Newark Federal Drug Crime Lawyer

Newark Federal Drug Crime Attorney

Take proactive action by contacting a Newark federal drug crime lawyer as soon as you’ve been arrested or charged. By acting early, you can give yourself a strong chance for a favorable outcome. The professional team of lawyers at Tim Anderson Law have extensive experience assisting clients facing federal charges and are prepared to work hard on your behalf.

When Does a State Drug Crime Become Federal?

The New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice estimates that at least 70 percent of the state’s violent crime is the result of drug-related illegal activity. Federal, New Jersey, and Newark laws prohibit the possession, use, manufacture, distribution, and sale of certain restricted drugs, known as controlled substances. Federal drug cases usually take place at the US District Court at 50 Walnut St. #4015 in Newark, NJ 07102, but also can be in Trenton or Camden, NJ.

In 2022, there were 36,112 drug-related arrests across the state of New Jersey. That same year, an average of approximately 3,000 individuals were arrested for drug violations each month. While most drug-related arrests are made by state and local law enforcement, many cases may begin with a federal investigation, or the case eventually falls under federal jurisdiction. There are a few different reasons or circumstances for which this may occur:

• Jurisdiction. A criminal case may fall under federal jurisdiction due to crossing state lines or occurring on federal property such as national parks, military bases, or government buildings. It is against federal law to cross state borders to sell, buy, deliver, or obtain drugs. A drug arrest may also fall under federal jurisdiction if carried out by a federal law enforcement officer while at an airport or federal land. A case can also be charged under specific federal drug statutes under Title 21 of the United States Code.
• Cooperation between federal and state agencies is due to federal investigations. Under certain circumstances where a federal investigation has already been taking place and gathering evidence for some time, it can be more effective for federal authorities to move forward with a criminal case due to having more resources, and the penalties are typically more severe at the federal level.
• As a result of a plea bargain, especially within investigations of large drug smuggling or trafficking operations, suspects with valuable information or evidence for authorities may be offered lighter sentences or charges in exchange for that information. When an informant faces federal charges, anyone they provide information on is likely to also be charged by federal law enforcement.
• Severity and scale of the drug charges. Federal authorities are likely to step in when a case involves a large quantity of drugs or money, many people were involved in the operation, or when the manufacture or trafficking of drugs took place.

Additionally, if other federal crimes took place, such as money laundering, conspiracy, or federal RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act) violations, the case is also likely to be handled by federal law enforcement.

Legal Penalties for a Drug Conviction in Newark

The minimum penalties a defendant faces following a federal drug conviction in Newark can vary depending on the details of a particular case. Influencing factors include the type and quantity of the controlled substance in question, whether you have a criminal history of similar prior convictions and other relevant details.

First-time offenders facing drug charges at the state level have multiple opportunities to avoid incarceration, but this is much less likely with federal drug convictions. Punishment after conviction or a plea of guilty usually includes a prison sentence, potentially heavy fines, and any other measures deemed appropriate by the court. Penalties may be more severe if the crimes involved distributing substances to minors or pregnant individuals, took place near schools or colleges, or enlisted minor children.

FAQs

Skilled Defense Attorneys for Federal Drug Charges

At Tim Anderson Law, we take pride in our quality legal representation and insightful counsel. Our team takes care to provide each of our clients with the attention and hard work their case deserves. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with an experienced federal drug defense lawyer.