Hunterdon County Drug Charges

Drug Charge Defense Lawyers in Flemington NJ

A drug arrest can result from allegations of possession, distribution or possession with intent to distribute in Hunterdon County. Drug charges are extremely common in Hunterdon County and can be particular life altering given the stiff nature of the New Jersey Drug Laws. The largest number of arrests are for possession of a controlled dangerous substance (“CDS”) as opposed to distribution or possession with intent to distribute. The consequences under either scenario can be dramatic given the penalties in the event of conviction.

Skilled representation is definitely required whenever someone is facing the penalties and collateral ramifications of a drug offense. An attorney who is accomplished in defending CDS charges  in the county can provide protection against a negative outcome and ensure that the accused has every opportunity to secure an acquittal, downgrade and/or diversion.

The attorneys at our firm have the qualities needed to mount a thorough and effective defense whether you are facing a basic possession case or a complex distribution offense. The defense team at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall has over 200 years of combined experience, includes former prosecutors that have served in roles like Director of Major Crimes, the Drug Task Force and the Trial Division. It also helps that we have been litigating drug/CDS charges throughout the Hunterdon County court system for decades with success.

Our lawyers defend cocaine, heroin, prescription, MDMA, LSD, marijuana, ecstasy and other drug charges throughout Hunterdon County New Jersey, including those arising in Flemington, Raritan, Readington, Clinton, Union Township, Franklin, Tewksbury, East Amwell and in other local municipalities.

To speak to a Hunterdon County drug defense lawyer immediately in a free initial consultation, call our Flemington Office at 908-824-0855.

Our Flemington Criminal Firm Defends All Hunterdon County Drug Charges

With the exception of cases involving a minor quantity of marijuana, hashish or a prescription legend drug, CDS offenses are a felony in New Jersey. What this means is that there is a high probability that you are facing a crime of the first degree, second degree, third degree or fourth degree at the Hunterdon County Superior Court in Flemington.  Our team is accomplished in defending all drug charges including, but not limited to, those involving:

  • Cocaine Possession
  • Cocaine Distribution
  • Marijuana Distribution
  • Marijuana Possession
  • Heroin
  • LSD
  • MDMA (a.k.a. Molly or Ecstasy)
  • Methamphetamine
  • Prescription Drugs like Xanax, Oxycodone/Oxycontin, Valium, Suboxone & Fentanyl
  • Maintaining a CDS Production Facility
  • Leader of a Narcotics Trafficking Network
  • Distribution in a School Zone
  • Distribution in a Public Park or Housing Project
  • Possession of a Firearm In Conjunction With CDS Activities
A conviction for a first degree crime involving CDS (e.g. distribution of 5 ounces of more of cocaine/heroin/methamphetamine, 100 milligrams or more of LSD or 25 pounds or more of marijuana) results in up to 20 years. A second degree crime (e.g. intent to distribute 100 or more doses of a prescription drug, 5-25 pounds of marijuana, etc.) carries 5-10 years in prison. The penalties for a drug crime of the third degree (e.g. possession of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, LSD, ecstasy or another Schedule I, II, III CDS) include up to 5 years in prison. You face up to 18 months in prison and a fine of $10,000 for a fourth degree CDS crime (e.g. possession of over 50 grams of marijuana, distribution of less than 5 doses of Xanax, Oxycontin, Suboxone or another prescription drug). Misdemeanor CDS charges, referred to as disorderly persons offenses, are dealt with in the municipal court of the town where the charge was filed. An individual can be sentenced in Clinton, Readington or another local municipality up to 6 months in the county jail for a disorderly persons offense for possession or use of CDS.
Our attorneys have a long history of success defending clients arrested for possession and distributing drugs. They will challenge the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office and other agencies to maximize your opportunity for a dismissal or an exceptional plea bargain.

Hunterdon County Drug Charges

There are many defenses and strategic approaches that a savvy Hunterdon County drug crime attorney can utilize to challenge the prosecutor’s case. Although a primary focus of a productive defense often focuses on issues of search and seizure, there are many avenues of attack to help someone in your shoes. The headings below outline some of the more common areas our attorneys exploit to help individuals who have been charged with a CDS offense.

  • Improper Motor Vehicle Stop. The police are required to possess reasonable suspicion of a motor vehicle violation and cannot simply stop you because you look shady or for some other bogus reason.
  • Basis For A Warrantless Search Was Lacking. The general rule is that police cannot conduct a search without a warrant. While there are exceptions to this rule, they are rather strict and mandate that the prosecutor demonstrate that there was probable cause to support the search and that securing a search warrant was unfeasible.
  • Search Warrant Was Defective. Detectives and other members of law enforcement are limited to the terms of a search warrant (e.g. they can only search areas set forth in the warrant). They also cannot rely on a search warrant that was issued improperly based on facts that are untrue.
  • Your Miranda Rights Were Violated.
  • The Confidential Informant Was Not Reliable. In many drug cases, especially those involving distribution or intent to distribute, a confidential informant is used. The law requires that the information provided by a “CI” be reliable or police action is invalid.
  • You Did Not Possess The Drugs/CDS. An individual must have actual physical possession of drugs or constructive possession in order to be convicted. Knowledge of the presence of the CDS is a fundamental component of either pedigree of possession.

It is important to be represented by a lawyer who is not only knowledgeable and skilled but also one who is committed to fighting for the very best result in your case. The defense lawyers on our staff will invest their full efforts until you achieve the outcome that is optimum.

The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall, 70 Church Street, Flemington, New Jersey, defends clients charged with possession, possession with intent to distribute and distribute of CDS in Hunterdon County, including those arrested in Readington, Flemington, Clinton Township, Raritan Township, East Amwell, Tewksbury, Lebanon, Union Township and Frankling Township.

An Experienced Raritan Township NJ Drug Attorney Is Ready To Assist You

Raritan Township is certainly near the top in terms of statistics for criminal charges in Hunterdon County annually so it naturally follows that there are plenty of individuals charged with possession, intent to distribute and other drug violations. Our firm is certainly well aware of this fact since our office is located in the municipality (i.e. Flemington address but located physically in Raritan Township). To discuss your CDS case with an attorney that has handled countless cocaine, heroin, LSD, ecstasy and other possession/distribution charges, call 908-824-0855.