Drug Possession by a Minor in Hackensack, NJ
If you have a young teen or adolescent who has been charged with a drug crime like marijuana possession in Hackensack, NJ, you are likely concerned about their future. Will they go to jail? How will their permanent record be affected? Do we have any options to protect their future? These are all important questions you may be asking yourself right now as your child faces the most important challenge of his or her young life.
Hackensack, NJ criminal defense attorney Frank T. Luciano has the answers to your questions and many others. For almost 40 years, he has guided countless families out of seemingly impossible legal situations. If your child is facing a drug possession by a minor charge, or any other juvenile crime charge, you need the experienced NJ criminal defense that only Frank T. Luciano can provide.
Don’t Be So Quick to Agree to a Plea Bargain for Juvenile Drug Charges in Mahwah, NJ
Many prosecutors and public defenders will try to push you towards a plea bargain by using your fear of the situation against you. They will tell you that it’s the best outcome and that going to trial will put your child’s future at risk. It’s quite natural to want to move on from this whole ordeal as quickly and painlessly as possible, but you owe it to your son or daughter to fully explore all of your legal options with a qualified attorney before making any decisions.
Are there mitigating circumstances that could lessen the charges? Were all police procedures followed correctly? Is this your child’s first offense? Which drugs were involved? Were they actually your child’s drugs? There are endless questions that must be answered before you choose any course of action. The public defender and prosecution will not have your best interests in mind – Frank T. Luciano will.
Frequently Asked Questions About NJ Juvenile Drug Charges
Is my child facing jail time?
This depends on the drug in question, the amount possessed, whether there was an intent to distribute and many other factors surrounding the alleged crime. Minors are adjudicated in a Juvenile Court in a delinquency hearing before being sentenced. While detention is certainly a possibility, in juvenile hearings the court will consider many other factors, including age, prior offenses, psychological conditions and others, before handing down a sentence. There are many alternatives to incarceration that can be explored.
If your son or daughter is found guilty of possession of a Schedule I, II, III or IV controlled dangerous substance, he or she may face up to two years in detention and a fine of up to $35,000. Possession of more than 50 grams of marijuana may lead to a fine of up to $25,000. Possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana is a disorderly persons offense and could lead to up to six months in detention.
How will this impact my child’s permanent record?
Make no mistakes; your child’s future is at stake here. Without the right legal outcome, there is a strong possibility that your son or daughter will have a criminal record as a result of a simple drug possession. This is why you must seek experienced legal counsel immediately. You want to do everything possible to avoid the stigma of a criminal record at such a young age.
What legal options do I have?
The court does not want to remove a child from his or her family. You need an attorney that will fight for alternatives to incarceration, such as community service, vocational and academic programs and/or rehabilitation for substance abuse. In certain circumstances, your son or daughter could face the same sentence as an adult, so you must protect his best interests by hiring a seasoned criminal defense lawyer.
Your Next Decisions Are Critical: Contact an Experienced Fort Lee Juvenile Drug Offense Attorney Today
The outcome of your child’s drug possession by a minor charge relies heavily on the decisions you make following the arrest. If you choose to face these charges without the help of an experienced attorney or trust the public defender to handle your case, you are taking a big chance and risking your child’s future.
The last thing you want to do is get your teenager’s young adult life started with the stain of a drug possession conviction on his or her record. There may be other alternatives worth investigating. Frank T. Luciano would be happy to discuss the details of your case with you at your earliest convenience. Contact him to set up an initial consultation at 973-471-0004.