South Jersey Drug Crime Lawyer

Drug Crime Penalties & Impacts 

A drug crime conviction can have ripple effects that extend throughout your personal and professional life, often lasting long after any jail sentence. Many convictions come with incarceration, which ranges from 18 months for a fourth-degree possession charge to 20 years for first-degree drug offenses. 

Additionally, convictions can come with:

• Employment impacts - Many employers conduct background checks and may refuse to hire individuals with drug convictions. Professional licenses can also be suspended or revoked, affecting careers in healthcare, education, finance, and other fields.
• Housing challenges - Landlords frequently reject rental applications from individuals with criminal records. Public housing assistance may also be denied or terminated following drug convictions.
• Educational barriers - Federal financial aid for college can be suspended or denied. Some educational institutions may refuse admission or dismiss students following drug convictions.
• Driver's license suspension - New Jersey law can require a license suspension for many drug offenses, even those unrelated to driving. 
• Immigration consequences - Non-citizens, visa holders, and others who have immigrated to the United States could face severe consequences for being charged and convicted of a drug offense. 
• Personal relationships - The stigma and stress of criminal charges can strain marriages, family relationships, and friendships. Child custody arrangements may also be affected.
• Financial burden - Beyond fines and court costs, convictions can lead to increased insurance rates, lost wages, and a reduced earning potential. 

Potential Defenses in Your Drug Crime Case

The stakes are high in cases involving drug crimes, but you can count on Attorney Rigden and our supporting team to fight aggressively for your rights, freedom, and future. 

Below are potential defenses that our attorney can pursue:

• Police violated your rights during the search or arrest, making the evidence unusable in court.
• Problems with how the police handled or stored the drugs can get the evidence thrown out.
• You didn't know the drugs were there, or they weren't actually yours, especially in shared cars or homes.
• The prosecution's case is weak due to poor witness identification or a lack of solid proof.
• Police tricked you into committing a crime you wouldn't normally do.
• You needed marijuana for a serious medical condition (limited situations only).
• First-time offenders can often enter special programs that dismiss charges upon completion.

Contact Rigden Lieberman Mignogna, P.A. to get more information about your case, the potential outcomes, and how our team can defend you. Our firm proudly represents clients throughout South Jersey.

Call (609) 772-4218 or reach out online if you are facing serious drug crime accusations in Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Mercer, Atlantic, Cumberland, Salem, and Cape May counties.