Marijuana Possession

Beating Blunt, Vape & Bong Charges

NJ Marijuana Possession - Overview

Marijuana possession is one of the most common charges in New Jersey. Thousands of people (mostly motorists) are charged with marijuana possession. I don’t have the statistic but it feels like 90% of all marijuana possession cases that we handle stem from a traffic stop.

We represent clients all over Northern New Jersey & it doesn’t matter whether our clients are from Bergen, Essex, Hudson, or Passaic County. When our clients meet with us, they share the same experience. They get stopped for a traffic violation & after the police officer smells marijuana, they get charged.

If they arrest you for a small, personal use quantity, you will be facing a disoderly persons offense. These cases are resolved in the nearby Municipal court where you got arrested. We will discuss the penalties you face, legal defenses, and probation options.

Let’s get into it.

Marijuana Possession Laws & Penalties

Mandatory Minimum Sentences

If you are convicted of an indictable offense with a mandatory minimum sentence, the judge has no choice in how he/she sentences you.

Your sentence will start at the “mandatory minimum” and go up from there.

For example, if you are charged with distributing 5 lbs of marijuana or more, your sentence will start at 10 years.
The judge cannot sentence you to less time.

You will not be eligible for parole during the “mandatory minimum” period of incarceration.

Marijuana Possession & Paraphernalia Laws: 2C:36-2

What is Paraphernalia?

Paraphernalia includes items used in growing, harvesting, processing, selling, storing, or using marijuana.

If you are in possession of a grinder, bong, pipe, or baggie (used to carry marijuana) you will be charged with paraphernalia.

Paraphernalia Penalties

Paraphernalia Possession is a disorderly persons offense.
You face a fine of up to $1,000, six months in jail, or both.

Manufacturing or selling paraphernalia is a fourth-degree felony in New Jersey.
You face a $10,000 fine and up to 18 months in prison.

Now that we shared the law, let’s discuss how it works in the real world. As criminal lawyers, we can tell you that anything can be considered or treated as paraphernalia. You can always expect to get these charges when you are facing marijuana possession charges. For example, if the marijuana is a gutted cigar blunt, then the cigar will be the basis for the paraphernalia charge. If the marijuana is in a pipe or bong, you will also get charged with paraphernalia. Our clients in Hackensack, Jersey City, Newark, and Paterson can tell you that this is how it is. Paraphernalia is also a disorderly persons offense & these charges will be resolved in Municipal court.

CDS in a Motor Vehicle

We devoted an entire blog to this subject Operating a Motor Vehicle with CDS but will discuss it briefly here. New Jersey has a traffic violation that we refer to as CDS in a motor vehicle. CDS stands for Controlled Dangerous Substance and yes, marijuana is considered CDS. However, it is not a criminal offense. It is a traffic violation. 

This is a serious charge because if you are convicted of cds in a motor vehicle, you will lose your license for two years.

Your other marijuana possession charge is separate and apart. If you are convicted or marijuana possession you may lose your driving privileges for a period of six months to two years.

Marijuana Possession & Probation

If you’re facing misdemeanor marijuana possession charges and want to keep your record clean & avoid jail, then you would need admission into NJ’s conditional discharge program. Once you successfully complete the program, your charges will get dismissed. However, the program is not easy & there will be drug testing. Also, not everyone is eligible.

If you are charged with felony marijuana possession charges, you may be eligible for NJ’s Pretrial Intervention program. Again, the program is not easy & you will be subject to many conditions. However, if you successfully complete the program, your criminal charges will get dismissed.

Legal defenses to Marijuana Possession charges

Marijuana possession charges can get dismissed without using a diversionary program. All drug charges have to be challenged on Constitutional grounds. This means that you have to challenge the legality of the search. How did the police find the drugs? Did they find the drugs pursuant to a valid search warrant? Did the police violate your 4th Amendment rights in obtaining the evidence?

All of these questions are answered in two helpful articles: Dismissing Criminal Charges & How To Dismiss Drug Charges.

Our advice

If you’re facing marijuana possession charges, meet with us and tell us all about it. How did you get arrested? Where did you get arrested? Did the police search you, your car, or your home? This stuff fascinates us so schedule a free consultation. We want to hear your story.

More often than not, if you have marijuana possession charges, you probably have other charges too. Don’t just take the first plea offer that comes your way. And don’t just use PTI or the conditional discharge program because you want the whole experience to be done & over with. Let’s fight first! We want to study the facts of your case & see if we can help you avoid going on probation. Remember, probation is long & you will be drug tested. It is also expensive & often involves community service. Don’t you want to see if your rights were violated? If they were, we might be able to get your entire case dismissed. We’ve helped a lot of clients & they’re happy that they chose us.

Meet with us to discuss your case. We love what we do & we love helping people. Let us help you!

Our Experience

You or a loved one have been arrested. Understandably, you are terrified & have a lot of questions. You’ve heard about plea bargains & probation, but the process is overwhelming. You want a local attorney near you to represent you.

Mr. Peyrouton is from Ridgewood & handles all types of criminal matters in New Jersey The New Jersey Law Journal recently published one of his articles on the subject of criminal law.

How We Can Help

Regardless of the criminal charges you are facing, we are here to defend & protect you. Whether you are facing a restraining order, drug charge, theft charge, or aggravated assault charge, we are here to help you. Even a DWI case can really complicate your life.

If we can’t get your charges dismissed, we can either get them downgraded or place you in a diversionary program. The point is, our criminal defense lawyers will fight tirelessly to get you the best result possible. Take advantage of our free consultation to see how we can help.

Our Practice Areas

Below, you will find a few of our practice areas.

Get Help With Your Case

How Do Your Free Consultations Work?

There are plenty of excellent Hackensack criminal lawyers in our area. Most, if not all of them, offer free, 20-minute, consultations. However, our free consultations do not have a time limit. You will never feel rushed.

The best way for us to help you is to patiently listen to your side of the story. Your version of events will serve as the basis for your legal defense. It is during these initial meetings that your memory of the event is fresh in your mind. Why we would rush you during such an important aspect of your case.

We understand that your choice of attorney could mean the difference between your freedom and spending years behind bars. 

When you hire an attorney, you are entering a long-term relationship. For this reason, it is important that you feel comfortable with the team of Hackensack criminal lawyers that will represent you.

What our clients say about us

Peyrouton Law
4.9
Based on 201 reviews
Ronald Yee
Ronald Yee
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Peyrouton Law, LLC. has lifted the writer from a most serious legal issue that could have lead to incarceration as well as a very hefty fine. This attorney took immediate charge and was able to reduce the fine to one-half of the posted amount. Further at the time of first contact, Attorney Alan Peyrouton informed that within three years passing, Expungement would be -in fact- forthcoming.That time has come with Full Grant Of Expungement for which this writer will forever be grateful: a promise made and kept!!This attorney stood by this client and always available for consultation, never adding to the retainer fee paid, which also included the New Jersey State processing charge for expunging.The "Night-Mare" is over and the legal issue is erasedas if nothing happened almost three years ago.One can not go wrong by selecting this Exceptional Law Firm.Exceptional Value, Personal Service, Expertise, Professionalism, Etc. - All: Outstanding!!Respectfully submitted,Ronald Yee- Continuing Client.
Romario Guthrie
Romario Guthrie
1694044337
Depressed, confused, tired, giving up was all I was doing due to my charges I got and had to face until my attorney Alan showed up… my charges was definitely gonna put me away behind close doors and more than likely deported …it took 2+ years of investigations before we’ve heard anything at all .. lawyer Peyrouton called,left messages ,emailed throughout this time until he found a status for my case … by then it was so tense where it’d be federal where it was already pending at the Supreme Court but Alan worked his wonders and got it to the municipal court (don’t ask me how ) lol … (2 charges) he always shows up for court ,keeps me updated on everything as long as he heard any news …at the end of this hectic time of my life ,Alan could of made it possible for 1 of 2 to be dismissed and the other was lowered to a little over nothing charge ….being grateful is an understatement for me cause I surely thought this was the end but with an awesome lawyer that will work in silence but diligently , u can never go wrong ! Thank you again Alan 🫶🏽
zine benyahia hadria
zine benyahia hadria
1694035843
Thanks for your help Mr Allen
Eugene Kong
Eugene Kong
1693412197
Thank you so much, Alan! Alan saved me from getting a felony on my record and I only ended up having to pay court fees. I will be eternally grateful to you, Sir! I recommend this man to anybody who makes a mistake or gets in trouble.
AntRipollJr
AntRipollJr
1693344102
Allen took a case for me that could have had an enormous detrimental effect on my life . I was extremely nervous, but he assured me that with his extensive experience and knowledge, that I had nothing to worry about. He also was very clear to explain the potential and harmful consequences of this infraction. He got my case dismissed. Thank you, Allen!
Jessica Richardson
Jessica Richardson
1693238749
Attorney Alan G. Peyrouton has been a blessing to me. He was able to get my criminal charge dismissed on a first appearance with a low fine. Trust me, it wasn’t easy and he was quick to take on my case. Although my case was a misdemeanor, it still weighed heavy on my career, my reputation and being a divorced / single parent. Thank you Alan for your quick response and handling my case in a quickly matter. Your representation of my truthful character was solid and I will always appreciate you for that!
Orelda Williams
Orelda Williams
1693008599
Alan Peyrouton is a great lawyer. Answer calls and text messages promptly. Cares about his clients and he is a very kind person over all . My experience were awesome I will recommend others to him 😊
Vijay C
Vijay C
1692904964
He is very knowledgeable and polite ,impromptu whenever I called ,texted or meet him for all my doubts . Professional and trustworthy at his work
anup patil
anup patil
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Very much professional in his work, always approachable and responds quickly to all the calls or messages.Very much knowledgeable and smart to his work . Never took unnecessary charges/ fees .
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