New Jersey Heroin Lawyers

Heroin was formerly considered the “hardest” drug and its reputation as an extremely addictive and dangerous substance fit only for “junkies” doubtlessly frightened away many young people from ever trying it.  Today however, it has become socially acceptable to use heroin recreationally and it is prevalent in the suburbs, despite the fact that it certainly remains powerfully addictive.  All too often, people experiment with heroin the way prior generations experimented with alcohol and marijuana, not realizing how addictive and debilitating the substance can be.

Heroin charges and related crimes such as theft are symptoms of the disease of drug addiction, but they are unfortunately not always viewed this way by the State.  By and large, police and prosecutors are indeed conscious of the toxic effects of drug addiction, but New Jersey’s laws generally view crimes as a willful violation of the rights of others (meriting extreme punishment) rather than in psychological, medical, and sociological terms.  Programs focusing on treatment such as probation, Pre-Tial Intervention, and Drug Court (all discussed at length throughout the site) are very welcomed developments which have been successful in addressing drug crimes in saner terms.

The rigorous and thorough work of the defense attorney will always remain integral to this process.  For example, many times the Prosecutor’s office will refuse entry into one of these diversionary programs because a defendant sold drugs, even if he only sold them to support his own habit.  Many other times, a person’s addiction may have progressed to the point where they really need several doses per day just to avoid withdrawal, but the mere number of bags can be used to suggest he was buying it to sell rather than for his own personal use.  No matter the scenario, it is always in a defendant’s best interest to have a competent, dedicated attorney in his corner to secure the best possible outcome under the law.