Mercer County Drug Crime Lawyer
Drug Charge Attorney in Mercer County, NJ, Defending Clients Charged With Possession, Distribution, or Trafficking of Controlled Substances in Hamilton, Trenton, Ewing, Princeton, and Throughout Central Jersey
New Jersey law takes drug offenses seriously. Whether you’re accused of distributing a controlled substance or just possessing enough for personal use—whether the drug in question is heroin, cocaine, or prescription painkillers—you’re facing consequences as serious as jail time and the long-term effects of a criminal record. To confront these charges strategically, you need the guidance and unwavering dedication of a Mercer County drug crime lawyer at The Law Office of John B. Brennan.
Drug charges are common, but they’re also commonly underestimated. Depending on the circumstances, a drug offense conviction can cost you your freedom, your financial stability, and your future opportunities, both personally and professionally. With an effective defense, it’s possible to achieve a favorable outcome to this legal trouble. Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation.
Types of Drug Charges My Law Firm Handles in Mercer County, NJ
In New Jersey, drug-related offenses range from having unlawful controlled substances on your person to trafficking drugs in organized crime rings. You can even face serious charges if a drug that you are accused of furnishing to someone else resulted in a death.
I defend clients facing charges that include:
- Simple possession of an unlawful drug, an improperly obtained drug, or a prohibited amount of a drug that has been legalized (such as marijuana)
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
- Possession with the intent to distribute, which often arises out of having quantities of drugs that exceed certain amounts or equipment such as scales and packaging materials
- Distribution of controlled substances, which includes selling, trading, or giving away drugs
- Drug trafficking, which generally applies when you’re accused of distributing large amounts of controlled substances
- Federal charges arising out of drug distribution or trafficking that crosses state lines
- School zone drug charges, which carry enhanced penalties compared to committing the same violations elsewhere
- Prescription fraud charges, in which you’re accused of using deception of some kind to illegally acquire controlled substances that are available only by prescription without having a valid prescription for them
- Drug induced death charges under N.J. Statute § 2C:35-9, which allows for strict liability for overdose deaths
In New Jersey, drug charges can arise out of the manufacture, possession, or distribution of numerous types of controlled substances. A drug charge attorney in Mercer County, NJ, knows the nuances of laws involving each type of substance and how to defend clients effectively against:
- Mercer County cocaine charges
- Mercer County ecstasy charges
- Mercer County heroin charges
- Mercer County narcotics distribution charges
- Mercer County prescription drug charges
Legal issues arising out of drug-related offenses affect defendants in a variety of age groups. In addition to helping adult offenders fight back against the harsh penalties imposed under the traditional criminal court system, I also serve young clients facing juvenile drug charges that can lead them down the wrong path.
Areas Served in Mercer County, NJ
As a dedicated Mercer County drug crime lawyer, I defend clients facing criminal charges in:
- Hamilton Township
- Trenton
- Ewing Township
- Lawrence Township
- Princeton
- East Windsor
- West Windsor
- Hopewell Township
- Robbinsville Township
- Hightstown
- Pennington
- Hopewell Borough
In Mercer County, numerous factors contribute to drug crimes and the enforcement of drug-related statutes. For example, despite historically having a relatively high per capita income, Mercer County also sees its share of economic challenges, with more than 10% of its population living in poverty, according to the United States Census Bureau.
Substance misuse is a significant enough concern in this area that it has given rise to an Office on Addiction Services within the Mercer County Department of Human Services, a Local Advisory Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, and the nonprofit Mercer Council on Alcoholism and Drug Addiction. Despite this focus on substance abuse rehabilitation services, criminal charges pertaining to drug possession and distribution can and do lead to harsh consequences that can impact defendants for a lifetime.
Why You Need a Knowledgeable Drug Charge Attorney in Mercer County, NJ
While some drug-related convictions carry comparably minor penalties, others are life-altering. Even disorderly persons charges could send you to county jail for up to six months, as well as impose a fine of up to $1,000. From there, the potential penalties only get more severe.
For indictable drug offenses, penalties vary based on the degree of the offense. More serious violations, such as drug trafficking and conspiracy, could result in multiple years—or potentially even decades—of incarceration, as well as fines in the six-figure range or potentially even higher, amounting to $1 million or more.
Trying to represent yourself leaves you vulnerable to the full extent of potential penalties, without the legal knowledge needed to:
- Challenge unlawful procedures
- Introduce evidence and arguments in your defense
- Assess whether an offered plea bargain benefits you
- Present mitigating factors
- Explore eligibility for alternatives such as the Pretrial Intervention Program
To develop the strongest possible defense for your case, you need the resources and experience of a dedicated Mercer County drug crime lawyer. I pursue outcomes both inside and outside the courtroom that benefit my clients and have achieved results that include:
- Complete dismissal of charges
- Suppression of improperly obtained evidence
- Reduction of charges
- Negotiation for lesser sentences through plea deals
- Not-guilty verdicts at trial
- Participation in the Pretrial Intervention Program that allows you to avoid a conviction
- Lesser sentences through the effective introduction of mitigating circumstances
My law firm is here to fight for the accused, standing up against drug charges and ensuring you receive the full protections you’re entitled to under state and federal law.
How The Law Office of John B. Brennan Can Help
My law firm is here for you at every stage of the legal process. I represent clients from their initial arraignment through all motions, court appearances, hearings, negotiations with the prosecutor, and trial. Through hard work and informed strategies, I gather evidence and develop effective defenses tailored to each client’s specific situation. Facing drug charges can be intimidating, but the guidance and reassurance my firm provides allows you to minimize the consequences of this legal issue on your future.
Why Choose a Mercer County Drug Crime Lawyer at The Law Office of John B. Brennan?
The Law Office of John B. Brennan is known for the insider experience only a former prosecutor has, a record of favorable results for clients, and the highly sought-after Certified Criminal Trial Attorney credential.
Decades of Experience as a Former Prosecutor
For 25 years of his career, attorney John Brennan served as a prosecutor, building criminal cases against the accused. This experience has given him the unique perspective of an insider, understanding exactly how prosecutors approach case preparation, plea deal negotiation, and trial presentation. With this knowledge, my law firm is equipped to expose weaknesses in the case against you and achieve advantageous outcomes.
A Proven Record of Results in Criminal Defense
Since focusing his career on criminal defense, The Law Office of John B. Brennan has cultivated an impressive record of success in securing favorable resolutions for clients. I have gotten cases dismissed, charges reduced, and penalties lessened through smart and strong legal representation, as well as putting forth effective arguments at trial to acquire not-guilty verdicts. I always pursue the outcome that’s most favorable for my clients based on their unique circumstances.
Status as a Certified Criminal Trial Attorney
I am willing to fight for clients in court. As a Certified Criminal Trial Attorney—one of fewer than 250 legal practitioners that the state Supreme Court has designated as Certified Criminal Trial Attorneys in the State of New Jersey—I have proven my skill and knowledge through a written examination, evaluations by others in the legal community, demonstration of substantial experience in criminal trial law, and a commitment to continuing legal education.
Contact a Mercer County Drug Crime Lawyer at The Law Office of John B. Brennan Today for a Free, Confidential Consultation
Taking a drug charge seriously means retaining experienced legal counsel from the start. My law firm provides aggressive representation to clients facing criminal charges across Mercer County and beyond. I begin each case with a free, confidential consultation and go on to provide the comprehensive legal support you need for every stage of the criminal justice process.
For help from a drug charge attorney in Mercer County, NJ, contact The Law Office of John B. Brennan online or call 856-446-5123 today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Drug Crimes in Mercer County, NJ
In NJ, a drug charge can be serious enough to result in jail time and steep fines. The severity of the penalties you could be facing depends on the exact charges against you. Generally, possession of an amount of a drug that is considered to constitute personal use is a less serious offense than distribution, which is still less severe than large-scale trafficking.
The penalties a court imposes aren’t the only consequences of a drug crime. With a conviction on your criminal record for potential schools, employers, and landlords to see during background checks, you could face difficulties in gaining access to educational programs, career opportunities, and housing. A drug-related conviction can affect you in numerous ways, which is why it’s so important to fight for the most beneficial resolution possible.
In addition to presenting your case at trial and negotiating a plea deal with the prosecutor, one option that may be available to you in certain circumstances is the Pretrial Intervention, or PTI, Program. Under this program, you commit to meeting certain conditions that may include up to 36 months of supervision as well as random drug and alcohol testing, community service, financial penalties, and drug and alcohol evaluation and treatment. Upon successful completion of these conditions, you can get the charges against you dismissed.
Not everyone is eligible for the PTI Program, which aims to rehabilitate offenders rather than punish them. I can help you determine eligibility and apply for this program.
Depending on what exactly you’re charged with and the evidence against you, I may consider challenging the prosecution’s claims that the drugs were yours or that you had the intent to distribute them. I can challenge the legality of searches, the chain of custody of evidence, and any improper procedures or rights violations.
Yes, you should have a dedicated criminal defense attorney representing you when facing drug-related charges. Even if the violation you’re accused of hasn’t harmed anyone else, you could be facing serious penalties and long-lasting consequences, so it’s worth retaining skilled legal counsel to fight for you. With extensive experience, I am well-equipped to develop and present a strong defense designed to achieve the most favorable outcome possible in your case.