A ton of drug arrests are made in Toms River Township. Toms River is also known as Dover Township. South Toms River is a separate Municipality with its own court. Toms River, along with New Jersey State Police patrol Dover Township and Toms River, routinely investigating drug distribution and possession. The majority of these arrests are made for marijuana possession and drug paraphernalia possession. However, Toms River is also unfortunately known as the heroin capital of New Jersey. Pharmaceutical pills found without a script also lead to many of these charges in Toms River.
Toms River - Dover Township is located in northern Ocean County, New Jersey. The town borders Lakewood and Manchester Townships. The judge in Toms River the Honorable James Ligouri, J.M.C. The prosecutors are Steven Zabarsky, Paul Branick, and John Reilly, Esq. If you are arrested for a drug charge in Toms River or Dover Township, you will have to appear for an arraignment/first appearance before Judge Ligouri in the Dover Township Municipal Court. If you hire a lawyer, your appearance may be waived. So it's important to contact an experienced defense attorney before you attend the first appearance.
There may be a valid defense to the drug charge. For example, if you were not pulled over for a valid reason, the stop may be challenged. Or, if there was no probable cause to ask for consent to search the vehicle, the consent may be nullified. Other defenses may exist depending on the facts of the case. Anyone convicted of a disorderly persons drug offense in New Jersey may be subject to up to six months in jail and substantial fines. You may also lose your driver's license for a minimum of six months.
A charge of possession of more than 50 grams of marijuana can lead to felony charges. Possession of cocaine or heroin or pills such as Oxycontin usually leads to felony charges as well.
