New Jersey Drug and Weapon Charges Attorney
Knowledgeable Drug and Gun Defense Lawyer in Mount Laurel, NJ Skillfully Defends Clients Against Charges in Burlington County, Camden County, Gloucester County, and Throughout South Jersey
If you need a lawyer after being arrested for drug and gun charges in New Jersey, the skilled New Jersey drug and weapons charges attorney at the Law Office of John B. Brennan can help. Having guns and other weapons involved in drug crimes is highly common, and it is common for prosecutors to add to the charges and increase the penalties that you may face if there is evidence to show that you were involved in or committed crimes that involved guns and drugs. New Jersey has passed strict laws to severely punish those convicted of possessing a gun or a weapon while committing drug offenses, so contact our drug and gun defense lawyer in Mount Laurel, NJ today for a fighting chance at beating the gun and weapon charges you face.
Seeking an Accomplished Defender and Steadfast Representation by a Dedicated New Jersey Drug and Weapon Charges Attorney
NJ Rev Stat § 2C:39-4.1 (2013) contains the laws, definitions, and penalties for weapons, controlled dangerous substances, and other offenses in New Jersey. It states that it is a crime of the second degree to possess a firearm or other weapon while committing, attempting to commit, or conspiring to commit certain offenses, such as:
- Distributing controlled dangerous substances;
- Possessing a controlled dangerous substance with the intent to distribute;
- Maintaining or operating a drug production facility;
- Employing a juvenile in a drug distribution scheme;
- Distributing controlled dangerous substances within 1,000 feet of school property;
- Distributing drugs within 500 feet of public property.
These offenses can be upgraded to higher-level and more serious charges if they were performed with a weapon or if the perpetrator had possession of a weapon while committing them.
For second-degree charges involving the possession of guns and other weapons while distributing drugs, you can face between five and 10 years in prison, as well as fines of up to $150,000. Even if you are a first-time offender, because these charges come with a presumption of a prison sentence, you will most certainly be incarcerated if you are convicted.
Important Caveats and Circumstances Our New Jersey Drug and Weapon Charges Attorney Will Help You Understand
Many important facts and scenarios can either aggravate or lessen the charges you face. They can also determine the outcome of your case. Understanding these rules and situations and skillfully navigating them is why it is so important to have a proficient drug and gun defense lawyer in Mount Laurel, NJ to defend and represent you during all case proceedings.
Many New Jersey gun and drug laws were passed to reduce the violence associated with firearms and drug activities. Therefore, if you face drug and weapons charges, all the prosecution has to do is prove the presence of a weapon. You can be convicted of possession of a firearm even if intent is not proven. The same applies to combined drug and weapons charges, in which the prosecution can secure a conviction if it can simply be shown that certain drugs or controlled substances were simultaneously possessed when certain prohibited activities were committed.
For some crimes, consecutive sentences can help a convicted individual serve less time behind bars. This usually happens when a person commits multiple crimes and the judge opts to merge the charges. However, when it comes to drug and gun convictions, New Jersey state law explicitly forbids the courts from handing down concurrent sentences or merging charges because the intent behind the applicable laws is to eliminate the presence of guns and other weapons when it comes to drug crimes.
If You Need a Lawyer for Guns and Drug Charges in New Jersey, Call Our Drug and Gun Defense Lawyer in Mount Laurel, NJ Today
If you or someone you know is facing drug or weapons charges of any kind in New Jersey, you need to speak with our New Jersey drug and weapon charges attorney. With years of experience handling drug and weapons cases of all kinds and hands-on experience with the New Jersey criminal code and justice system, we can help you fight the charges you face while striving to dismiss or lower the charges and sentences available to the prosecution. Our goal is to help you get back to living a normal life, without the fear of sentences or penalties, and even without the stigma of charges, legal proceedings, or a criminal record. Do not hesitate to contact a compassionate and understanding New Jersey drug and weapon charges attorney at The Law Office of John B. Brennan today for assistance with your case.
Frequently Asked Questions About Drug and Weapon Charges in New Jersey
We will strive to discredit the arguments and evidence of the prosecution, and there are three key elements that the prosecution must demonstrate beyond any reasonable doubt for you to be convicted of drug and firearm charges. The first is that the incident in question involved a firearm, and the second is that the firearm was possessed by the accused. The third is that, at the time of your indictment, you were committing, attempting to commit, or conspiring to commit illegal activities defined in and governed by the applicable New Jersey laws. Any holes, weaknesses, or shortcomings in any part of the prosecution’s case against you in any of these three areas can be grounds for a dismissal of your charges or at least a lowering of the charges you face and the sentences that can be passed against you.
It depends on how your alleged crimes are classified. Second-degree crimes carry a presumption of incarceration and prison sentences of between five and 10 years. Third-degree crimes carry up to five years in prison if you are convicted. An experienced New Jersey drug and weapon charges attorney can help you fight the charges you face and will represent and defend you every step of the way, so call our drug and gun defense lawyer in Mount Laurel, NJ today for dedicated and reliable representation and guidance for your drug and weapon case.