Camden County NJ Xanax Possession and Distribution Lawyer

Prescription Drug Charges Attorney with Offices in Collingswood, New Jersey

Xanax, also referred to as “bars”, “zannies,” or “blues,” is a prescription drug generally used to treat those with anxiety and depression problems. Despite the benefits Xanax can provide if proscribed by a doctor, it can also be highly addictive and dangerous when used as a recreational drug. In fact, recent statistics show that there were over 300,000 emergency room visits as a result of benzodiazepines, a main ingredient of Xanax. Due to these statistics and the dangerous nature of the drug, prosecutors will seek harsh penalties in these cases. If you have been charged with possession or distribution of Xanax, you should speak to a knowledgeable and skilled attorney who has experience dealing with drug cases and can keep the penalties to a minimum.

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 Clementon, Somerdale, Gloucester, and Cherry Hill. 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 xanax, 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 Xanax Statute: N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10.5

Xanax is considered to be a benzodiazepine which is a main ingredient of a number of other drugs including valium and restoril.  Xanax is a schedule IV drug since it has accepted medical use but can also lead to addiction. It is illegal to carry this drug 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: Xanax Possession, Possession with Intent to Distribute, Distribution – This is the most serious offense under the statute. 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: Xanax 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: Xanax 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: Xanax 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 Xanax 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 xanax to a law enforcement officer. This is a disorderly persons offense punishable by 6 months in county jail and potential drivers license suspension. Many xanax related cases get downgraded to this. 

Contact a Clementon NJ Xanax 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 xanax 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.