Cocaine Possession & Cocaine Distribution charges issued in Bergen County New Jersey
A search of a Fairview man turned up 11 packets of cocaine according to police reports. On Kennedy Boulevard, near 43rd St. police had set up a DWI checkpoint. It was there that they, at 12:39 AM on Thanksgiving morning, stopped a individual who was according to officers on scene, clearly driving while under the influence. When police officers stopped the Fairview resident, he attempted to conceal items in his pockets. A subsequent search of the defendant after he was arrested for driving while intoxicated turned up 11 packets of suspected cocaine. At this point the defendant was placed under arrest for driving while intoxicated, possession of cocaine and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.
In addition, while at Police Headquarters the defendant became violent towards the Police Officers. In fact, the defendant is accused of assaulting multiple police officers. For that reason, in addition to being charged with possession of a controlled substance and with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, he was also charged with multiple counts of aggravated assault. The defendant was taken to the local County jail, and was being held on a $15,000 bail.
This arrest came about as a result of a crackdown that local law enforcement agencies are doing on DWIs. As a result of this crackdown nine individuals were arrested. Two of these individuals, one of them being the above referenced individual, was arrested for CDS possession. The purpose of this DWI crackdown, according to the police chief, is to improve safety conditions for pedestrians and motorists.
If this was the defendant’s first offense driving while intoxicated, he will be facing up to a twelve month loss of his driver’s license provided his Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) was over .10. If this was the defendant’s second offense of driving while intoxicated, he will be facing a two year loss of his driver’s license, provided his first offense was within the last ten years. If this was the defendant’s third or subsequent offense of driving under the influence, the defendant will be facing a ten year loss of his driver’s license and a mandatory 180 days in jail. For the unlawful possession of cocaine and possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute charges, the defendant faces two third degree felonies, where if convicted of both the defendant can face up to 10 years in a New Jersey State Prison. In addition, depending on the injuries suffered by the officers, the defendant will be facing one count of aggravated assault, a crime of the third degree, for each officers involved.
The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall has over 100 years of combined experience on staff. We have the experience and skill set to successfully protect your liberty. If you or someone you know has been charged with a criminal or traffic offense in Bergen County we can help. Please contact any one of our Bergen County Offices for a free initial consultation with any one of our eight criminal defense trial attorneys.