Manalapan Township sees a high amount of drug abuse. This may be surprising considering the high standard of living and picturesque scenery in much of Manalapan Township. However, it is the high economic standard that much of Manalapan enjoys that also leads to the ability to afford illegal drugs. Call now to speak with a NJ drug charge lawyer if you have been arrested in Manalapan.
Manalapan Police make a substantial amount of drug arrests in the township. There is very little New Jersey State Police or FBI activity in Manalapan. Most Manalapan drug arrests are made by police in their "patrol" function. These include after motor vehicle stops. Some Manalapan drug charges are made after investigation by Manalapan police detectives. Manalapan police commonly make both adult and juvenile arrests in Manalapan.
Most Manalapan drug arrests are for marijuana possession. Marijuana is an easy target for law enforcement officers due to its pungent and easily identifiable odor. Possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana (NJSA 2C:35-10a4) or drug paraphernalia (NJSA 2C:36-2) will send you to the Manalapan Municipal Court.
The Manalapan court has jurisdiction over these and all other disorderly persons offenses committed in the township. After being arrested and processed by Manalapan police, you will likely be released with copies of the complaints and a summons to appear in Manalapan Municipal Court for a first appearance.
This first appearance is called an arraignment. Do not panic if your first appearance is weeks or even just days after your arrest. This is normal. The first appearance is mostly scheduled for your protection. This gives the court the opportunity to ensure that you are aware of the charges and the penalties you face.
If you retain an attorney before your first appearance, your arraignment may be waived at the discretion of the court. Since your time is almost certainly better spent at work or school rather than in court, we always try to waive first appearance for clients.
The most commonly used tactic in defending against drug charges is to contest the search. Most drug charges in Manalapan are initiated after traffic stops, where police search your car or person. Some searches are made of homes in Manalapan as well. If the police do not have a warrant to search you, the search must fit into on of the exceptions to the warrant requirement.
If you are charged with an indictable drug offense such as possession of CDS such as cocaine, oxycontin, pain killer, or cocaine, your case will be sent to the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office for review. Any adult, indictable drug charge in Manalapan will ultimately be heard in the Monmouth County Superior Court - Law Division, Criminal Part. All juvenile drug charges in Manalapan, including for marijuana or paraphernalia, will be heard by the Superior Court - Family Part.
An experienced criminal defense lawyer can go over the evidence in your case to ensure that your rights are protected and that you receive the best possible defense. My main office is only minutes from the Manalapan Municipal Court in Freehold.
