New Jersey Controlled Substance and Drug Possession Laws
Certain drugs and other materials that the federal government regulates are categorized as controlled substances. Many times possession or use of these drugs may not be illegal depending on the circumstances such as medical research or obtained through a legal prescription. Although, if a substance or drug has absolutely no medical benefit, research purpose, or can cause harm to the public, possession or use of the drug becomes illegal.
Find out how experienced attorney John Tumelty can defend against drug and controlled substance charges for you.
Illegal Possession of a Controlled Substance in NJ
When a person has possession or ownership of a controlled substance or other drug without any legal authority to do so, it is deemed to be an “illegal possession”. If a person is found to be in possession of illegal drugs or even prescription medication, it may result in legal charges being brought against that person. In the case of prescription medication, it can be illegal to be in possession of the medication if it is not properly prescribed to the specific person in possession of the drug at the time.
If a person is found to be in possession of a large quantity of an illegal drug or controlled substance, they can be charged with possession with intent to sell. This can be a much more serious charge than possession alone and requires an experienced attorney to aggressively defend your case and get you the justice you deserve.
Normally, when someone is charged with possession with intent to distribute, it is based on the quantity of the substance in question along with other evidence that is used to prove that the defendant did indeed have the intent to sell the substance of which they were found to be in possession of, which can include large amounts of cash on hand or other packaging paraphernalia.
Often times, normal traffic violations or stops by the police are the leading cause of illegal drug or substance possession charges. In this scenario, police may find drugs or other paraphernalia and evidence of distribution of drugs. It is also possible for charges to arise due to illegal drugs found on the person of a passenger within the vehicle. This can therefore result in possession charges for the driver or owner of the vehicle. In this case, it must be proven that the driver or owner of the vehicle was aware of the substance within the vehicle or that it was in plain sight.
Contact an Experienced New Jersey Defense Attorney Today
Many times, people may be unaware of the severity of drug possession charges and may even be misinformed as to what the consequences of such charges can be without an experienced, professional attorney by their side. Attorney John Tumelty has years of experience and success dealing with illegal drug and substance possession charges, and he is a trusted advocate, proven to give credible and honest advice if his clients are facing such charges. Occasionally, it may be the case that the legality of a search that occured when the substance was found may come into question, which is something only a qualified lawyer has the experience and knowledge to properly utilize in your defense. In a case like this, Mr. Tumelty may be able to reduce or even eliminate chances of conviction.
It may be in your best interest to contact our firm as soon as possible so that we may gather every advantage possible for you and your defense. Call our office today, or fill out our online contact form to begin discussing your case during a free confidential consultation.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
