schedule I

Includes heroin, LSD, peyote, and marijuana. These drugs have a high potential for abuse but no currently accepted medical use in the U.S.

Schedule II

Includes cocaine, methamphetamine (meth), oxycodone (OxyContin), and fentanyl. These drugs have a high potential for both abuse and dependence but can be used medicinally under certain circumstances with strict controls by government authorities due to the severe risk of overdose associated with them.

Schedule III

Includes anabolic steroids such as testosterone propionate marketed as Delatestryl or Depo-Testosterone; barbiturates like pentobarbital sodium marketed as Nembutal; ketamine hydrochloride sold under brand names Ketaset or Ketalar; phencyclidine (PCP); pregabalin marketed as Lyrica.

Schedule IV

Includes drugs with a low potential for abuse and high acceptability for medicinal use like alprazolam (Xanax) and diazepam (Valium).

Schedule V

Reserved for drugs with the lowest potential for abuse and highest acceptability for medicinal use like cough syrups with small amounts of codeine.

Defending Secaucus Drug Possession Charges

If you’re facing drug possession charges in Secaucus, do not hesitate to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney who can help protect your rights. A skilled attorney will know exactly how to attack the prosecution’s case and will work tirelessly to get the charges reduced or dismissed entirely.

In some cases, a drug possession charge can also result in the loss of your driver’s license. Protect yourself from harsh consequences like jail time, fines, or losing your driver’s license by hiring an experienced criminal defense attorney who can help you fight back against these charges.

The way to avoid these penalties is to hire an experienced criminal defense attorney who can help you fight the charges. An attorney will be able to review the evidence against you and identify any weaknesses in the prosecution’s case. They can also negotiate with the prosecutor for a reduced charge or sentence.

New Jersey’s Federal Drug System

New Jersey follows the federal drug system by classifying drugs into five CDS schedules, each with different punishments. The five schedules are:

Schedule I

These drugs have a high potential for abuse and no currently accepted medical use like heroin, LSD, and MDMA.

Schedule II

Drugs with a high potential for abuse but also have some accepted medical uses like cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl.

Schedule III

Drugs with lower potential for abuse than Schedule II drugs but still have some accepted medical uses like anabolic steroids and some forms of codeine.

Schedule IV

Drugs with low potential for abuse and high acceptability for medical use such as alprazolam (Xanax) and diazepam (Valium).

Schedule V

Reserved for drugs with lowest potential for abuse and highest acceptability for medicinal use like cough syrups containing small amounts of codeine.

Conclusion

Drug possession charges come with serious consequences that include fines or jail time in Secaucus, NJ. Contact an experienced drug defense attorney as soon as possible to contest your charges. With their guidance and expertise, you can work towards reducing your sentencing or having your charges dismissed entirely.