In recent years, New Jersey law enforcement has taken an increasingly tougher stance on possession of prescription drugs without a valid prescription from a doctor. This is due to the fact that prescription drug charges, just like other heroin-related crimes charges are on the rise statewide in white-collar and blue-collar communities alike. Our lawyers often represent clients for unlawful possession or distribution of Adderall, Oxycontin, Percocet, Vicodin, and Xanax throughout New Jersey. Many of the cases that we handle involve a small amount of pills borrowed from a friend or family member. Sometimes arrests will even occur as a result of carrying medication in an improper container. These acts, though seemingly harmless, are deemed criminal by the state because prescription medications are considered narcotics and state officials link the rise in prescription drug use to the growing heroin epidemic. A conviction of unlawful prescription drug possession or distribution will expose you to incarceration in prison, probation, loss of your driver’s license, and thousands of dollars in fines. The attorneys at Law Offices of William A. Proetta dedicate a large portion of their practice exclusively to defending clients from prescription drug and heroin-related charges throughout New Jersey including New Brunswick, Union Township, Middletown, Jersey City, Middletown, Brick, Ewing Township, Hackensack, and East Orange. If you would like to discuss your case with an experience prescription drug lawyer contact us at (732) 494-7900 or visit one of our statewide offices.

Toms River NJ Prescription Drug Fraud & Forgery Lawyer

A prescription legend drug is a medication that can only be sold or dispensed only upon the prescription of a licensed medical practitioner (licensed physician, veterinarian or dentist). If a person attempts to forge or falsify a prescription to obtain Rx drugs then he or she will be charged the separate crime of prescription drug forgery.

Obtain by Deception or Forgery

• 4^th Degree Felony – Use of fraud or deception – punishable by up to 18 months in prison
• Possession of Prescription Drugs

• 4^th Degree Felony – Possession of 5 or more dosages – punishable by up to 18 months in prison
• Disorderly Persons Offenses – Possession of 4 or less dosages – punishable by up to 6 months in county jail.
• Under the Unlawful Influence of Prescription Drug

• Disorderly Persons Offense – Exhibiting symptoms of being under the influence – punishable by up to 6 months in county jail.Like most other drug crimes, the degree of punishment is determined by the amount of drugs confiscated. Penalties associated with the Prescription Drug Distribution Law in New Jersey depend on the amount of “dosages” of the prescription drug that are on hand at the time of arrest. For this reason and many others, it is important to seek out and retain the representation of an experienced prescription drug defense lawyer because these cases often hinge on many issues that must be litigated in court or discussed in a plea arrangement with the prosecution. For example, a defense lawyer can challenge the State’s evidence that the prescription drugs were possessed by the defendant with the intent to distribute for monetary gain. Additionally, suppression issues that include lack of probable cause, illegal search and seizure, and inadmissible statements are very common in drug cases. See the chart below that breaks down the degree of charges for prescription drug distribution and possession with intent to distribute.

Prescription Drug Penalties

As illustrated above, prescription drug crimes are serious and difficult to handle for those without experience. Properly handled, these charges will often result in dismissal, downgrade, or admittance into Pre-Trial Intervention. Successfully resolved cases include circumstances in which defendants avoid convictions and criminal records upon completion of the PTI program. William Proetta, our firm’s founding attorney, has personally successfully handled a wide array of criminal, municipal, and superior court cases including many prescription drug charges. To speak with an experienced prescription drug defense attorney and build a case strategy upon your facts to meet your needs, please contact us at (732) 494-7900 for a free initial consultation.