Distribution in School Zone

Strategy Session

While a phone consultation will give you the opportunity to discuss your case with The Law Offices of Howard W. Bailey, we would like to offer you an opportunity to present at no charge or obligation a more detailed written description relaying the facts of your case on our Strategy Session Form page.

New Jersey Drug Distribution – School Zone Defense Lawyer

If you are distributing drugs within 1000’ of an elementary or secondary school (K-12), you will be charged with this crime. This charge is in addition to the charge of Possessing the Drugs, and the Possession of the drugs with intent to distribute them. This charge has mandatory prison sentencing consequences, even if you plead guilty instead of taking the case to trial.

If you are charged with Distribution or Possession with Intent to Distribute Drugs within 1000’ of a School, consult immediately with a knowledgeable NJ criminal defense lawyer. Call Howard Bailey at 973-982-1200 for a free consultation.

Defense for a Client Charged with Drug Trafficking in a School Zone

If at all possible, establish that the drugs were possessed for use only. If you had the drugs for personal use only, you cannot be convicted of this offense. Always contest the issue of whether the location was actually within 1000’ of an elementary or secondary school. In a recent case, Howard Bailey was able to establish that the location where the client had been observed to hand the suspected buyer ‘something’ was not in the school yard, even though where the client was arrested was inside the ‘zone’. Since the drugs were never in the zone, this charge was dismissed by the prosecutor, and the client was given probation instead of a prison sentence.

Possession with Intent to Distribute CDS in a School Zone

If you have drugs, in an amount that is suitable for distribution, and merely happen to be inside the school zone (within 1000’ of the school) you can be convicted of this crime. There is no requirement that you distributed in the zone, there is no requirement that children were present or that school was even in session.

If you are charged with this crime or other drug-related offenses, consult immediately with a knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer. Call Howard Bailey at 973-982-1200 for a free consultation to learn what you need to do to defend your rights and freedom.