Camden NJ Loitering or Wandering in a Drug Zone Lawyer

Drug Charges Defense Attorney with Offices in Collingswood, New Jersey

Loitering or wandering in a drug zone used to be covered by local ordinances in New Jersey. However, in response to the increase in drug activity, the legislature has decided that this law must be put into effect statewide. The statute for this offense makes it illegal to enter a public place for the purpose of receiving or distributing a controlled dangerous substance. Because of the serious penalties associated with a conviction for this crime, it is in your best interest to contact a skilled and knowledgeable attorney who will work to get you the best possible outcome 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 Cherry Hill, Gloucester, Winslow Township, and Audubon. 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 loitering or wandering in a drug zone, 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.

Loitering or Wandering in a Drug Zone in New Jersey 

The law for loitering or wandering in a drug zone is explained under N.J.S.A. 2C:33-2.1. It provides:

a. As used in this section:

“Public place” means any place to which the public has access, including but not limited to a public street, road, thoroughfare, sidewalk, bridge, alley, plaza, park, recreation or shopping area, public transportation facility, vehicle used for public transportation, parking lot, public library or any other public building, structure or area.

b. A person, whether on foot or in a motor vehicle, commits a disorderly persons offense if (1) he wanders, remains or prowls in a public place with the purpose of unlawfully obtaining or distributing a controlled dangerous substance or controlled substance analog; and (2) engages in conduct that, under the circumstances, manifests a purpose to obtain or distribute a controlled dangerous substance or controlled substance analog.

c. Conduct that may, where warranted under the circumstances, be deemed adequate to manifest a purpose to obtain or distribute a controlled dangerous substance or controlled substance analog includes, but is not limited to, conduct such as the following:

(1) Repeatedly beckoning to or stopping pedestrians or motorists in a public place;

(2) Repeatedly passing objects to or receiving objects from pedestrians or motorists in a public place;

(3) Repeatedly circling in a public place in a motor vehicle and on one or more occasions passing any object to or receiving any object from a person in a public place.

d. The element of the offense described in paragraph (1) of subsection b. of this section may not be established solely by proof that the actor engaged in the conduct that is used to satisfy the element described in paragraph (2) of subsection b. of this section.

Loitering or Wandering in a Drug Zone Penalties in New Jersey 

As mention above, loitering or wandering in a drug zone is a disorderly persons offense. The penalties for this include:

• Up to 6 months in County Jail
• Maximum $1,000 Fine
• Probation
• Community Service
• Mark on criminal record

Contact a Gloucester NJ Wandering or Loitering in a Drug Zone Lawyer

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 loitering or wandering in a drug zone 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.