FAQs

Facing drug offense charges in New Jersey is a serious matter. New Jersey prosecutors handle drug crimes aggressively and often seek incarceration for those charged. If you're facing drug charges in New Jersey, the consequences can be severe, making it critical to consult with a criminal attorney immediately after your arrest.


Drug possession penalties in New Jersey can be substantial, depending primarily on the quantity of drugs found and any previous drug convictions. For instance, marijuana possession (under 50 grams) can lead to up to 18 months of incarceration and fines reaching $15,000. Possession of dangerous controlled substances like methamphetamine, LSD, heroin, or cocaine may result in up to five years behind bars and fines as high as $25,000.


When authorities suspect manufacturing, distribution, or trafficking of drugs, the penalties become even more severe. Based on the type of drug and the severity of the offense, consequences can include decades of imprisonment, tens of thousands of dollars in fines, forfeiture of property and assets, lifetime parole requirements, and other significant penalties.


In New Jersey, drivers convicted of driving under the influence of drugs (DUID) face extremely serious charges. First-time DUID offenders can receive up to 30 days in jail, a $500 fine, mandatory enrollment in New Jersey's Intoxicated Driver Resource Center (IDRC) Program, and suspension of driving privileges for seven months to one year. Repeat DUID offenses carry harsher penalties, including up to six months of jail time, increased fines, and a 10-year license suspension. Additional consequences apply for drivers convicted of DUID with a minor in the vehicle or while driving through a school zone.


Keep in mind that in New Jersey drug cases, the prosecution must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Don't take the risk of being represented by an overburdened public defender when facing drug charges. Contact the Law Offices of Jason C. Pollack, a respected drug and DUI attorney in Camden County, for assistance.

A white-collar crime is a financially driven offense committed to secure personal or business benefits or to obtain or avoid losing money or property. White-collar crimes are characterized by deception, breach of trust, and concealment. Unlike other crimes, white-collar offenses don't rely on violence or physical force.


In New Jersey, white-collar crimes are covered under N.J.S.A. 2C:21-1, which prohibits fraudulent conduct and deception. The notion that white-collar crimes are victimless is misleading. In reality, a single fraudulent operation (such as Bernie Madoff's Ponzi scheme from the early 2000s and earlier) can ruin lives and, in Madoff's case, eliminate the retirement savings of thousands of hardworking individuals.


Given the serious impact of white-collar criminal activity, New Jersey (and sometimes federal agencies like the SEC, IRS, U.S. Postal Service, and Department of Labor) treat these offenses with utmost seriousness and pursue convictions aggressively.


What types of crimes are considered white-collar? Numerous offenses fall under the white-collar category in New Jersey and require representation by a criminal lawyer. Examples include money laundering, counterfeiting, copyright infringement, racketeering, embezzlement, tax evasion, cybercrimes, insider trading, extortion, bribery, forgery, financial information falsification, regulatory oversight evasion, and self-dealing by corporate insiders.

Shoplifting is a frequent offense, but its prevalence doesn't diminish its seriousness. If you're caught shoplifting in New Jersey, you may face substantial penalties, including potential jail time. Working with a criminal defense and traffic violation lawyer in Camden County, such as the attorneys at The Law Offices of Jason C. Pollack, can help you achieve the most favorable outcome.


What constitutes shoplifting in New Jersey? While most people know that taking merchandise without payment is shoplifting, New Jersey's definition is somewhat more expansive. You may have committed shoplifting if you remove merchandise from a store without paying, conceal or hide items in your clothing or bag even before leaving the store, or modify price tags or other markings to lower an item's price.


What are the penalties for shoplifting? Shoplifting penalties vary based on several factors, including the merchandise value and any prior shoplifting history. First-time offenders who take items valued under $200 may face up to six months in jail, though they're often sentenced to probation and fines instead. As the value of stolen goods increases, penalties become more severe. Shoplifting merchandise worth more than $500 can result in three to five years of imprisonment. Additional charges and penalties may apply if you're involved in organized retail theft.


Shoplifting also carries significant financial consequences. Beyond your own fines and court costs, New Jersey law permits retailers to pursue you for the complete value of stolen merchandise, plus any court fees or expenses they incur related to your case.


What should you do if you're caught shoplifting? Given the serious penalties involved, defending yourself against a shoplifting charge isn't something you should attempt alone. If you're facing shoplifting charges, it's advisable to contact a criminal defense attorney as quickly as possible.


When consulting with your attorney, provide complete honesty. Your communications with your attorney are confidential. At The Law Offices of Jason C. Pollack, P.C., we have a criminal defense and traffic lawyer in Camden County prepared to assist with shoplifting charges or other legal matters. Reach out to us today for a complimentary initial consultation.

It's natural to feel anxious if you've been caught driving with a suspended license in New Jersey. What will this cost me? Will my license be suspended even longer? How can I challenge this charge? Fortunately, the Law Offices of Jason C. Pollack, P.C. can connect you with a traffic lawyer in Camden County who can provide the best approach to your situation. We recognize what you're experiencing and how valuable your driving privileges are, and we'll work to reduce the penalties in your case.


There are important things to understand about being caught driving with a suspended license in New Jersey. First, you'll face a minimum fine of $500. That fine increases to $750 for a second offense and $1,000 for a third offense. Your license may also be suspended for an additional six months beyond your current suspension. For second or third offenses, you could face five to ten days of potential jail time.


These aren't penalties you should handle without legal representation. It's essential to have experienced traffic violation attorneys working for you to help prevent conviction and reduce potential penalties. Based on the specific circumstances of your case, we may be able to convince the court to lower the charges and expedite the restoration of your driver's license.


One critical aspect we'll examine when reviewing your case is the original reason for your license suspension. License suspensions occur for numerous reasons, and while some stem from serious causes like reckless driving, DUI, or causing a fatal accident, many suspensions result from purely administrative issues. Your license might have been suspended for failing to provide insurance documentation, failing to pay surcharges, or failing to appear in court.


We leverage our extensive experience as prominent traffic violation lawyers in Camden County to negotiate reduced charges and minimize serious penalties. Reach out to us today if you need assistance fighting a suspended license driving charge.

Being charged with a DUI is never favorable. In New Jersey particularly, you should consult with a DUI attorney in or near Camden County because the state enforces stricter penalties than most other states. However, despite New Jersey's stringent regulations, receiving a federal DUI charge introduces an entirely new dimension of complexity to the legal help you'll require.


It's completely understandable if you assume that all DUI charges follow your home state's laws. Few people intend to violate those laws, and even fewer may know that the federal government has its own set of penalties. Here's what you should know about federal DUI charges:


Where can you face federal charges? A federal DUI charge applies to anyone caught driving under the influence on federal property, such as Fort Dix. In New Jersey, this means that if you're driving while intoxicated in a national park, on a military base, or other federal land, you may face charges from both the federal government and the state. While this might seem to contradict the concept of double jeopardy or being prosecuted twice for the same offense, it's permissible because both federal and state governments have authority over the location where you were driving. Because of this shared jurisdiction, you're subject to charges from both entities.


How does it alter the charge? Facing federal charges modifies the DUI in several ways. Most importantly, a federal DUI charge brings harsher penalties, including increased fines, extended license suspension periods, and longer incarceration for each offense. Additionally, and perhaps most significantly, it transforms the DUI charge from a traffic violation into a criminal offense. While DUIs in New Jersey are serious, they don't result in criminal penalties since they're handled as matters that can be resolved in traffic court. The federal government, however, treats a DUI charge as a criminal offense, which typically includes some period of incarceration at a federal facility.


What options exist after a conviction? If you've received a federal DUI conviction, you still have options available. In certain situations, an appeal may be possible, providing another chance to present your case, although federal-level criteria differ from those in traffic court.


If an appeal isn't feasible, the only way to address your conviction is through a presidential pardon. Without such a pardon, the federal DUI charge will remain on your record permanently. To learn more about being charged with a DUI on federal property, or to consult with a DUI defense attorney serving Burlington County, contact The Law Offices of Jason C. Pollack, P.C. today!