Marijuana Distribution Attorneys Passaic County, NJ
Serving Clients Across Wayne, Clifton, Paterson, Woodland Park, West Milford, Little Falls, and Passaic County
Possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute is a serious criminal allegation in the state of New Jersey. Even with state relaxing marijuana regulations through legislation including the New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act, distribution of recreational marijuana remains a criminal offense including potential first-degree charges depending on the nature of your case and the quantity of marijuana in question.
At The Montanari Law Group, our team of criminal defense attorneys has extensive experience helping clients fight allegations of marijuana distribution and reducing or dismissing marijuana-related charges across New Jersey towns including Clifton, Wayne, Paterson, Woodland Park, West Milford, Little Falls, and the greater Passaic County area. We handle each case on an individual basis and seek to reduce or eliminate punitive measures by examining how the evidence was gathered, what evidence has been used against you, and what other legal recourse you might have.
Call our office today to speak with a member of our legal team concerning your charges stemming from marijuana possession or possession with intent to distribute in a free and confidential consultation.
Intent to Distribute Marijuana N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5 Wayne, NJ Marijuana Distribution Lawyers
Pursuant to New Jersey Revised Statutes Section 2c:35-5, it is against state law for any person to knowingly and intentionally “…manufacture, distribute or dispense, or to possess or have under his control with intent to manufacture, distribute or dispense, a controlled dangerous substance or controlled substance analog; or…create, distribute, or possess or have under his control with intent to distribute, a counterfeit controlled dangerous substance.”
First Degree possession of marijuana with intent to distribute entails quantities of marijuana in excess of 25 pounds including any additives, 50 or more marijuana plants, or hashish in excess of five (5) pounds including any additives.
Second Degree possession with intent to distribute entails quantities of marijuana in excess of five (5) pounds but less than 25 pounds including additives, between 10 and 50 marijuana plants, or hashish in excess of one (1) pound but less than five (5) pounds including any additives.
Third Degree possession with intent to distribute involves quantities of marijuana greater than one (1) ounce but less than five (5) pounds including additives or hashish in excess of five (5) grams but less than one (1) pound including additives.
Fourth Degree possession with intent distribute is for any amount of marijuana which is less than one (1) ounce or hashish which is less than five (5) grams including additives.
Penalties for Distributing Marijuana: Paterson, NJ Marijuana Possession Attorneys
A conviction of intent to distribute marijuana can lead to extreme punitive measures as per New Jersey statutes. In order to convict you of any such crime, the state must prove that you were not only in possession of marijuana but also the exact amount and that your intention was to distribute. Often times, the evidence will take the form of drug paraphernalia such as individually portioned baggies, scales, cash, and even potential sting operations where undercover police officers will participate in a drug sale. If found guilty of possession to distribute the penalties are as follows:
- First Degree marijuana possession with intent to distribute may result in a maximum prison sentence of 20 years and a maximum fines of $300,000
- Second Degree marijuana distribution convictions may result in a maximum prison sentence of ten years and fines up to $150,000
- Third Degree marijuana distribution convictions may result in a prison sentence of up to five (5) years and maximum fines up to $25,000
- Fourth Degree marijuana distribution convictions may lead to prison sentences up to 18 months and fine up to $10,000
Note that penalties may be greater if the alleged distribution took place within 1,000 feet of school property or school bus pursuant to the Distribution of Marijuana Near School Property Statute Section 2C:35-7. Particularly for the lesser degrees, this comes into play where a fixed fine of $150,000 may be incurred by the defendant if this statute is violated.
Contact our Woodland Park Marijuana Distribution Defense Lawyers Today
If you or a loved one has been charged with criminal marijuana possession with intent to distribute, our Woodland Park attorneys are here to fight for your case as we have done with previous New Jersey clients across towns including Paterson, Wayne, Clifton, Woodland Park, Little Falls, West Milford, and the greater Passaic County area. Being charged with a criminal offense is a serious ordeal, but it is just the beginning of a legal process. Our experienced attorneys will help you to understand your rights, how we can defend against the charges at hand, and eventually seek to reduce or dismiss charges leveled against you or a loved one. You do not need to fight your legal battle alone.
Contact us online or call our Little Falls offices at (973) 233-4396 for a free and confidential consultation regarding your marijuana possession with intent to distribute case. A member of our legal team will be standing by to provide more information and to learn how we can best serve your individual needs.