Defense to Possession of Drugs and Controlled Substances

Defense to Possession of Drugs and Controlled Substances 

Advocacy, commitment, and persistence are essential

By Kenneth A. Vercammen 

The defense of a person charged with possession of Controlled Dangerous Substances (CDS) is not impossible. There are a number of viable defenses and arguments, which can be pursued to achieve a successful result. Advocacy, commitment, and persistence are essential to defending a client accused of involvement with controlled dangerous substances. 

The municipal court has jurisdiction to hear the following drug related controlled dangerous substances offenses: NJSA 2C:5 10(a)(4), possession of 50g or less of marijuana or 5g or less of hashish; NJSA 2C:35 10(b), using or being under the influence of CDS; NJSA 2C:35 10(c), failure to deliver cocaine or other CDS to police [county prosecutors often downgrade possession of small amounts of cocaine to this offense]; NJSA 2C:36 2, possession of drug paraphernalia 

At the initial interview the defense attorney must determine what happened, what was told to police and any possible defense witnesses to be interviewed. Defense counsel should completely understand the facts and circumstances of the stop and arrest. Defense counsel should explain to the client the possible penalties which can be imposed. 

Initial In-Office Interview 

If convicted, the court must impose a minimum $500.00 drug enforcement reduction penalty and a $50.00 lab fee for each CDS charge. Moreover, the court must suspend the defendant's driver's license for between six months and two years (unless extreme hardship). Fines and jail vary depending on the amount of drugs and whether the case is heard in superior court or municipal court. In addition, the court can impose probation for up to two years, drug counseling, periodic urine testing, alcohol and/or psychiatric counseling and community service may be imposed. 

The retainer fee must be discussed at the initial interview and you should provide a written retainer statement. For example, I require the full retainer to be paid prior to my entering an appearance. My standard procedure, once we are retained, is to immediately send a discovery letter/letter of representation to both the prosecutor and the administration. 

Conditional Discharge 

For marijuana and small amounts of cocaine, heard in municipal court, N.J.S.A. 2C: 36A 1 provides that a person not previously convicted of a drug offense either under Title 2C or Title 24 and who has not previously been granted "supervisory treatment" under 24:21 27, 2C:43 12 or 2C: 36A 1 may apply for a conditional discharge. The court upon notice to the prosecutor and subject to 2C: 36A l(c) may on the motion of the defendant or the court, suspend further proceedings and place the defendant on supervisory treatment (i.e., probation, supervised or unsupervised attendance at Narcotics Anonymous, etc.). Proof of attendance of such a program is of benefit at sentencing or an application for conditional discharge.

Since the granting of a conditional discharge is optional with the court, defense counsel should be prepared to prove, through letters, documents, or even witnesses, that the defendant's continued presence in the community or in a civil treatment program, will not pose a danger to the community. The defendant must be required to pay a $45.00 application fee, plus the mandatory $500.00 DEDR penalty, and other fees. The court further has the option to suspend a defendant's driver's license for between six months and two years. 

The conditional discharge period is typically between 12 months and two years. If the defendant is convicted of a drug offense during the CD period or violates the conditions set by the court, the prosecution resumes. The defendant may even apply for a conditional discharge after he/she is found guilty, but before the sentence is imposed. If the CD is granted at this point in the proceeding, the 12 to 24 month license suspension is discretional, new judges over impose a license suspensions. 

Discovery

The prosecutor is responsible for providing full discovery. Rules 3:13 3, 7:7-7, State v Polasky, N.J. Super. 549 (Law Div. 1986); State v Tull, 234 N.J. Super. 486 (Law Div. 1989); State v Ford, 240 N.J. Super. 44 (App. Div. 1990). File a Motion to Dismiss for Failure of the state to provide discovery. A timely Motion to Suppress Evidence must be made pursuant to Rule 3:5 7. Do it immediately, do not wait to receive discovery.

Objection to Lab Report 

To prove the substance is CDS, either the lab technician who examined the substance must be called testify, or the state will seek to admit the lab certificate prepared pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:35 19. If the state intends to proffer at trial the lab certificate, a notice of an intent to proffer that certificate and all reports relating to the analysis of the CDS, including a copy of the certificate, shall be served on defense counsel at least 20 days before the proceeding begins. Defense counsel must within 10 days of receipt, notify the prosecutor in writing of defendant's objection to the admission into evidence of the certificate, plus set forth the grounds for objection, 2C:35 l9(c) See State v Simbara 175 NJ 37 (2002) and Crawford v Washington 541 US 36 (2004). Failure by defense counsel to timely object shall constitute a waiver of any objection to the certificate, thus, the certificate will be submitted into evidence.

The Trial 

Defense counsel should subpoena witnesses, sometimes even serving a subpoena duces tecum on the back up officer to compel him to bring to court the object allegedly observed in plain view. Credibility will be tested when the object that was claimed to be in plain view inside a car is actually only one half inch long. Cross examination is pivotal in determining credibility. Failure to subpoena a witness may be malpractice if your necessary witness is not present. 

The burden of primary possession/constructive possession remains on the State. Plea bargaining is not permitted in Municipal Court CDS cases (while it is available in such varied charges as murder, careless driving, or the burning of old tires). Plea bargaining is permitted in Superior Court indictable cases. 

The state must prove knowledge or purpose on the part of the defendant. Knowledge means that the defendant was aware of the existence of the object and was aware of its character. Purpose means it was defendant's conscious object to obtain or possess the item while being aware of its character. Knowledge of the character of the substance may be inferred from the circumstances. 33 N.J. Practice Criminal Law & Procedure (Miller) Sec. 378 p. 563 (2nd Ed 1990). 

If actual possession cannot be demonstrated, defendant's constructive possession may sometimes be shown by proof that the narcotics were subject to dominion and control. If two or more persons share actual or constructive possession, then their possession is joint. Mere presence in premises with other persons where CDS is found is not sufficient, in itself, to justify an inference that a particular defendant was in sole or joint possession of the substance. State v McMenamin 133 N.J. Super. 521, S24 (App. Div. 1975). In State v. Shipp, 216 N.J. Super. 662, 666 (App. Div. 1987), it was held there was insufficient evidence that the defendant, a passenger in the front seat, had constructive possession of CDS contained in envelopes secreted in a vinyl bag resting on the back seat next to another passenger in the car. 

The state must establish the chain of custody. The prosecutor's witness will call witnesses to prove the location of the seized drugs from the moment of initial seizure to the time of testing of the illegal drug. 

If the state will be attempting to introduce a confession or other incriminating statements, defense counsel may request an evidence rule hearing to determine if the requirements of Miranda v. Arizona 384 US. 436 (1966) have been violated. If the defendant elects to take the stand defense counsel must be certain that he testifies with complete candor and does not try to embellish his protestations of innocence. 

Conclusion 

Drug related offenses carry substantial penalties, which will affect a client for the rest of his life. The space limits of this article do not allow detailed explanation of the extensive case law on controlled dangerous substances. 

Vercammen is a trial attorney in Edison. He often lectures for the New Jersey State Bar Association, New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education and Middlesex County College on personal injury, criminal / municipal court law, and drunk driving.