New Jersey Criminal Defense Law Blog : New Jersey Criminal Defense Lawyer & Attorney : John Marshall Law Firm : Drug Crimes, Domestic Violence : Monmouth, Middlesex & Union Counties

Fox News recently released a report that indicated that the largest heroin bust in New Jersey history took place in the last few weeks. The quantity of heroin - 165 pounds. By way of comparison, a total of 300 pounds was seized statewide in NJ during the entire calender year of 2008. The report reinforces the fact that the supply of heroin in New Jersey continues to grow as manifested by this record possession.

Fortunately or unfortunately, our criminal defense firm has occasion to defend more and more individuals on heroin charges. The pain and misfortune that individuals can experience as a result of involvement with this drug is inescapable. It seems that the wreckage of heroin is virtually endless. All that one has to do is walk into any County Drug Court and recognize that individuals often accrue years of criminal arrests for heroin possession after they become hooked on the drug. The sad point is that while we  succeed in keeping most of these individuals out of jail (even in heroin distribution cases), the number of people who find themselves charged with a heroin offense continues to grow.

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

I am not surprised to learn that there has been an increased supply of Heroin in New Jersey. We have definitely noticed a spike in the number of individuals charged with Heroin related offenses and the article I just read in the NY Times concerning the clearance of heroin in Asia may explain why the number of arrests is up.

The political turmoil in Southeast Asia and, in particular, Thailand, has apparently prompted growers to wholesale heroin at record low prices. They are unloading supply in hopes of collecting their money now rather than risking losses associated with a change in politics in their counties. The report went as far as to indicate that some heroin suppliers are selling on credit. It hard to believe - distribution of heroin on credit! The increased supply of heroin provides some explanation of why we are seeing a heightened incidence of suspects arrested for heroin possession and so too, possession with intent to distribute heroin, in New Jersey.

What has gone into defending this influx of heroin charges has really depended on the severity of the offense. With three criminal defense attorneys, two former prosecutors, and over sixty (60) years in practice, we have been asked to defend everything from Third Degree possession offenses to First Degree Drug Kingpin arrests. We can only hope that our success in defending these new cases is consistent with that which we have enjoyed in the past.

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

New Jersey court statistics show that shoplifting arrests are up throughout the state. Many attribute this to the downturn in the economy. Irrespective, it is clear that our criminal defense law firm has seen a spike in retail theft charges. A significant portion of those arrested involves suspects who are not a citizen, for example, a green card holder or even visa holder (e.g. H1 or H4). A shoplifting conviction can be particularly troublesome for such a person.

When someone is admitted to the country on a temporary basis, it is typically achieved through an immigration visa. When the admission stems from sponsorship by an employer, it is termed a H1 visa. The dependents of someone holding a H1 visa are also admitted into the country under a H4 visa. Both H1 & H4 visas are temporary and must periodically be renewed or extended. A shoplifting conviction can, however, significantly complicate this effort.

There are various basis for Removal, also referred to as Deportation, or non-renewal of a visa by immigration authorities. A single conviction for shoplifting traditionally provided no issue as to Deportation, Removal or Non-Renewal but we are finding that this is not necessarily the situation for H1 & H4 visa holders these days. We recently had an individual held up by Homeland Security, Customs and/or INS, upon returning to New Jersey from oversees. The client had apparently pled guilty to shoplifting years prior and was now consulting us because their immigration status was in jeopardy because of the conviction. We were consulted for purposes of filing an application for Post-Conviction relief. The petition to vacate the shoplifting conviction is pending. The immigration status of our H4 client and her husband, a sponsored employee on a H1 visa, is at serious risk. It is unfortunate that cultural differences and a lack of knowledge concerning the NJ legal system often motivate immigrants to simply plead guilty and/or hire the cheapest lawyer they can find. Such a decision can have potentially disastrous consequences.  I am hoping we can overcome the poor decision of our client in this case and avoid Deportation.

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

The Star Ledger recently reported that NJ bears the accolade of having some of the purest heroin in the nation. The reason for the potency of the heroin relates to the ease to which heroin is smuggled into the state. Our various seaports and Newark International Airport apparently make for an enticing entry point for heroin. Insofar as the drug enters the country here, it is less apt to be cut thereby correlating into heroin that is, on average, 72% pure.

The frequency of Heroin Possession and Intent to Distribute charges seems to rise continuously at our criminal defense firm. This should probably be no surprise given the fact that the DEA reports that use of heroin is double the national average in New Jersey among young adults. We witness all walks of life being arrested for heroin offenses. This is a powerful and high addictive opiate for anyone who makes the decision to ingest it more than once. Thankfully, we can assist many defendants who have been charged with heroin related crimes before they reach the point of no return.

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

The subject of extradition has seen recent attention in the last several weeks. A major portion of this publicity has come as a result of the Roman Polanski case. Mr. Polanski is in the process of being extradited to the United States. In another case, a UK hacker who apparently broke into United States military computers, has lost his fight and the extraditing process shall now be effectuated.

We receive calls and are consulted, over and over again, by individuals interested in Fighting Extradition to New Jesey. The honest truth is that avoiding extradition is extremely rare and objections often only serve to delay the inevitable. An Extradition Waiver can avoid this delay but that was not something which the UK Hacker was willing to adopt. The same appears to be the case with Mr. Polanski who is preparing to fight transport back to authorities in the United States. I am not optimistic that his fight shall have any success given my experience in NJ Extradition.

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link