Demarest NJ Resident Charged with DWI & Drug Possession
The Closter New Jersey police department has reported that they have arrested and charged a Demarest man with possession of heroin, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving under the influence after they found him asleep in his car. To make matters worse, the police have also stated that the defendant became very combative when he was placed in a jail cell at the Colster Police Headquarters. According to the arresting officers, they decided to conduct a welfare check on the defendant once they found him hunched over the center console of his car. During the welfare check they were also able to observe the heroin wax folds in plain view.
In addition to the original charges of possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving while intoxicated, the defendant was also charged with aggravated assault on a police officer, terroristic threats and resisting arrest after he became combative inside the police station. The offenses of terroristic threats, possession of heroin and assault on a police officer are third degree felonies in New Jersey. A third degree felony is punishable by up to five years in a New Jersey State Prison and up to a $15,000 fine except for possession of CDS charges, then it is up to a $35,000 fine. The drug paraphernalia and resisting arrest charges are misdemeanors in New Jersey, which are also known as disorderly persons offenses. If convicted of either one of those offenses, a defendant can be sentenced up to 6 months in the Bergen County Jail and fined up to $1,000. Lastly, provided this is the defendant’s first offense DWI, the defendant can face up to a twelve month loss of their driving privileges and 48 hours in the IDRC.
New Jersey as a whole but especially in Bergen County they have seen a dramatic rise in heroin overdoses. As a result, the local police departments have been out in full force in an effort to combat what some have coined as an epidemic. The Law Offices of Marshall, Bonus, Proetta & Oliveris an experienced Bergen County Criminal Defense Firm. We have been representing individuals charged with heroin distribution, marijuana possession, possession of cocaine with intent for over fifteen years. If you or someone you know has been charged with a criminal offense in towns like Montvale, Garfield, Demarst, Lodi or elsewhere in Bergen County, we can help. If you would like a free initial consultation with any one of our eight criminal defense attorneys on staff please contact our office directly at 1-800-682-4037.