Camden County NJ Ritalin Possession and Distribution Lawyer

Prescription Drug Charges Attorney with Offices in Collingswood, New Jersey

Ritalin, sometimes referred to as “skittles,” “rids,” or “smarties,” is generally prescribed to treat those with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Narcolepsy. Similar to Adderall, Ritalin increases alertness and improves concentration which makes it a very popular drug among students who are trying to stay awake to study for exams. This has, in part, also contributed to it being a very popular recreational drug in New Jersey today. As a result, prosecutors will pursue these cases very aggressively, often asking for the maximum penalty allowed under the law. If you have been charged with possession or distribution of Ritalin, you will need a talented attorney who can help keep the penalties to a minimum in your case.

The attorneys at the Law Offices of Leonard Biddison have had tremendous success handling a huge volume of drug cases for years in Camden County including Voorhees, Cherry Hill, Gloucester, and Waterford. In fact, one of the members of our criminal defense team is a former county prosecutor in New Jersey who used to prosecute drug charges for the State which means we know what kinds of arguments the prosecution might make. This sort of knowledge and expertise can be extremely valuable in your case. If you have been charged with possession or distribution of Ritalin, having an attorney who knows what it takes to potentially beat the charges against you is imperative. Call the Law Offices of Leonard Biddison at 877-450-8301 anytime for a free initial consultation.

New Jersey Possession and Distribution of Ritalin Statute: N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10.5

Ritalin is the brand name of Methylphenidate, which acts as a central nervous system stimulant. As mentioned above, Ritalin increases alertness, improves concentration, and helps control body movements.

The law for possession and distribution of Ritalin is explained under N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10.5. Since it is a schedule II drug, it is illegal to carry it unless it has been prescribed by a doctor and illegal to distribute unless you are licensed to do so. As the statute explains below, the degree you are charged with is based on the number of pills in question.

Second Degree: Ritalin Possession, Possession with Intent to Distribute, Distribution – You will be charged in the second degree if you are found with 100 or more pills and you have them for financial gain. Penalties can include 5 to 10 years in New Jersey State Prison with a presumption of incarceration, and a fine of up to $300,000.

Third Degree: Ritalin Possession, Possession with Intent to Distribute, Distribution – If you arrested with between 5 and 99 pills, you will be charged with this offense in the third degree. Penalties for this include 3 to 5 years in New Jersey State Prison and a fine of up to $200,000.

Fourth Degree: Ritalin Possession, Possession with Intent to Distribute, Distribution – If you are found with less than 5 pills, you will be charged in the fourth degree. Penalties can include up to 18 months in New Jersey State Prison.

Disorderly Persons Offense: Ritalin Possession – Under N.J.S.A. 2C:35-24, possession of less than 5 pills outside of its original bottle, you be charged with a disorderly persons offense. Further, even being under the influence of Ritalin in public can be a disorderly persons offense. Penalties can include up to 6 months in county jail and a $1,000 fine.

Note: According to N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10(c), a person can also be charged for not turning over Ritalin to a law enforcement officer. This is a disorderly persons offense punishable by 6 months in county jail and potential drivers license suspension. Many Ritalin related cases get downgraded to this. 

Note: There are several defenses to possession and distribution of Ritalin that might be available in your case. For example, if there was a problem with the way the police conducted their search, the entire case against you would have to be thrown out. Further, depending on what degree you have been charged with and whether you have a prior record, you might be eligible for a probationary sentence such as the Pre-Trial Intervention Program. Completion of this program will result in the charges being dropped against you. 

Contact a Voorhees NJ Ritalin Charges Lawyer for a Free Consultation 

The criminal defense attorneys at the Law Offices of Leonard Biddison are always available to speak with you about your case and begin to formulate an aggressive strategy to defend you against a Ritalin possession or distribution charge. Our criminal defense team understands the details of the law in New Jersey and we will use this knowledge to help you best defend against these charges. Call us today at 877-450-8301 for a free initial consultation about your case.