Juvenile Drug Crime Attorney in Mercer County

Trenton NJ Marijuana Juvenile Defense Lawyers

During their adolescent years kids are going to be pressured into do things, whether it be smoking marijuana, drinking alcohol, trespassing, vandalizing someone’s property etc. It is just a fact of life at this point in time that some kids are going to experiment with marijuana, which is a problem in and of itself. However the real problem comes when a juvenile is arrested and charged with possessing marijuana. If that is to occur, the juvenile will be forced to defend themselves in the family division of the county courthouse in the county where the juvenile resides. So, if the juvenile was arrested and charged with possessing marijuana, possessing cocaine or possessing marijuana with the intent to distribute in towns like HamiltonTrentonEwingHopewellRobbinsvillePrinceton, East Windsor or Pennington, then they will be forced to appear in the family division of the Mercer County Courthouse, which is located in Trenton, New Jersey. If your child or a loved one has been arrested and charged with a juvenile complaint it is crucial that you speak an experienced Mercer County juvenile criminal defense attorney as soon as possible about your options. A conviction for possessing marijuana could subject a juvenile to being detained in a juvenile detention center, fined in excess of $1,000, randomly drug tested, placed on probation, a lengthy licenses suspension and a find of being “adjudicated delinquent” (i.e. criminal conviction).

The Juvenile Criminal Justice System in New Jersey is run totally different than the Adult Criminal Justice System. Although the legal concepts and the statutes are the same, the underlying goals and they way in which they seek to prosecute the juveniles is completely different. The overall goal, at least for first time offenders, is to rehabilitate rather than throw them away and lock away the key. With that being said, if these offenses are not handled properly it could drastically affect the juvenile’s future. Being adjudicated as a juvenile delinquent, which is a fancy way of saying “convicted” could significantly affect the juvenile’s ability to be accepted into their dream college. If you would like to speak to one of our Mercer County juvenile criminal defense lawyers today about your options then please contact us at (609) 789-0779. Mr. Oliver, one of the firm’s founding partners, has being representing juveniles for almost a decade now. He has defended juveniles charged with offenses ranging from possession of marijuana and simple assault to carjacking, burglary and sexual assault. Our attorneys are well versed in the juvenile criminal justice system and are dedicated to making sure that one simple mistake does not ruin their future. If you have any questions whatsoever, please do not hesitate to ask. Now here is some information on marijuana possession and distribution charges.

Mercer County NJ Juvenile Drug Possession Lawyer

Having a loved one being charged criminal can be nerve wracking but having your child being charged can be absolutely devastating. If you find yourself in this unfortunate situation it is important that you hire an attorney who has experience representing juveniles. A juvenile can be charged and convicted of possessing marijuana even when do not physically have the marijuana on them. Meaning, the State can attempt to prove “possession” under either the constructive possession theory or the joint possession theory. This typically happens when a group of juveniles are pulled over and after a search is conduct of the vehicle some marijuana is found in a “common area” (i.e. floorboards, glove box, within the seat cushions). Now it is rare under these set of facts that someone actually takes responsibility for the marijuana but even if they do, most officers tend to charge everyone anyway and let the courts figure it out. In doing that though, it opens the door for an experienced juvenile drug possession defense attorney to attack the state’s proofs. If you would like to come into our office and discuss your options then please contact us at (609)789-0779. Here is a breakdown in the different degrees and the potential penalties if the juvenile is convicted.

Possession of Marijuana under 50 Grams: NJSA 2C:35-10a(4)

This is a Disorderly Persons Offense – NJ version of a Misdemeanor.

  • Up to 6 Months in a Juvenile Detention Center;
  • A Substantial Fine;
  • Fees & Assessments Ranging up to $725;
  • Up to a 6 Month Loss of Driver’s License or a Ban on getting one for 6 Months;
  • Adjudicated as a Delinquent – Criminal Record;

Possession of Marijuana over 50 Grams: NJSA 2C:35-10a(4)

This is a 4th Degree Felony.

  • Up to 1 Year in a Juvenile Detention Center / Jamesburg;
  • A Substantial Fine;
  • Fees & Assessments Ranging up to $975;
  • Up to a 6 Month Loss of Driver’s License or a Ban on getting one for 6 Months;
  • Adjudicated as a Delinquent – Criminal Record.

Any caught possession more than 50 grams will almost certainly be charged with either possessing marijuana with intent to distribute or distributing marijuana. The penalties and the likelihood that the prosecution is looking more towards punishing than rehabilitating. Here is a breakdown in the different degrees and potential penalties for any juvenile charged with possessing marijuana with the intent to distribute.

Marijuana Distribution / Manufacturing / Poss. w/ Intent – NJSA 2C:35-5

A 1st Degree Felony – The Marijuana possessed has to be more than 25 lbs. or more than 50 plants.

  • 4 Years in Jamesburg;
  • Fees & Assessments Ranging up to $3,250;
  • Substantial Fine;
  • Up to a 6 Month Loss of Driver’s License or a Ban on getting one for 6 Months;
  • Adjudicated as a Delinquent – Criminal Record.

A 2nd Degree Felony – The of Marijuana possessed has to be more than 5 lbs. but less than 25 lbs. or more than 10 marijuana plants but less than 50 marijuana plants.

  • 3 Years in Jamesburg;
  • Fees & Assessments Ranging up to $2,250;
  • A Substantial Fine;
  • Up to a 6 Month Loss of Driver’s License or a Ban on getting one for 6 Months;
  • Adjudicated as a Delinquent – Criminal Record.

3rd Degree Felony – The Marijuana possessed has to be  more than 1 ounce but less than 5 lbs.

  • 2 Years in Jamesburg
  • Fees & Assessments Ranging up to $1,250
  • Up to a 6 Month Loss of Driver’s License or a Ban on getting one for 6 Months
  • Adjudicated as a Delinquent – Criminal Record

A 4th Degree Felony – The Marijuana possessed was less than 1 ounce.

  • 1 Years in Jamesburg;
  • Fees & Assessments Ranging up to $975;
  • A Substantial Fine;
  • Up to a 6 Month Loss of Driver’s License or a Ban on getting one for 6 Months;
  • Adjudicated as a Delinquent – Criminal Record

As you can tell the potential penalties drastically increase when a juvenile is charged with the possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute. With all that being said, the juvenile criminal justice system does have a program known as a deferred disposition. So, depending on the underlying charges, a juvenile may be able to take advantage of this program. If applicable, the juvenile could be placed on a probationary period, and if term is completed without any issues, the pending charges would be outright dismissed. For more information on the the deferred disposition program please contact one of Princeton juvenile criminal defense attorneys at (609)789-0779.

Juvenile Marijuana Possession Lawyers in Hamilton NJ

If you or your child has been charged with a juvenile complaint in Mercer County the Keith Oliver Criminal Law can help. Our attorneys have been representing juveniles in courts throughout the area for years now. If you would like to speak to one of our attorneys one on one about your options then please contact us at (609) 789-0779. We are available around the clock to help assist in any way that we can. Our office serves all of Mercer County, including towns like West Windsor, Robbinsville, Hamilton, Trenton, Princeton, Lawrence and Hopewell.