A 49-year-old woman and her 54-year-old husband are facing drug charges after a two-week investigation led undercover narcotics agents to the couple's Phillipsburg home on June 10, authorities said. Executing a search warrant, police seized some 500 bags of heroin from the home, reportedly.
Police booked the couple into the Warren County Correctional Center. The 49-year-old woman faces charges of distribution of heroin, possession of a small amount of heroin and possession with intent to distribute heroin. Police charged the 54-year-old man with possession of a small amount of heroin and possession with intent to distribute heroin.
If convicted, people facing drug-distribution charges may see their lives change irrevocably. With the possibility of prison time, fines and a permanent criminal record, drug offenders may struggle to obtain vital things like housing and employment. On account of these high stakes, it is crucial for people in legal situations similar to this New Jersey couple's to mount an aggressive defense against the charges.
This begins with retaining the counsel and resources of a criminal defense attorney. The defense attorney may scrutinize the police reports and evidence constituting the drug charges for inaccuracies, contradictions and contamination. For, problems with police work and incriminating evidence may be grounds to have the charges reduced or dismissed altogether.
However, when the police work and evidence appear to be unassailable, the defense attorney might advise taking a plea deal. If available, this type of agreement negotiated between the defense attorney and prosecutors may allow the accused individuals to receive a lighter sentence in exchange for entering a guilty plea. Moreover, it precludes the case from going to trial, which can be a risky proposition when the prosecution's case is substantial.
Source: WFMZ, "Phillipsburg couple arrested on drug charges", June 11, 2014