Coatesville Man Charged with Possession of Marijuana
Recently, a man from Coatesville, NJ was arrested for possession of marijuana after police allegedly witnessed him discard a bag that may have contained pot. According to a report by The Daily Local News, the drug arrest occurred in Coatesville on Sixth Avenue on January 1, 2011. Police found 16 baggies on the 21-year-old man that contained leafy substances. It is not clear if the substances in all of the baggies were determined to have been marijuana or if the man will be charged with possession with intent to sell.
New Jersey Statute 2C:35-10(3) states that it is “unlawful for any person, knowingly or purposely, to obtain, or to possess,” marijuana. The quantity of marijuana the police seize will determine the severity of the charges a defendant will face. Less than 50 grams of marijuana often results in a disorderly persons charge. Possession of more than 50 grams of marijuana is a fourth-degree crime that could lead to up to $25,000 in fines.
A drug crime defense attorney will carefully examine the way that the drugs were seized and dissect the specific charges a defendant faces. In circumstances where a case cannot be thrown out, alternative sentencing may be a possibility. For example, first-time offenders may be able to opt for drug rehabilitation services instead of jail time.
The New Jersey marijuana defense attorneys at Lependorf & Silverstein help New Jersey residents understand their legal rights. We provide free case evaluations to anyone who has been arrested for possession, sale, or cultivation of marijuana in New Jersey. If you or a loved one has been charged with a marijuana-related offense, please call us today at 609-240-0040.
