New Jersey School Zone Drug Charge Attorney
New Jersey Drug Crime Lawyer Assists Clients Facing School Zone Drug Possession Charges and School Zone Drug Distribution Charges in Burlington County, Camden County, Gloucester County, and Throughout New Jersey
New Jersey is tough on drug crimes. And the Garden State imposes additional penalties against any individual who is in possession of a controlled dangerous substance (CDS) in a school zone. New Jersey statutes are intended to protect children against the dangers inherent in drug use. If you or a loved one has been charged with school zone drug possession or school zone drug distribution, your penalties likely include a mandatory minimum jail time if you are convicted. New Jersey’s additional criminal penalties for possession or distribution of illegal drugs apply if the alleged act occurs within 1,000 feet of school property. If you are facing charges, you need a New Jersey school zone drug charge attorney on your side.
Facing Charges For School Zone Drug Possession And Have Questions? I Can Help, Tell Me What Happened.
Drug crimes in New Jersey are serious. And a skilled, vigorous defense of a school zone drug charge is the only way to reach a favorable outcome in your case. Experience matters in these cases. And New Jersey school zone drug charge attorney John B. Brennan brings more than 30 years of criminal trial experience to each and every case. Attorney Brennan served as a prosecutor for 25 years, a role that enables him to see a criminal case from the other side’s perspective and, as such, to anticipate and thwart their arguments. The Law Office of John B. Brennan assists clients facing school zone drug possession charges and school zone drug distribution charges in Burlington County, Camden County, Gloucester County, and throughout New Jersey.
Top-Rated Drug Charge Attorney Has More Than 30 Years of Experience As a Criminal Trial Attorney And A Demonstrated Track Record of Success
New Jersey’s drug-free school zone law, statute N.J.S.A. 2C:35-7, addresses drug offenses that are committed on or near school grounds. This law applies to anyone who is guilty of distributing, dispensing, or possessing with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance (CDS) in a school zone.
A “school zone” is defined as a location that is:
- On school property
- On property that is used for school purposes
- Within 1,000 feet of school property
- Within 1,000 feet of a school bus
- On any school bus
New Jersey laws add additional penalties when drug possession or distribution occurs in a school zone. Possession or distribution of a CDS in a school zone is considered a third degree offense and penalties include a mandatory prison sentence — one-third to one-half of the sentence must be served with no possibility for parole. If you are convicted of a school zone drug charge, you may also face a fine of $150,000.
As is true in all criminal cases, the prosecution bears the burden of proof. The prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant did, in fact, distribute, dispense, or possess a CDS with the intent to distribute the drug. The prosecution must also demonstrate that the alleged crime occurred in a “school zone”, as defined by law. If, however, the location of the alleged crime is not regularly used for school purposes, then a skilled New Jersey school zone drug charge attorney may use that as part of the defense.
Get Advice From An Experienced School Zone Drug Possession Lawyer. All You Have To Do Is Call 856-988-5443 To Receive Your Free Case Evaluation.
Facing A School Zone Drug Charge In New Jersey? Learn How The Experienced New Jersey School Zone Drug Charge Attorney At The Office of John B. Brennan Can Help Your Case
Drug crimes themselves are a serious business in New Jersey, the state with the harshest drug laws. Add to that offense that a drug possession charge or drug distribution charge took place on school property or in a school zone and you are facing enhanced penalties on top of the stiff penalties you were already facing under New Jersey’s drug laws.
New Jersey school zone drug charge attorney John B. Brennan at The Law Office of John B. Brennan has decades of criminal trial experience. Having spent 25 years as a prosecutor, attorney Brennan draws on his first-hand knowledge of prosecutorial strategies and tactics to develop strong, tailored defenses for his clients.
The Law Office of John B. Brennan offers a free, no obligation case evaluation for individuals charged with possessing or distributing drugs in a school zone. Get answers to your questions, receive a review of the case against you, and learn how The Law Office of John B. Brennan can help your case. Schedule your free, confidential consultation today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Facing A School Zone Drug Charge
In New Jersey, possession or distribution of a controlled dangerous substance (CDS) in a school zone is considered a third degree offense and penalties include a mandatory prison sentence — one-third to one-half of the sentence must be served with no chance of parole.
The answer to this question lies in reasonableness. If it can be demonstrated in court that an individual would reasonably know that the property in question was owned by a school, then the property is presumed to be a school property. So merely stating that you were unaware that the property was within a school zone is not a defense of the charge. The property must be used regularly and consistently for school purposes in order to be considered school property. If a town owns a municipal field that is occasionally used for school sporting events, that property is not considered to be school property.
No. New Jersey’s “drug free school zones” do not include colleges and universities because New Jersey’s laws surrounding drug crimes and schools are designed to protect children under the age of 18 years.