609-566-9686Often people find themselves caught for smoking or carrying marijuana. Many different marijuana-related crimes exist, be it distribution, use, or possession. Marijuana Possession Charges differ from the rest, however, in that the charges differ depending on the amount in possession. While no one wishes to be charged with any crime, knowing your legal rights in comparison to how much marijuana you hold carries great importance in your ability to best defend your case.
Of course, should you find yourself caught carrying marijuana, your first call must be to a Marijuana Defense Lawyer. Marijuana Defense Lawyers understand the ins and outs of marijuana possession charges, and work to lower the charges based on the contextual factors. Anything that works in your favor as a defense will be on the table for Marijuana Defense Lawyers, who studied how to use the law to their advantage in such cases.
As stated previously, the amount in your possession goes a long way in determining the marijuana possession charges you face. Let’s take a look at how this works.
Marijuana Possession Charges Based On Amount
The Different Amounts
Firstly, understanding the penalties that come with the different amounts will help you. Should you possess less than 50 grams of marijuana, your maximum charge is Up to 6 months in jail & up to $1,000 fine. With more than 50 grams of marijuana, the charge is Up to 1 ½ years in jail and up to $25,000 fine. The fines and charges work to convince those considering marijuana possession not to do so. While in some states marijuana does not bring any charges, New Jersey works with these laws. Accordingly, following these laws keeps you from major charges.
However, the location of arrest also carries significant meaning in these cases. When within 1,000 feet of a school, the charges include Extra fines and 100 community service hours. That’s on top of the already high charges you face.
These laws ensure that you do not impact younger member of society, and accountability does not go uncovered in such matters.
Understanding The Different Charges
Rather than simply accepting that different charges come with different amounts of possession, understanding the charges themselves remains key. When carrying 50 g or less of marijuana, the penalty is a disorderly person. This means a few drugs, simple assault, or petty theft. Minor criminal activities that enter you into minor criminal proceedings.
However, when carrying more than 50 g of marijuana, the penalty is a crime. Other than the connotation the word crime carries, further reasons to avoid crime hold true. Crime puts you in larger proceedings and greater legal trouble. Your case brings far more meaning to the state and the arresting officers. Thus, you will not find yourself off the hook with a simple slap on the wrist.
Hiring a Marijuana Defense Lawyer works to diminish the charges as strongly as possible. Still, law enforcement does not take kindly to crimes. Especially in the case of being near a school building, hence the added community service and fine. Law enforcement wishes to crack down on crime, and you will not find leniency or understanding with those extra grams.
What Else Do I Need To Know?
Other factors must be understood when it comes to marijuana possession charges as well. For example, when marijuana possession charges stem from within a car, your license’s status goes up in the air. Depending on the context of the situation, your license is fair game for law enforcement. Losing your license arises as a strong possibility for an extended period.
As you can see, there are various contextual keys in marijuana possession charges. The amount, the location, the situation all matter tremendously. Understanding and taking down your surroundings when arrested is a wise approach to take. Following the gathering of that information, calling a Marijuana Defense Lawyer must be the next step. Once they have all of the information that you have, a case can be made.
Using The Law To Your Defense
Marijuana Defense Lawyers own great experience using the law to your defense. They take the time to work with you on an individual basis to see advantages possible for you to use. For example, in the case of holding fewer than 50 grams, it falls into a disorderly person, not a crime. Understanding that works as a first step in ensuring no wrong legal actions work their way into your case.
Once the factors are broken down between you and your Marijuana Defense Lawyer, further steps help keep your charges minimal. Perhaps an illegal search happened, or an illegal stop. Illegal warrants remain prevalent in these cases. Invalid Lab Reports work as common responses to such charges. Regardless, working with your lawyer ensures your case receives the attention it deserves. Now that you understand the different charges, you understand what to avoid. Carrying at all remains misguided, but if that passed, understanding your legal rights holds the key.
