New Jersey Criminal Defense Blog

An article in the Manville News reported that a 53-year-old pharmacist was accused of stealing drugs from a local CVS store. The suspect was charged with third degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance and third degree theft. According to police, the suspect took various quantities of the drugs, Tussionex and Hycodan, during his employment with the store.

Hycodan and Tussionex are synthetic prescription drugs used to relieve pain. Both drugs can have side effects that cause drowsiness, dizziness, euphoria, and constipation. The suspect’s employer used a hidden camera to monitor the suspect. Allegedly, the camera captured images of the suspect taking the drugs and transferring them to a 2 ounce bottle, which he placed in his pocket.

The prosecutor claims that the suspect supposedly transferred the drugs, but he failed to write prescriptions for the drugs on the days that the transfers were caught on camera. The employer drug usage reports allege that the suspect should not have managed the two drugs on the days that were in the camera footage.

The suspect turned himself into the Somerset County prosecutor’s office Special Investigation Unit. He was released on bond.

New Jersey laws for possession of a controlled substance are more severe than those of other states. A person accused of possession of a controlled substance in New Jersey can face up to 5 years in prison in addition to losing his or her driver’s license. Also, a person charged with this serious crime can be fined up to $35,000.

The New Jersey drug possession attorneys of Lependorf & Silverstein have defended numerous clients against drug crime charges, including possession of a controlled dangerous substance. If you are accused of a drug crime, exercise your right to have an attorney present before questioning. At Lependorf & Silverstein, our aggressive criminal defense lawyers offer free confidential, consultations. Contact us today by calling 609-240-0040.

The state of New Jersey enacts some of the most severe punishments for the usage, distribution, and possession of marijuana. People accused of a Princeton drug crime involving marijuana can face sentences of as little at 5 years or as great as 20 years without the option of parole for at least the first 10 years.

Suspects convicted of marijuana drug crimes in New Jersey can even face legal fines of over $20,000 in addition to 100 hours of community service, if the suspect is found within 1,000 feet of a school facility.

Despite New Jersey’s harsh penalties against marijuana possession and usage, in January, New Jersey passed the Compassionate Medical Marijuana Act. The New Jersey Office of Legislative Services notes that this new Act permits the legalization of marijuana only for those qualifying patients diagnosed by a physician as suffering from debilitating medical conditions, which can include epilepsy and glaucoma, that are resistant to conventional medical therapy.

Unlike other New Jersey residents, a qualifying patient for medical marijuana usage may not be prosecuted for their possession of marijuana, so long as the patient possesses a registration identification card along with a written certification of medical records.

Continue reading "NJ Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act and Other Marijuana Users" »

Two teenage boys were charged with second degree robbery and second degree conspiracy. A Manville News article reports that the juveniles allegedly beat a 24-year-old Manville resident and stole $25 from him.

The victim told the police that the juveniles fled the scene in a 2001 Saab. The victim was taken to Somerset Medical Center for minor cuts and abrasions to his face and upper body. Though he was treated for injuries, the police do not believe that a weapon was used in the robbery. The police located a Saab described by the police broadcast description on the police radio and found two teenagers driving the alleged vehicle that the victim described.

In New Jersey, a juvenile is defined as a person who is under the age of 18 at the commission of a crime. New Jersey cases involving juvenile defendants are handled by the Family Division of the Superior Court, unlike ordinary New Jersey criminal cases.

These NJ juvenile crime cases require specialized legal representation, because juvenile defendants are treated differently than adult criminal defendants. For example, juvenile defendants are not entitled to a trial by jury, unlike adult criminal defendants.

Juvenile robbery crimes in New Jersey could result in detention in a juvenile corrections center for up to 60 days. The state of New Jersey also provides juvenile detention alternative programs.

The New Jersey juvenile crime attorneys of Lependorf & Silverstein defend juveniles charged with theft crimes and several other types of offenses. Our unmatched experience in New Jersey criminal law provides us with the ability to offer highly skilled legal representation for juvenile crime charges. For a free consultation of your New Jersey juvenile crime case, contact our office today at 609-240-0040.

The police arrested two men who are allegedly accused of crack cocaine possession in New Jersey. According to a Gloucester County News article, the police believe the two suspects were involved in a drug transaction at a Delsea Drive service station. One of the suspects was allegedly found in possession of 21 bags of crack cocaine as well as marijuana. The police also found 30 additional bags of cocaine in the suspect’s motel room that they believe belong to the suspect as well as $1,077 in cash.

Police say that the first suspect had been arrested two months earlier in February for possession of 50 bags of crack cocaine. He is currently charged with possession of more than a half ounce of crack cocaine, possession of more than a half ounce of crack cocaine with intent to distribute, and possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana.

Allegedly, the second suspect was in possession of marijuana and pills. He was charged with possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana, possession of more than a half an ounce of crack cocaine with intent to distribute, and possession of a controlled dangerous substance within 500 feet of a public park.

In New Jersey, possession of 50 grams or less of marijuana is a considered a disorderly person’s offense, with a maximum fine of $1,000.000 and 6 months in jail. For crack cocaine possession, New Jersey law imposes penalties in relation quantity of the controlled substance found in possession of the suspect. A person accused of possession of more than a half ounce but less than 5 ounces of crack cocaine may be subject to a penalty of up to 10 years in prison.

The New Jersey drug crime defense attorneys at Lependorf & Silverstein use their extensive experience to handle serious charges involving possession of a controlled dangerous substance. Charges associated with serious crimes require serious legal representation. Call our office at 609-240-0040 for a free consultation of your criminal case and to learn more about how we can help defend your rights.

Four suspects have been arrested for the alleged murder of a DeVry University recruiter. According to an article the New Jersey Star-Ledger, the university recruiter was kidnapped while driving her BMW convertible, after stopping for dinner at a Newark soul food restaurant.

Later that same evening, the police discovered her body in her burning car. Allegedly, one of the four suspects gave a Gucci handbag as a gift to a woman. The woman discovered the victim’s business card inside the purse.

The police used a tip from an anonymous caller to identify the four suspects. They had no leads on the case for nearly two years. The police believe that the four suspects had a motive to kill the victim allegedly because of her wealth. The victim’s boyfriend had been out on bail awaiting sentencing for drug distribution and living at her house at the time of her murder. He told police that a man driving the victim’s car aimed a gun at him as pulled into the victim’s garage.

The police used cell phone records to determine that the suspects all made calls from the same location on the night of the victim’s murder. All physical evidence had been destroyed by the fire. The case has no eye witnesses to the victim’s murder.

Continue reading "Suspects Accused of University Recruiter's Murder" »

The Federal Bureau of Investigation reports that a New Jersey woman has been charged with bank fraud, participation in a conspiracy to commit bank fraud, identity theft and aggravated identity theft. Bank fraud in New Jersey is a serious crime that carries with it life-changing penalties. The 26-year-old defendant in this particular case faces up to 57 years of imprisonment with a two-year minimum imprisonment. She may even face up to a $4 million fine.

White-collar crime investigations may progress over a lengthy period of time. It is important to be proactive and get in touch with an experienced defense lawyer early on in the process. A person accused of a white collar offense is likely to benefit from contacting a lawyer with experience defending those arrested for embezzlement, perjury, bankruptcy fraud, bank fraud, money laundering, and extortion. Due to the breach of trust that is often associated with white collar crimes, an arrest for one of these offenses may be enough to significantly affect a person’s reputation. The time to hire an attorney is when you find out that you are being investigated. Your life, career and future may be at stake.

If you are under investigation for bank fraud or identity theft, do not hesitate to contact a Princeton defense attorney at Lependorf & Silverstein. Calling 609-240-0040 will connect you to a white-collar defense attorney who can provide you with a free consultation and case evaluation. White collar crimes can result in lengthy prison time, exorbitant fines and other life-changing consequences. Please call Lepenforf & Silverstein today to find out how we can help craft a winning defense strategy.

A 26-year-old New Jersey man was arrested on suspicion of drug charges. The Cumberland County News reports that the man was charged with New Jersey possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, obstruction of justice and hindering apprehension. He also was cited for failure to exhibit credentials, driving with a suspended license, careless driving and driving while in possession of a controlled dangerous substance. Apparently, this arrest occurred during a routine traffic stop when the man was cited for careless driving.

New Jersey is well-known for being tough on drug offenders. Even possessing a small amount of marijuana can lead to heavy fines and up to 18 months of jail time. The charges you are likely to face can be significant if you are found with large quantities of controlled substances for sale. If you have been charged with drug possession, you need to contact an experienced New Jersey drug crime lawyer, who is well-versed with illegal search and seizure laws. If you can prove in court that the arresting officer did not follow proper procedure or that he or she violated your Constitutional rights, you case could get dismissed.

The aggressive Princeton NJ drug crime defense attorneys at Lependorf & Silverstein have experience representing drug possession and narcotic sales clients in New Jersey, successfully achieving case dismissals, acquittals and lowered sentences. A drug crime conviction in New Jersey can have an adverse effect on your personal life, career and even future job prospects. Call us at 609-240-0040 today to schedule a free consultation.