NJ Drug Paraphernalia Possession Defense Attorney

Drug Charges Defense Lawyer With Offices in Passaic County and Morris County, NJ

Experienced criminal defense attorney Alissa D. Hascup represents clients who have been charged with drug offenses, weapons offenses, and other serious crimes including robbery, aggravated assault, and witness tampering in Paterson, Newark, Morristown, Hackensack, Sparta, and throughout New Jersey.

Ms. Hascup has successfully defended thousands of cases in New Jersey’s Superior Courts (indictable/felony level offenses) and Municipal Courts (disorderly persons/misdemeanor level offenses). Ms. Hascup is a former Assistant County Prosecutor, Special Deputy Attorney General, and Municipal Prosecutor, who handled a variety of serious drug-related cases during the course of her distinguished career. She knows what it takes for the State to prove a drug case beyond a reasonable doubt – and will use that knowledge to defend the charges filed against you.

Being charged with a drug crime, such as possession of drug paraphernalia, can have serious consequences. Having an aggressive, experienced defense lawyer to guide you through the legal process is invaluable. Ms. Hascup is prepared to attack the State’s case and put you in a position to achieve the best possible result.

She will evaluate the strength of the case against you and any legal issues that may be present. How was the paraphernalia discovered? Were you stopped in a motor vehicle? Was the stop constitutionally valid? Did you consent to a search of your vehicle? Was the consent constitutionally valid? Was the paraphernalia found during an arrest? Was the arrest constitutionally valid? Ms. Hascup’s experience in handling these very issues gives her the tools necessary to fight aggressively on your behalf.

Contact Alissa D. Hascup anytime for an initial consultation, which is always provided free of charge.

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia in New Jersey: N.J.S.A. 2C:36-2

N.J.S.A. 2C:36-2 sets forth:

It shall be unlawful for any person to use, or to possess with intent to use, drug paraphernalia to plant, propagate, cultivate, grow, harvest, manufacture, compound, convert, produce, process, prepare, test, analyze, pack, repack, store, contain, conceal, ingest, inhale, or otherwise introduce into the human body a controlled dangerous substance, controlled substance analog or toxic chemical. Any person who violates this section is guilty of a disorderly persons offense.

A disorderly persons offense is punishable by a maximum of 6 months in the county jail. In addition, a conviction for a disorderly persons drug-related offense carries with it certain mandatory fines, including a $500 Drug Enforcement Demand Reduction (DEDR) penalty and a $50 laboratory fee.

Enhanced Drug Paraphernalia Charges in New Jersey

There are certain circumstances under which a drug paraphernalia-related crime can rise above the level of a disorderly persons offense – the two most common are:

Distribute, Dispense or Possess With Intent to Distribute Drug Paraphernalia. It shall be unlawful for any person to distribute or dispense, or possess with intent to distribute or dispense, or manufacture with intent to distribute or dispense, drug paraphernalia, knowing that it will be used to….introduce into the human body a controlled dangerous substance, controlled substance analog or toxic chemical. Any person who violates this section commits a crime of the fourth degree. N.J.S.A. 2C:36-3

A crime of the Fourth Degree is punishable by a term of incarceration of up to 18 months in New Jersey State Prison. In addition, the DEDR penalty is elevated to $750.

Delivering Drug Paraphernalia to Person Under 18 Years of Age. Any person 18 years of age or over who violates N.J.S.A. 2C:36-3 (above) by delivering drug paraphernalia to a person under 18 years of age commits a crime of the third degree.

A crime of the Third Degree is punishable by a term of incarceration of between 3 and 5 years in New Jersey State Prison. In addition, the DEDR penalty is elevated to $1,000.

Contact a NJ Drug Paraphernalia Defense Lawyer to Discuss Your Case

If you or a loved one has been charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, there can be serious consequences associated with a conviction. Don’t delay in hiring legal representation. Protect your freedom and your rights.

Contact Alissa D. Hascup for your free initial consultation. Ms. Hascup is available anytime to discuss your case, so call 862-257-1200 or email her today.