Most experts, legal personnel, and state and local law enforcement agree that the explosion of heroin throughout New Jersey and the United States is largely due to the accessibility of Oxycontin as a commonly prescribed pain medication. Oxycontin and heroin are opioids that share a similar chemical makeup that similarly affect the human body and contain highly addictive qualities. Often, a person who has been prescribed oxycontin will develop dependence on the drug. When the prescription runs out, that person will then look for ways to feed his or her dependence. As a prescription drug, Oxycontin is difficult to obtain and expensive. Heroin is the less expensive and more easily obtained option. Additionally, heroin has greater addictive qualities than Oxycontin. For these reasons, a major energizer of the heroin epidemic consists of those who at one time had an Oxycontin dependence. Furthermore, high school age children in a home with a supply of prescription pain killers are also more likely to eventually become involved with heroin.

Oxycontin is also known as Oxycodone and is commonly referred to as “oxy.”  In recent years, this drug has gained significant notoriety and popularity with teenagers, athletes, and even professionals because of qualities that include pain relief, relaxation sensations, and a potent high. These effects are only magnified when it is mixed with other drugs or alcohol. Essentially, Oxycontin has taken the place of Percocet and Vicodin as the prescription “drug du jour” because of its addictive qualities and “better” high. Whatever the particular facts of your case are, it is important that you seek an experienced attorney to assist you with your heroin or oxycodone related charge. Due to the state’s reasoning that oxycodone is so powerful a drug that it often leads to the use of heroin and ultimately the eventual arrest for heroin possession or heroin distribution, the state has set forth various laws resulting in severe penalties for crimes involving Oxycodone. For instance, N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10.5 provides the penalties for possession without a valid prescription and they are as follows.

The attorneys at the Law office of William A. Proetta understand the nature of Oxycontin charges and defend clients throughout New Jersey in Monmouth, Ocean, Essex, Middlesex, Union, and Mercer County Superior Court. We have successfully won cases, succeeded in admittance into PTI or Drug Court, and have had many cases remanded to Municipal Court.

To fully understand the consequences and seriousness of charges relating to heroin or Oxy, it is important that you learn how each crime is handled. A Second Degree Oxycontin Offense is the most serious Oxy-related crime under NJ statute. If convicted, you or your loved one will be sentenced to prison for up to 10 years and up to $300,000 in fines. Third Degree Oxycontin charges are the most common and are punishable by up to 5 years in jail and up to $200,000 in fines. A Fourth Degree offense will expose you or your loved one to up to 18 months in prison. If you have been arrested for a crime involving Heroin, Oxycodone, or other prescription drugs, then it is very important to retain an attorney who is experienced in dealing with prescription drug offenses. The criminal defense attorneys at the Law Offices of William A. Proetta are very experienced in handling heroin and prescription possession and distribution cases. Furthermore n fact, we are often able to secure our clients admittance into Pre-Trial Intervention or even Drug Court so they avoid potential mandatory incarceration or even a criminal record altogether. If you would like to learn more about how we may be able to help you build a case strategy based upon the facts of your case and customized to meet your needs, contact one of our statewide offices at (732) 494-7900 for a free consultation.