Mercer County, Marijuana Crimes

Legal Pot? Not! (Yet) Mercer County Marijuana Crime Defense Attorney

With strict exceptions for medical marijuana, the possession or distribution of marijuana is still very illegal in Mercer County - as it is throughout New Jersey. Operating from the state house in Trenton, in Mercer County, Governor Chris Christie is not a believer when it comes to legalizing recreational marijuana. That could change when the Christie regime ends in January of 2018, but for now, the possession and distribution of non-medical marijuana is illegal, and a conviction could lead to serious penalties in time and money, and a stain on your criminal record.

If you are being investigated or have been arrested for possession or distribution of marijuana, Mercer County marijuana crime attorney Tara Breslow-Testa is the first person you should talk to. Born, bred and educated (JD Rutgers) in New Jersey, Tara Breslow-Testa has experience on both sides of the bench and both sides of the aisle: Clerking for the Honorable Donald J. Volkert, Jr., serving as an Assistant Deputy Public Defender in Union County and then trial court in Monmouth County.

Now in private practice, Tara Breslow-Testa handles dozens of marijuana cases a year. She understands the philosophy of the New Jersey courts when it comes to drugs: prevent and rehabilitate where possible, punish where required.

When it comes to possession or distribution of marijuana, the New Jersey courts are lenient and forgiving until they are not. It is possible to have your case diverted to for a second chance, and it is also possible to be fined thousands of dollars and thrown in jail for years. For marijuana crimes in Mercer County, Tara Breslow-Testa is a lawyer who understands the system and has the skills to divert your case to Drug Court, or Pre-Trial Intervention, or have the charges dropped completely because of Probable Cause, Illegal Search and Seizure or other legal technicalities.

Police and courts make mistakes, the system is complex, but Tara Breslow-Testa has the skills to navigate you through it to safety.

For a free consultation, call Tara Breslow-Testa at (732) 784-2880.

Marijuana is a Schedule I Controlled Dangerous Substance

New Jersey categorizes Controlled Dangerous Substances into Schedule I - V, by their potential for abuse and damage. Marijuana has been proven to have medical uses, but marijuana is still a Schedule I drug, alongside acid, hashish, heroin, LSD, MDMA and psilocybin mushrooms.

Medical Marijuana is Legal, Recreational is Not

Medical marijuana has been legal in New Jersey since January 2010, courtesy of Governor Corzine’s S. 119 - New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act - legally allowing the use of medical cannabis for New Jerseyites suffering from a number of conditions.

Citizens with medical marijuana cards can buy cannabis products from “alternate treatment centers” in Montclair (2012), and Cranbury, Bellmawr, Egg Harbor Township and Woodbridge - with a sixth dispensary still waiting for approval as of March 2017.

It is a disorderly persons offense to forge a marijuana registry identification card and possession of more than two ounces of medical marijuana in a month is also illegal.

Defending marijuana crimes in Mercer County, Tara Breslow-Testa understands both sides of the law - medical and recreational - and she is who you want by your side to square off against aggressive prosecutors and judges who have heard and seen it all.

Recreational Marijuana - Not Yet Legal

New Jersey statutes N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5 detail punishments for possessing marijuana for personal use and also manufacturing and distribution. Offenses can be first, second, third or fourth degree, based on measured weight and/or number of plants associated with the offense.

Sample Penalties For Possession of Marijuana

Weight matters with marijuana and determine whether an offense is first, second, third or fourth degree.

• It is a First Degree Crime to possess marijuana 25 pounds of marijuana or more; 50 or more marijuana plants; or 5 pounds or more of hashish – punishable by a sentence to serve between 10 and 20 years in New Jersey State Prison and a fine of up to $300,000.
• It is a Fourth Degree crime to possess less than 1 ounce of marijuana: the sentence is a maximum of up to 18 months in New Jersey State Prison and a maximum fine of $10,000.

Sample Penalties for the Distribution or Possession With Intent to Distribute

Tara Breslow-Testa is an attorney defending marijuana crimes in Mercer County who understands that selling or distributing marijuana is dealt with harshly by the New Jersey courts.

• It is a fourth degree crime to sell or distribute less than one ounce of marijuana, carrying a maximum sentence of 18 months in New Jersey State Prison and a $25,000 maximum fine.
• It is a first degree crime to sell or distribute 25 pounds or more of marijuana, punishable by 10 to 20 years in prison and a $300,000 maximum fine - a mandatory minimum sentence, although there are exceptions allowed under the law.
• It is a third degree crime to sell any amount of marijuana within 1,000 feet of a school property or school bus, carrying a sentence of 3 to 5 years in New Jersey State prison and a $150,000 maximum fine.
• It is a felony to sell marijuana to minors under the age of 18, or pregnant women - the result is a doubling of the prison sentence and fine.

Better Call Tara

New Jersey state marijuana laws might change after January 2018, but for now, the possession or distribution if marijuana is highly illegal. The philosophy of New Jersey courts is: Rehabilitate where possible, punish where not. To avoid years in prison, high fines and a criminal record, Mercer County marijuana crime lawyer Tara Breslow-Testa is ready and eager to defend you in court.

Call for a free consultation: (732) 784-2880

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