Passaic County Drug Charges
CDS Defense Lawyers for a Possession or Distribution Offense in Paterson, Wayne, Clifton, West Milford, Hawthorne or Anywhere Else in Passaic County
Passaic County is a busy jurisdiction for drug charges for numerous reasons. It is the home to Paterson, the third most populated city in New Jersey, and Clifton which ranks eleventh, as well as major roadways like Interstate 80 and 287 and the Garden State Parkway. Given these factors, as well as the presence of Montclair State University in Clifton and William Paterson University in Wayne, thousands are charged with distribution and possession of controlled dangerous substances (“CDS”) in the municipal court in West Milford, Hawthorne and other towns, as well as the Passaic County Superior Court, every year. Defense lawyers with extensive experience defending Passaic County drug and CDS offenses is going to provide you with the best opportunity for escaping a conviction.
The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall is well positioned to defend your drug offense. Our team has over a century of experience and most of the attorneys are former prosecutors, including a former Drug Court supervisor and Drug Task Force director on staff. Every lawyer at the firm has represented countless individuals charged for possessing, distributing or possession with intent to distribute CDS in Passaic County. If you were arrested for a drug offense in Wayne, Clifton, Paterson or another location, you are encouraged to contact our Wayne Office for a free consultation. An attorney is available 24/7 to assist you.
Drug Possession & Intent to Distribute Crimes at the Passaic County Superior Court
When a drug case is indictable in nature, meaning that it falls into the grade of a first degree, second degree, third degree or fourth degree crime, it can only be dealt with at the Passaic County Superior Court in Paterson New Jersey. All CDS charges involving heroin, cocaine, MDMA, Ecstasy, M0lly, LSD, methamphetamine and other hard street drugs fall within this grading. An offense involving manufacturing, selling, distributing or possession with intent to distribute are also reserved to the Superior Court. If you have been charged with a drug offense that falls within this description, the severity of the penalties that you face hinge on type and quantity of CDS involved since that dictates the degree of crime. A first degree crime results in a prison sentence of 10-20 years. A second degree crime carries the possibility of 5-10 years in prison. The period of incarceration is 3-5 years for a third degree crime. The lowest grade of felony CDS offense heard at the county courthouse in Paterson is a fourth degree crime and this results in up to 18 months in prison.
Disorderly Persons Offense for Possession of CDS in Passaic County Municipal Court
When a charge falls within the grade of a disorderly persons offense, it is heard in the municipal court of the town where the offense arose. The charges falling within this category include possession of 50 grams or less of marijuana, fewer than 5 grams of hashish and less than 4 dosage units of Xanax, Valium, Percocet, Oxycodone, Hydrocodone, Suboxone, Adderall, Vicodin and Morphine. Although an offense of this nature is a misdemeanor, it carries serious consequences including up to 6 months in the Passaic County jail, a 6-24 month license suspension and the collateral consequence of a criminal record that will follow you around for years. Our lawyers defend these charges in municipal courts throughout Passaic County, including in:
| Bloomingdale | Clifton | Haledon | Hawthorne |
|---|---|---|---|
| Little Falls | North Haledon | Passaic | Paterson |
| Pompton Lakes | Prospect Park | Ringwood | Totowa |
| Wanaque | Wayne | West Milford | Woodland Park |
Passaic County CDS Lawyer
Passaic County is a hotbed for CDS charges involving possession, distribution and possession with intent to distribute marijuana, heroin, cocaine, MDMA, LSD, Ecstasy, Molly and prescription legend drugs. A lawyer at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall is well equipped to defend you with any drug offense you may be facing. To speak to an attorney on our staff, contact our Wayne Office. Lawyers are available around the clock and initial consultations are free. Give us a call now for skilled guidance from one of our accomplished attorneys.
Direction to Passaic County Superior Court
The Passaic County Superior Court is located at 77 Hamilton St, Paterson, NJ 07505. The interactive google map below can assist you in obtaining directions to the courthouse.