Plead Guilty to Drug Possession and Lose Your Driver's LicenseIn New Jersey, a conviction on drug possession could mean the loss of your driver's license for six months to two years. |
When charged with drug possession, many people just plead guilty. After all, it was a only small amount of drugs. It's not that serious — right?
Never plead guilty to any crime without talking to a lawyer first. You need to know your options and all of the consequences of them.
For example, if you plead guilty to marijuana possession, cocaine possession, meth possession or another drug crime involving a small amount, you're probably expecting a fine or maybe some community service.
What you may not realize is that your guilty plea could mean losing your driver's license for up to two years. In addition, a conviction for any drug crime can impact your ability to get a job or rent an apartment.
At the Law Office of Edward P. Vidal, we want to help you understand all of your options and protect your rights. We provide dedicated criminal defense for people facing charges anywhere in South Jersey. Contact our office by e-mail or call (856) 234-1616 to schedule a consultation. We offer a free consultation in most cases.
Charged With Drug Possession? We Can Help
Attorney Edward Vidal and our legal staff have defended many people charged with drug possession in South Jersey. In addition to providing vigorous criminal defense, we may be able to provide real options for you that less experienced lawyers may miss.
We want you to know that there are a number of options that could minimize the damage of a drug charge. In these three programs, a guilty plea is not required so you don't have to lose your driver's license:
- Drug Court: New Jersey's drug court is for people who have had prior drug convictions due to drug addiction. The program is challenging, but completing it can make the consequences of a conviction much less severe.
- Conditional Discharge: This option is available to first-time offenders in municipal court. It is somewhat like probation in that you will be required to not commit new offenses, comply with drug screening and keep appointments with a probation officer. Unlike probation, successfully completing conditional discharge results in your charges being dismissed completely.
- Pre-trial Intervention: This option is available for first-offenders in superior court, and can allow first-time offenders to deal with their offenses out of court. A guilty plea is not required in drug possession cases.
Whether you qualify for these particular programs or not, the Law Office of Edward P. Vidal is dedicated to protecting your rights, your future and your freedom through effective criminal defense. Contact us to schedule a consultation.
