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CDS stands for controlled dangerous substance. In the state of New Jersey, it is illegal to be under the influence of a CDS unless it is prescribed by a physician for illness or injury. Getting charged with being under the influence of a CDS is categorized as a disorderly person’s offense. Therefore, if you receive this charge, it is important to contact a New Jersey attorney such as Leon Matchin as soon as possible. As a New Jersey attorney, he will go over the details of your case and create a defense that will hopefully get charges dropped or downgraded. Read on to learn more about an under the influence charge and how Leon can help.
Penalties and New Jersey Attorney
A charge of being under the influence of a CDS comes with extensive penalties. The defendant will receive fines up to $1,000, up to six months of jail time, probation, driver’s license suspension for at least six months, and a permanent criminal charge record. However, the penalties further increase if the person is on school property. Being under the influence of a CDS on school property leads to an additional penalty of at least 100 hours of community service.
How Can a New Jersey Attorney Help?
Getting charged with being under the influence of a CDS is a little more complicated than a DUI. There is no breathalyzer test that will tell the police officer that someone is under the influence of drugs. Police officers have to base their assessments on physical and physiological symptoms displayed by the person. This could include needle marks, blood shot eyes, the odor of drugs, and more. However, this is where a New Jersey attorney comes into play.
After discussing the situation, the attorney will create a defense based on the charges being inaccurate. For example, maybe the needle marks were from a medical treatment. Or maybe the defendant’s gait was off because they have a medical condition. In addition, maybe they smelled like drugs because someone around them was using but they were not taking part. There are a variety of ways an attorney can defend someone accused of being under the influence of a CDS.
A charge of being under the influence of a CDS is very serious. Therefore, it comes with a lot of penalties including a criminal record. Fortunately, Leon Matchin, a New Jersey attorney can help with your case. He has many years of experience defending those who have been charged with being under the influence. Call Leon Matchin today at 732-887-2479, or contact him via email at [email protected] for more information about the services he can provide.
