Discarding a Hypodermic Needle in NJ
South Orange Criminal Defense Attorneys
Sometimes, doing the right thing can get you in a lot of trouble. You might not have realized that discarding a hypodermic needle or syringe in an unsafe manner could actually result in drug charges. NJ law enforcement and prosecutors typically treat hypodermic needles and syringes as drug paraphernalia, which means that you could face significant penalties simply for having these instruments. Worse yet, you could be looking at jail time for improperly disposing of them.
The experienced criminal defense lawyers at the Tormey Law Firm appear on a daily basis in courtrooms throughout Essex County, including Orange, Irvington, and Fairfield. Our lawyers understand that discarding a hypodermic needle charges are often baseless. That’s why we will aggressively represent you and do everything possible to get your charges dismissed or dropped by the prosecutor. We know how to effectively negotiate with prosecutors because our drug litigation team includes a former county and municipal prosecutor who regularly handled drug prosecutions; now she fights on behalf of defendants in drug cases.
Call the Tormey Law Firm
If you or a loved one has been charged with discarding a hypodermic needle or possession of a hypodermic needle in New Jersey, the Tormey Law Firm can help you. Call us today at 201-654-3464.
Discarding a Hypodermic Needle Statute: N.J.S.A. 2C:36-6.1
N.J.S.A. 2C:36-6.1 prohibits a person from discarding a hypodermic needle or syringe without destroying it. “Destroying” a needle requires the person to break the needle from the hub or mangle the needle; destroying a syringe requires the person to break the nipple of the barrel from the barrel or melt the plunger and barrel.
Additionally, the statute notes that the discarding is considered a violation of the statute only if the location of the discarding is “accessible to other persons.”
It is also a violation of the statute for an owner, lessee or person on control of real property to allow discarded needles or syringes to remain on the property.
Penalties for Discarding a Syringe in Essex County
Discarding a hypodermic needle or syringe is classified as a petty disorderly persons offense. Although these kinds of offenses rarely result in jail time for a first-time offender, there still exists the possibility that you could be sentenced to up to 30 days in county jail and fined as much as $500.
One of the most significant and long-lasting consequences of a conviction for discarding a syringe is that you will have a drug conviction on your permanent record. This could disqualify you from employment and housing opportunities in the future.
Contact a Belleville Discarding a Syringe Attorney
Whether you have been charged with possession of a hypodermic syringe or discarding a hypodermic syringe, the experienced attorneys at the Tormey Law Firm will aggressively represent you and do what is needed to keep your record clear of a drug conviction. Call us at 201-654-3464 to discuss your case, or email us to schedule a free consultation at our office in Newark, NJ.