South River is centrally located in Middlesex County with approximately 16,008 residents. While it is far from the most populated municipality in the county, it does rank in the top third statewide in population so it is understandable that there might be a fair share of marijuana possession charges issued in the town. We assume that you have been charged in South River with either a disorderly persons offense for possession of 50 grams or less of marijuana or a fourth degree crime for possession of more than 50 grams of marijuana given that you have landed on this page. There is little doubt that retaining a lawyer that is skilled in defending these offenses is your best option for minimizing the ramification of this charge, including saving your driver’s license and keeping your record clean. The attorneys at the Marshall Law Firm are former prosecutors who can get you the result you need. Call our East Brunswick Office at 732-227-1200 for a free consultation with an attorney at the firm.
Jurisdiction over your charge for possession of marijuana depends on the quantity alleged. Cases involving fourth degree possession of marijuana are handled at the Middlesex County Superior Court in New Brunswick and are considered felony charges. Possession of 50 grams or less is a disorderly persons offense that is decided in South River Municipal Court.
Under N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10, you subject to severe penalties if it is found that you knowingly possessed marijuana in either of the grades of offense previously set forth. You are exposed to the following consequences if you are convicted of violating 2C:35-10a(4) because you possessed marijuana in a quantity of 50 grams or less results in:
- A fine of up to $1,000
- Up to 6 months in the county jail
- License suspension of 6-24 months
- Probation
- Random drug testing
- Mandatory court assessments that exceed $200
A fourth degree crime resulting from possessing over 50 grams of marijuana results in the same consequences as a disorderly persons offense under 2C:35-10a(3)except that the fine and period of incarceration are enhanced as follows:
- A fine of up to $25,000
- Up to 18 months in prison
You may avoid a criminal record and these penalties by securing a diversion of prosecution; in other words, apply for a program that allows you to escape a conviction because you are a first time offender. Pretrial Intervention is the means of achieving this result for someone faced with a fourth degree crime arising in South River. Conditional Discharge is the program that allows someone to avoid a charge for possession of 50 grams or less in South River. Guidelines for securing either form of relief are strict so it is always best to consult a lawyer who is familiar with the programs to insure eligibility.
Contact Our South River Marijuana Possession Defense Attorneys at 732-227-1200
As you can see, a marijuana possession offense in South River has the potential to complicate your life much more significantly than you probably knew. The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall employs attorneys who can protect you against an unfavorable result. Our former prosecutors and knowledgeable lawyers have over 100 years of collective experience defending South River criminal charges. A lawyer at the firm is ready to conduct a free consultation if you were arrested for marijuana possession or any other offense in South River or another municipality in Middlesex County. Call us anytime 24/7 at 732-227-1200 for a free consultation from an attorney our defense team.
