East Brunswick Drug Crime Attorney

East Brunswick Drug Defense Lawyer

Law enforcement and prosecutors rigorously enforce drug laws throughout New Jersey, and the town of East Brunswick is no exception. East Brunswick is a township in Middlesex County, New Jersey. The town is located close to both Newark and New York City, and it has a population of almost 50,000 people. East Brunswick has a sizeable police department, and that department boasts a Special Investigations Unit that has made a number of significant drug busts in recent years, including a 2018 drug bust at the East Brunswick Hilton Hotel that recovered over $450,000 of cocaine and marijuana.

If you have been charged with a drug crime in East Brunswick, there are some critical things you should know. Depending on the specific drug charges you’re facing, you may find yourself in municipal or superior court. Understanding what happens and what consequences are possible when arrested for drugs in East Brunswick is crucial. For more information and to speak with an experienced attorney about the specific facts of your case, contact our local East Brunswick drug defense lawyers at (732) 659-9600 today.

Drug Charges in East Brunswick, NJ

There are several drug offenses that are commonly prosecuted in East Brunswick. These include “simple possession” of a controlled dangerous substance, possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Each of these charges is explained in greater detail below.

Arrested for Drug Possession in East Brunswick

New Jersey statutes, particularly N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10, criminalize the possession of “controlled dangerous substances.” Police officers in East Brunswick aggressively investigate and prosecute drug possession cases. Controlled dangerous substances include “heavy” Schedule I drugs like heroin, methamphetamine, PCP, and cocaine, along with some opiates, “roofies” that include GHB, cannabis, MDMA, some benzodiazepines, and many others types of drugs.

The severity of the drug possession charge that you may face will depend on the type and quantity of drugs that police find in your possession. For example, if you possess less than 50 grams of marijuana, you may face a disorderly persons offense (similar to a misdemeanor offense in other states, but still a potentially serious criminal charge). On the other hand, if East Brunswick police catch you with even a comparatively small amount of heroin or cocaine, you may be charged with an indictable offense (also known as a felony), which can expose you to years in prison and tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines.

Accused of Possession with Intent to Distribute in East Brunswick

If East Brunswick police arrest you and find not only controlled dangerous substances on your person (or in your home, your car, or similar locations) but also packaging and weighing materials and other evidence of drug distribution, you may be charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute. You may even be charged with a possession with intent to distribute crime based on simply having a large quantity of drugs, even if East Brunswick police do not find packaging materials or the like. These charges are almost always serious indictable offenses, with the degree of the offense depending on the drug at issue and the amount of that drug allegedly found in your possession. The consequences for a possession with intent to distribute conviction in East Brunswick or anywhere else in New Jersey can be incredibly severe.

Charged with Drug Paraphernalia in East Brunswick, New Jersey

There are a number of other drug-related charges that East Brunswick police officers can recommend to prosecutors if you are arrested for drug possession. One of the most common such additional drug charges is possession of drug paraphernalia, which is criminalized by New Jersey Revised Statute 2C:36-1. If you possess, for example, rolling papers, pipes, bongs, cutting agents, needles, or other similar items, East Brunswick police may charge you with a disorderly persons offense for possession of drug paraphernalia.

Have a Drug Case in East Brunswick, Which Court do I go to?

When charged with a disorderly persons drug offense in East Brunswick, you will have to go to East Brunswick Municipal Court. While if you are facing felony drug charges (for an indictable crime), your case will be handled in the Middlesex County Superior Court, which is located in nearby New Brunswick. As a general rule, you are much better off appearing in a municipal court than a superior court if you are arrested on a drug charge in East Brunswick or elsewhere in New Jersey. Indictable offenses are heard in Superior Court, and your chances for receiving a downgraded charge, a favorable plea bargain, or drug diversion are all reduced in that type of Superior Court proceeding. Municipal courts, on the other hand, typically handle less serious disorderly persons offenses that may afford you a greater chance of taking advantage of Pretrial Intervention or drug diversion.

Get help from a Local East Brunswick Drug Defense Attorney

If you are arrested and charged with a drug crime in East Brunswick, you should find a local criminal defense lawyer who has experience practicing in East Brunswick and Middlesex County. Our team is here for you. We appear in East Brunswick and Middlesex County courts every week and our focus is only criminal defense in order to provide the best representation. Call (732) 659-9600 or contact us online to get more tailored legal guidance based on the specific facts of your case.