2053 Woodbridge Ave. Edison, NJ 08817

Ken is a NJ trial attorney who has published 130 articles in national and New Jersey publications on litigation topics. He has been selected to write the new ABA book: DUI and Drug Possession Defense".

Monday, October 06, 2014

2C:35-5 Possession with intent to distribute

2C:35-5 .  Manufacturing, distributing or dispensing
 Manufacturing, Distributing or Dispensing.  a.  Except as authorized by P.L.1970, c.226 (C.24:21-1 et seq.), it shall be unlawful for any person knowingly or purposely:

(1)  To manufacture, distribute or dispense, or to possess or have under his control with intent to manufacture, distribute or dispense, a controlled dangerous substance or controlled substance analog; or

(2)  To create, distribute, or possess or have under his control with intent to distribute, a counterfeit controlled dangerous substance.

b.Any person who violates subsection a. with respect to:

(1)  Heroin, or its analog, or coca leaves and any salt, compound, derivative, or preparation of coca leaves, and any salt, compound, derivative, or preparation thereof which is chemically equivalent or identical with any of these substances, or analogs, except that the substances shall not include decocainized coca leaves or extractions which do not contain cocaine or ecogine,  or 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine or 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine, in a quantity of five ounces or more including any adulterants or dilutants is guilty of a crime of the first degree.  The defendant shall, except as provided in N.J.S.2C:35-12, be sentenced to a term of imprisonment by the court.  The term of imprisonment shall include the imposition of a minimum term which shall be fixed at, or between, one-third and one-half of the sentence imposed, during which the defendant shall be ineligible for parole.  Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection a. of N.J.S.2C:43-3, a fine of up to $500,000.00 may be imposed;

(2)  A substance referred to in paragraph (1) of this subsection, in a quantity of one-half ounce or more but less than five ounces, including any adulterants or dilutants is guilty of a crime of the second degree;

(3)  A substance referred to in paragraph (1) of this subsection in a quantity less than one-half ounce including any adulterants or dilutants is guilty of a crime of the third degree except that, notwithstanding the provisions of subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:43-3, a fine of up to $75,000.00 may be imposed;

(4)  A substance classified as a narcotic drug in Schedule I or II other than those specifically covered in this section, or the analog of any such substance, in a quantity of one ounce or more including any adulterants or dilutants is guilty of a crime of the second degree;

(5)  A substance classified as a narcotic drug in Schedule I or II other than those specifically covered in this section, or the analog of any such substance, in a quantity of less than one ounce including any adulterants or dilutants is guilty of a crime of the third degree except that, notwithstanding the provisions of subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:43-3, a fine of up to $75,000.00 may be imposed;

(6)  Lysergic acid diethylamide, or its analog, in a quantity of 100 milligrams or more including any adulterants or dilutants, or phencyclidine, or its analog, in a quantity of 10 grams or more including any adulterants or dilutants, is guilty of a crime of the first degree. Except as provided in N.J.S.2C:35-12, the court shall impose a term of imprisonment which shall include the imposition of a minimum term, fixed at, or between, one-third and one-half of the sentence imposed by the court, during which the defendant shall be ineligible for parole. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection a. of N.J.S.2C:43-3, a fine of up to $500,000.00 may be imposed;

(7)  Lysergic acid diethylamide, or its analog, in a quantity of less than 100 milligrams including any adulterants or dilutants, or where the amount is undetermined, or phencyclidine, or its analog, in a quantity of less than 10 grams including any adulterants or dilutants, or where the amount is undetermined, is guilty of a crime of the second degree;

(8)  Methamphetamine, or its analog, or phenyl-2-propanone (P2P), in a quantity of five ounces or more including any adulterants or dilutants is guilty of a crime of the first degree. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection a. of N.J.S.2C:43-3, a fine of up to $300,000.00 may be imposed;

(9)  (a)  Methamphetamine, or its analog, or phenyl-2-propanone (P2P), in a quantity of one-half ounce or more but less than five ounces including any adulterants or dilutants is guilty of a crime of the second degree;

(b)  Methamphetamine, or its analog, or phenyl-2-propanone  (P2P), in a quantity of less than one-half ounce including any adulterants or dilutants is guilty of a crime of the third degree except that notwithstanding the provisions of subsection b. of  N.J.S.2C:43-3, a fine of up to $75,000.00 may be imposed;

(10)  (a)  Marijuana in a quantity of 25 pounds or more including any adulterants or dilutants, or 50 or more marijuana plants, regardless of weight, or hashish in a quantity of five pounds or more including any adulterants or dilutants, is guilty of a crime of the first degree.  Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection a. of N.J.S.2C:43-3, a fine of up to $300,000.00 may be imposed;

(b)  Marijuana in a quantity of five pounds or more but less than 25 pounds including any adulterants or dilutants, or 10 or more but fewer than 50 marijuana plants, regardless of weight, or hashish in a quantity of one pound or more but less than five pounds, including any adulterants and dilutants, is guilty of a crime of the second degree;

(11)  Marijuana in a quantity of one ounce or more but less than five pounds including any adulterants or dilutants, or hashish in a quantity of five grams or more but less than one pound including any adulterants or dilutants, is guilty of a crime of the third degree except that, notwithstanding the provisions of subsection b. of  N.J.S.2C:43-3, a fine of up to $25,000.00 may be imposed;

(12)  Marijuana in a quantity of less than one ounce including any adulterants or dilutants, or hashish in a quantity of less than five grams including any adulterants or dilutants, is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree;

(13)  Any other controlled dangerous substance classified in Schedule I, II, III or IV, or its analog, is guilty of a crime of the third degree, except that, notwithstanding the provisions of subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:43-3, a fine of up to $25,000.00 may be imposed; or

(14)  Any Schedule V substance, or its analog, is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree except that, notwithstanding the provisions of subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:43-3, a fine of up to $25,000.00 may be imposed.

c.Where the degree of the offense for violation of this section depends on the quantity of the substance, the quantity involved shall be determined by the trier of fact.  Where the indictment or accusation so provides, the quantity involved in individual acts of manufacturing, distribution, dispensing or possessing with intent to distribute may be aggregated in determining the grade of the offense, whether distribution or dispensing is to the same person or several persons, provided that each individual act of manufacturing, distribution, dispensing or possession with intent to distribute was committed within the applicable statute of limitations. 

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Middlesex County  New Jersey 08840
Providing confidential legal representation in cases in all Central New Jersey


Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Seminar: Top Recent Criminal and Traffic Cases in NJ September 30


Seminar: Top Recent Criminal and Traffic Cases in NJ
September 30 from 5:00pm-5:45  Tuesday
Co-Sponsor Local 9 Retired Police & Fire Middlesex & Monmouth Chapter

   Location: Law Office of Kenneth Vercammen, 2053 Woodbridge Ave, Edison, NJ 08817
     COST: Free if you pre-register. Complimentary materials provided. This program is limited to 15 people. Please bring a canned food donation, which will be given to the St. James Food Bank located on Woodbridge Avenue in Edison, NJ. Please email us if you plan on attending or if you would like us to email the materials.
SPEAKER: Kenneth Vercammen, Esq.
Past President Middlesex Municipal Court Prosecutors
Contributing writer for the NJ Police Chief Magazine.
Honorary Member Retired Police & Fire Middlesex & Monmouth Local 9
Past Special Counsel by the Office of the Attorney General to represent the NJ Motor Vehicle Commission in Fatal accident cases
Author- Criminal Law Forms by the American Bar Association
    To attend email VercammenLaw@Njlaws.com
        Can’t attend?  We can email you materials
Send email to VercammenLaw@Njlaws.com
    Ken Vercammen served as the Prosecutor for Cranbury Township, Middlesex County from 1991-1999. He created the NJ Municipal Court Law Review newsletter to provide police officers and individuals involved in the criminal justice system with recent criminal and traffic cases.  
      Police and Courts find helpful information on new cases involving issues of traffic law and search and seizure. Individuals appearing in the Municipal Court and Criminal Courts may want to receive quarterly updates on cases, selected revised motor vehicle laws, and information on Municipal Court practice.  If your department wants a subscription, the annual cost is only $20.00 to receive by both first class mail and email.

State v. Bruno Gibson (A-11-13) (072257)

State v. Bruno Gibson (A-11-13) (072257) 

Due to the fundamental differences between a pre-trial motion to suppress and a trial on the merits, the best1practice is to conduct two separate proceedings. However, the motion record may be incorporated into the trial record if both parties consent and counsel are given wide latitude in cross-examination. Where the evidence from a pre-trial hearing is improperly admitted at the trial on the merits, the correct remedy is remand for a new trial.

Friday, July 04, 2014

Seminar: Remove & Expungement of Criminal Arrests and convictions- Free Seminar August 6

   Location: Law Office of Kenneth Vercammen, 2053 Woodbridge Ave, Edison, NJ 08817
        COST: Free if you pre-register. Complimentary materials provided at 12:00 sharp. This program is limited to 15 people. Please bring a canned food donation, which will be given to the St. James Food Bank located on Woodbridge Avenue in Edison, NJ. Please email us if you plan on attending or if you would like us to email the materials.
SPEAKER: Kenneth Vercammen, Esq.
                 (Author- Criminal Law Forms by the American Bar Association)
     Under NJ Law past criminal arrests and convictions can be expunged/ erased under certain instances. The Petition all expungements are filed in the Superior Court. It takes a minimum of three months for the court to grant the expungement.  The requirements are very formal. There can be a waiting period between 6 months up to 10 years after the criminal case is finished. For someone who had a drug charge, they can hire an attorney apply for Expungement 6 months after the Conditional Discharge is complete. The statute requires detailed notices served by the attorney on the State Police, Attorney General and numerous other government entities.
         If someone has been arrested or even had a private criminal complaint signed against them in the Municipal Court, they have a criminal record, even if the charges were dismissed or received a Conditional Discharge.  The statute on expungement was revised in 2010. Court costs and Legal fees for expungement range from $1,500-$2,500.
  
     To attend  email VercammenLaw@Njlaws.com
        Can’t attend?  We can email you materials
Send email to VercammenLaw@Njlaws.com

http://www.njlaws.com/expungment-seminar.htm

Friday, June 27, 2014

Sunday, April 06, 2014

Arrested in NJ ? Hire a real criminal defense attorney, not someone who sends you solicitation letters in the mail.

Arrested in NJ ? Hire a real criminal defense attorney, not someone who sends you solicitation letters in the mail.
Kenneth Vercammen's Law Office represents individuals charged with criminal, drug offenses, and serious traffic violations throughout New Jersey. Kenneth Vercammen was the NJ State Bar Municipal Court Attorney of the Year and past president of the Middlesex County Municipal Prosecutor's Association.

Try to Avoid Some of the Consequences of a Criminal Guilty Plea:

1. You will have to appear in open court and tell the judge what you did that makes you guilty of the particular offense(s)

2. If you plead guilty:

a. You will have a criminal record

b. You may go to Jail or Prison.

c. You will have to pay Fines and Court Costs.

3. If you are on Probation, you will have to submit to random drug and urine testing. If you violate Probation, you often go to jail.

4. In indictable matters, you will be required to provide a DNA sample, which could be used by law enforcement for the investigation of criminal activity, and pay for the cost of testing.

5. You must pay restitution if the court finds there is a victim who has suffered a loss and if the court finds that you are able or will be able in the future to pay restitution.

6. If you are a public office holder or employee, you can be required to forfeit your office or job by virtue of your plea of guilty.

7. If you are not a United States citizen or national, you may be deported by virtue of your plea of guilty.

8. You must wait 5-10 years to expunge a first offense. 2C:52-3

9. You could be put on Probation.

10. You may be required to do Community Service.

Don't give up! The Law Office of Kenneth Vercammen can provide experienced attorney representation for criminal and serious motor vehicle violations.

1.      Telephone consultation with client;
2.      Office consultation with client;
3.      Offer sound legal advice to client, plus access to our legal info website www.njlaws.com
4.      Preparation of Letter of Representation to Municipal Court;
5.      Preparation of Letter of Representation to Municipal Court Prosecutor;
6.      Preparation of statement to provide legal services;
7.      Copies of all correspondence to Court and Prosecutor to client;
8.      Opening of file and client may have free client case folder, Municipal      Court brochure, MVC-DMV points brochure, and Website brochure;
9.      Review of necessary statutes and case law;
10.    Follow up with Municipal Prosecutor for discovery if suspension or jail is likely;
11.    Prepare defense and mitigating factors;
12.    Miscellaneous correspondence, preparation and drafting of pleadings and legal   documents in contested serious cases;
13.    Review documents supplied by client and court;
14.    Travel to Municipal Court
15.    Negotiations with the Prosecutor and Representation in Municipal Court.
16.    Preparation of End of Case Letter and client questionnaire.
17.    Free Brochures provided on other legal topics such as Worker's Comp, Wills, Personal Injury
18.    Free  monthly update e-mail newsletter. Provide your email address;
19.    Follow up telephone advice [If you call, provide the specific questions with the message].
20.    Invitation to annual client socials/ seminars and Community events via email.
21.    Hold and maintain file for seven years in storage as free client service.

When your job or driver's license is in jeopardy or you are facing thousands of dollars in fines, surcharges and car insurance increases, you need excellent legal representation.

Kenneth Vercammen & Associates, P.C.
2053 Woodbridge Ave.
Edison, NJ 08817
732-572-0500
Toll Free 1-800-NJLAWS7 (1-800-655-2977)
Personal Injury and Criminal on Weekends 732-261-4005
BeNotGuilty. com


Tuesday, January 07, 2014

State v. David M. Gibson (A-27-12; 070910)

State v. David M. Gibson (A-27-12; 070910)

 There is insufficient evidence in the record to
support a finding that Officer Comegno had probable
cause to arrest Gibson for defiant trespass;
therefore, the subsequent search at the stationhouse
was unconstitutional and the drug evidence seized
during the search must be suppressed. 1-7-14

Wednesday, January 01, 2014

STATE OF NEW JERSEY V. TIMOTHY ADKINS

STATE OF NEW JERSEY V. TIMOTHY ADKINS
 A-5748-12T4/A-5749-12T4(CONSOLIDATED)

Addressing the impact of Missouri v. McNeely, ___ U.S.
___, 133 S. Ct. 1552, 185 L. Ed. 2d 696 (2013), on pending
cases involving warrantless blood tests, we reversed a
trial court order suppressing blood evidence in a DWI and
assault-by-auto case. Consistent with long-standing
rulings of the New Jersey Supreme Court, the police
obtained the blood sample from defendant without a search
warrant. Thereafter, the United States Supreme Court
unexpectedly changed the legal landscape by issuing a
ruling that construed the Fourth Amendment more broadly
than our Court.

On these facts, under Davis v. United States, ___ U.S.
___, 131 S. Ct. 2419, 180 L. Ed. 2d 285 (2011), suppression
would not be the appropriate remedy under federal
constitutional law, because the New Jersey police were
acting lawfully under established New Jersey precedent at
the time of the search. Further, had our own Supreme Court
issued the McNeely ruling as a construction of the New
Jersey Constitution, the ruling would not have been applied
retroactively. Under these unusual and very limited
circumstances, we held that suppression of the evidence in
this case was not required. 12/20/13