If you are a fan of the “Jersey Shore” program, you probably remember back in 2012 when The Unit, composed of John Manfre and some of his sidekicks were arrested for felony drug possession outside their “Jersey Shore” home.
The MTV reality star was arrested in the summer of 2012 at the “Jersey Shore” party house in the Seaside Heights area when police stated that they found the “Special K” drug in his possession. This is a type of horse tranquilizer that is sometimes abused on the streets.
To avoid the negative publicity, John Manfre, the reality star that guides the show’s popularity, plead guilty to a disorderly person offense, a lesser fine to the drug charge. This helped him avoid a prison sentence.
He agreed to this plea deal for a mere fine of $125 and prosecutors dropped the more serious drug charge. This happened back in 2012 but it is still an example of how a huge legal problem can sometimes be reduced to a lesser charge through the guidance of an attorney who knows how to navigate these murky legal waters.
Was the drug charge a legitimate charge?
Fans of the “Jersey Shore” charge and “The Unit,”was upset when they heard the news, and they feared that the arrest would negatively impact the show’s ratings. But, since Jonny’s lawyers had advised him to take the plea deal for the lesser offense, the damage was controllable.
When interviewed by TMZ magazine, Jonny admitted to having had a drug problem in the past but would not discuss the specifics of his arrest. His statement to the press was, “I’ve had drug issues in the past, and I’ve flourished…I’m a complete man and sober.” This statement seemed to relieve the fears of fans and investors of the show, so he was not negatively affected by the temporary lousy press.
How Attorneys Help with Plea Deals
The case above regarding “The Unit’s” drug arrest and how he avoided a worse PR nightmare is a classic example of how a good attorney can help guide you through the legal process and help you avoid a higher charge by pleading “guilty” to a lesser charge. This is one of those finer points of the law that many people do not understand. It takes a seasoned attorney to help you deal with this and to advise you wisely. You should never plea “guilty” until you have consulted with an attorney and a deal has been made.
Pros and Cons of a “Plea Deal”
Legal issues can be tricky. Should you plea “guilty” for something you know you did and throw yourself on the mercy of the court or follow a different legal strategy? Only an attorney can advise you on this matter. If you do plea guilty to the offense, it is possible that you will get the full punishment for the offense that you pled guilty for.
On the other hand, if you do not plead guilty, but you are proven to be liable in court, you may get a worse sentence because you tried to hide your crime. The court has always considered hiding a crime and trying to deceive the court about your actions as worse than having committed the crime itself. Covering up your bad activities can lead to worse punishment. This is partly because the court likes to see some degree of remorse for crimes so that they have an idea that you will not commit the offense again. To avoid incurring the offense again, you must first admit you committed the crime.
Seeking a Criminal Attorney in New Jersey
Whether you followed the “Jersey Shore” reality show’s legal issues or not, it is a good example of using a plea bargain deal to lower the amount of punishment you might receive from a criminal offense.
This is just one legal strategy that you might want to consider with your attorney. Only by having an attorney sit down and talk to you about the details of your case will you be able to make a determination on whether you should plead guilty or not.
Drug Charges in New Jersey
If you are arrested on a drug charge, you need to know what the law says about arrests and punishments for drug charges in the state of New Jersey.
The drug possession laws in New Jersey are severe. For possession of marijuana (less than 50 grams), a person can face a prison term of up to 6 months, a fine of $1,000, loss of your driver’s license, and a demand for drug rehabilitation. (Code N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10A)
The Finer Points of the Law
The lesser offense that can be stated is a “disorderly person” which is related to the above statute but carries a lesser sentence than drug possession. Again, this is just a different way of viewing the statute that is already on the books. New Jersey criminal attorneys who have a high level of knowledge of the law can help develop a strategy to handle possession charges using the terminology that carries less legal condemnation in the eyes of the court.
How to Find an Attorney
If you live in the Toms River, New Jersey area and have been booked with a drug possession charge, say nothing and do nothing until you have spoken with one of our seasoned criminal attorneys at DTS Law Firm.
Our Attorneys
Ioana L. Enescu and David T. Schlendorf are two criminal defense attorneys that you can count on when you need legal help for a drug possession charge.
Even if you have not yet been charged, but you think it is possible that you will be charged, don’t wait another day before you seek legal advice. You can read more about Ioana and David above or read the “About Me” pages on these two attorneys to learn more about how they can help you with your legal problem.
About DTS Law Firm
At DTS Law Firm, David and Ioana have your best interests at heart. Check out our site then contact us to set up an appointment and speak to one of our attorneys. They can help you avoid costly legal mistakes and get back on the right track.