Passaic County NJ Juvenile Drug Charges Lawyer

Juvenile and Student Defense Attorney in Totowa and Denville New Jersey

NJ Juvenile Drug Charges LawyerAccording to the U.S. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, there were 112,600 juveniles (under the age of 18) arrested for drug abuse violations in the United States in 2014. Of course, this does not include the hundreds of thousands of young adults who were arrested for drug crimes on college campuses. In New Jersey, drug crimes can involve marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and other illegal controlled dangerous substances, as well as prescription medications. The specific nature of these offenses is similarly variably, ranging from possession to distribution, possession in a motor vehicle, possession of drug paraphernalia, and drug trafficking. Drug crimes can also overlap with other offenses, such as weapons crimes. In fact, the New Jersey Criminal Code contains a statute that addresses the possession of a firearm while committing a drug offense, also known as a “Drugs and Guns” violation. When you are charged with any drug crime as a juvenile or young adult in New Jersey, you face serious consequences in the short and long-term. To protect your freedom and your innocence, it is highly advisable to have an experienced New Jersey drug charges defense attorney on your side.

Alissa Hascup is a highly skilled criminal defense attorney who has represented thousands of juveniles and young adults charged with drug crimes in New Jersey. From Passaic to Bergen, and Essex to Morris counties, she vigorously defends college students from universities like Fairleigh Dickinson, Montclair State, and Rutgers, as well as high school students and other young adults. Ms. Hascup’s former positions as a Municipal Prosecutor and Assistant County Prosecutor informs her highly effective strategies when defending her clients. Now, she leverages her unique insight into the way the State constructs its case to achieve superior outcomes in courts in Fort Lee, Jersey City, Parsippany, Madison, and across New Jersey. To discuss your case with Ms. Hascup today, contact her offices at 862-257-1200 for a cost-free initial consultation.

Drug Charges for Juveniles and Students in New Jersey

As mentioned previously, juveniles and young adults can be charged with a vast array of drug offenses, including: possession, distribution, possession with intent to distribute, distribution, manufacture, transfer, and trafficking. These offenses are distinct in their evidentiary requirements, as well their potential penalties if the defendant is ultimately found guilty. Notably, possession is further delineated among “actual” and “constructive” forms. Actual and constructive possession can be understood as follows:

  • Actual Possession: Occurs when the defendant has the substance on his or her person. For example, if drugs are found in your pockets, socks, or wallet, this is considered actual possession.
  • Constructive Possession: Occurs when the defendant is aware of the substance, has the ability to exercise control over it, and an intention to exercise control over it. For example, if you and your friends are in a car and a police officer finds drugs, each person in the car can be charged with drug possession because you are considered to have constructive possession of the drug.

New Jersey Drug Schedules

Drug crimes also vary in degrees of severity based on the specific substance involved in the offense. New Jersey classifies controlled dangerous substances in the New Jersey Controlled Dangerous Substances Act, also known as the NJ Drug Schedules. There are five schedules, each of which has unique features. Drugs are placed within these schedules based on several factors, including: their potential for abuse, whether or not they have an accepted use in medical treatment, and their potential to lead to physical or mental dependence.

The NJ Drug Schedules are as follows:

  • Schedule I Drugs: Have a high potential for abuse; and have no accepted medical use in treatment in the United States; or lack accepted safety for use in treatment under medical supervision. Common examples include marijuana, heroin, and MDMA (aka. Ecstacy, Molly).
  • Schedule II Drugs: Have a high potential for abuse; currently have accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, or currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions; and abuse may lead to severe psychic or physical dependence. Common examples include cocaine, morphine, and Oxycodone.
  • Schedule III Drugs: Have a potential for abuse less than the substances listed in Schedules I and II; currently have accepted medical use in treatment in the United States; and abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence. Common examples include “acid” and Ketamine.
  • Schedule IV Drugs: Have a low potential for abuse relative to the substances listed in Schedule III; currently have accepted medical use in treatment in the United States; and may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to the substances listed in Schedule III. Common examples include Valium and Xanax.
  • Schedule V Drugs: : Have low potential for abuse relative to the substances listed in Schedule IV; currently have accepted medical use in treatment in the United States; and (3) have limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to the substances listed in Schedule IV. Common examples include some cough syrups and smaller amounts of drug in Schedules I, II, III, and IV.

Juvenile Drug Possession Defense Lawyer in Denville NJ

Alissa Hascup regularly defends juveniles and young adults charged with:

Contact a Totowa NJ Juvenile Drug Charges Attorney Today

If you or your child has been charged with a drug crime in New Jersey, contact the offices of Alissa Hascup to discuss your case and find the answers to your questions. With centralized locations in Denville and Totowa, we appear in courts across the state to fight for the rights of our clients. Simply call 862-257-1200 today to receive your cost-free consultation.