Kenneth Vercammen's Law office represents individuals
charged with criminal and serious traffic violations throughout New Jersey.
There are a number of viable defenses and arguments which
can be pursued to achieve a successful result for someone charged with
possession of Narcotics (CDS). Advocacy, commitment, and persistence are
essential to defending a client accused of involvement with Narcotics.
Our office represents people charged with crimes. We provide
representation throughout New Jersey. Criminal charges can cost you. If
convicted, you can face prison, fines over $10,000, jail, Probation over 18
months and other penalties. Don't give up! Our Law Office can provide
experienced attorney representation for criminal violations. Our website
njlaws.com provides information on criminal offenses we can be retained to
represent people.
In New Jersey, there are drug laws which established
Schedules of illegal drugs. New Jersey does not call serious drug offense
"felonies". They are called "crimes"
GHB, Rohypnol, and Ketamine
GHB, Rohypnol, and Ketamine are the three drugs most
commonly known as "date rape drugs." Each of them has been used in
recent, high-profile cases to sexually assault incapacitated victims.
The fact is that any drug or alcohol can make a intended
victim less able to protect him or herself, but these drugs have an added
punch: Each of them can make someone unable to defend herself against attack in
a very short time in some cases, it takes less than one minute!
These drugs are also sometimes taken intentionally for
various "high" experiences. Although Rohypnol and Ketamine have
legitimate medical uses, they are not safe to take without medical supervision.
None of these drugs is something to experiment or play with. All have addictive
potential and all can cause fatal overdoses quite easily.
Ketamine is a Controlled Substance, Schedule 3 drug
NJSA 24:21-7 Schedule III
7. Schedule III. Drugs
a. Tests. The commissioner shall place a substance in
Schedule III if he finds that the substance: (1) has a potential for abuse less
than the substances listed in Schedules I and II; (2) has currently accepted
medical use in treatment in the United States; and (3) abuse may lead to
moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
b. The controlled dangerous substances listed in this
section are included in Schedule III, subject to any revision and republishing
by the commissioner pursuant to section 3d., and except to the extent provided
in any other schedule.
c. Any material, compound, mixture, or preparation which
contains any quantity of the following substances associated with a stimulant
effect on the central nervous system:
(1) Amphetamine, its salts, optical isomers, and salts of
its optical isomers.
(2) Phenmetrazine and its salts.
(3) Any substance which contains any quantity of
methamphetamine, including its salts, isomers, and salts of isomers.
(4) Methylphenidate.
d. Any material, compound, mixture, or preparation which
contains any quantity of the following substances having a potential for abuse
associated with a depressant effect on the central nervous system:
(1) Any substance which contains any quantity of a
derivative of barbituric acid, or any salt of a derivative of barbituric acid,
except those substances which are specifically listed in other schedules
(2) Chlorhexadol
(3) Glutethimide
(4) Lysergic acid
(5) Lysergic acid amide
(6) Methyprylon
(7) Phencyclidine
(8) Sulfondiethylmethane
(9) Sulfonethylmethane
(10) Sulfonmethane
(11) Ketamine hydrochloride.
e. Nalorphine.
f. Any material, compound, mixture, or preparation
containing limited quantities of any of the following narcotic drugs, or any
salts thereof:
(1) Not more than 1.80 grams of codeine or any of its salts
per 100 milliliters or not more than 90 milligrams per dosage unit, with an
equal or greater quantity of an isoquinoline alkaloid of opium.
(2) Not more than 1.80 grams of codeine or any of its salts
per 100 milliliters or not more than 90 milligrams per dosage unit, with one or
more active, nonnarcotic ingredients in recognized therapeutic amounts.
(3) Not more than 300 milligrams of dihydrocodeinone or any
of its salts per 100 milliliters or not more than 15 milligrams per dosage
unit, with a four-fold or greater quantity of an isoquinoline alkaloid of
opium.
(4) Not more than 300 milligrams of dihydrocodeinone or any
of its salts per 100 milliliters or not more than 15 milligrams per dosage
unit, with one or more active, nonnarcotic ingredients in recognized
therapeutic amounts.
(5) Not more than 1.80 grams of dihydrocodeine or any of its
salts per 100 milliliters or not more than 90 milligrams per dosage unit, with
one or more active, nonnarcotic ingredients in recognized therapeutic amounts.
(6) Not more than 300 milligrams of ethylmorphine or any of
its salts per 100 milliliters or not more than 15 milligrams per dosage unit,
with one or more active, nonnarcotic ingredients in recognized therapeutic
amounts.
(7) Not more than 500 milligrams of opium or any of its
salts per 100 milliliters or per 100 grams, or not more than 25 milligrams per
dosage unit, with one or more active, nonnarcotic ingredients in recognized
therapeutic amounts.
(8) Not more than 50 milligrams of morphine or any of its
salts per 100 milliliters or per 100 grams with one or more active, nonnarcotic
ingredients in recognized therapeutic amounts.
g. The commissioner may by regulation except any compound,
mixture, or preparation containing any stimulant or depressant substance listed
in subsections a. and b. of this schedule from the application of all or any
part of this act if the compound, mixture, or preparation contains one or more
active medicinal ingredients not having a stimulant or depressant effect on the
central nervous system; provided, that such admixtures shall be included
therein in such combinations, quantity, proportion, or concentration as to
vitiate the potential for abuse of the substances which do have a stimulant or
depressant effect on the central nervous system.
CONCLUSION
If charged with any criminal offense, immediately schedule
an appointment with a criminal trial attorney. Don't rely on a real estate
attorney, public defender or a family member who simply attended law school.
When your life and job is on the line, hire the best attorney available.
KENNETH VERCAMMEN & ASSOCIATES, PC
ATTORNEY AT LAW
2053 Woodbridge Ave.
Edison, NJ 08817
(Phone) 732-572-0500
(Fax) 732-572-0030
TRIAL AND LITIGATION EXPERIENCE
In his private practice, he has devoted a substantial
portion of his professional time to the preparation and trial of litigated
matters. He appears in Courts throughout New Jersey several times each week on
many personal injury matters, Criminal and Municipal/ traffic Court trials,
Probate hearings, and contested administrative law hearings.
Mr. Vercammen served as the Prosecutor for the Township of
Cranbury, Middlesex County and was involved in trials on a weekly basis. He
also argued all pre-trial motions and post-trial applications on behalf of the
State of New Jersey.
He has also served as a Special Acting Prosecutor in
Woodbridge, Perth Amboy, Hightstown, Carteret, East Brunswick, Jamesburg, South
Brunswick, South River and South Plainfield for conflict cases. Since 1989, he
has personally handled hundreds of criminal and motor vehicle matters as a
Prosecutor and now as defense counsel and has had substantial success.
Previously, Mr. Vercammen was Public Defender for the
Township of Edison and Borough of Metuchen and a Designated Counsel for the
Middlesex County Public Defender's Office. He represented indigent individuals
facing consequences of magnitude. He was in Court trying cases and making
motions in difficult criminal and DWI matters. Every case he personally handled
and prepared.
His resume sets forth the numerous bar associations and
activities which demonstrate his commitment to the legal profession and
providing quality representation to clients.
Since 1985, his primary concentration has been on litigation
matters. Mr. Vercammen gained other legal experiences as the Confidential Law
Clerk to the Court of Appeals of Maryland (Supreme Court) with the Delaware
County, PA District Attorney Office handling Probable Cause Hearings, Middlesex
County Probation Department as a Probation Officer, and an Executive Assistant
to Scranton District Magistrate, Thomas Hart, in Scranton, PA.
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. Do you understand that 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. In Drug Cases, a mandatory DEDR penalty of $500-$1,000,
and lose your driver's license for 6 months - 2years. You must pay a Law
Enforcement Officers Training and Equipment Fund penalty of $30.
11. You may be required to do Community Service.
12. You must pay a minimum Violent Crimes Compensation Board
assessment of $50 ($100 minimum if you are convicted of a crime of violence)
for each count to which you plead guilty.
13. You must pay a $75 Safe Neighborhood Services Fund
assessment for each conviction.
14. If you are being sentenced to probation, you must pay a
fee of up to $25 per month for the term of probation.
15. You lose the presumption against incarceration in future
cases. 2C:44-1
16. You may lose your right to vote.
The defense of a person charged with a criminal offense 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 a criminal offense.
Jail for Crimes and Disorderly Conduct:
If someone pleads Guilty or is found Guilty of a criminal
offense, the following is the statutory Prison/Jail terms.
NJSA 2C: 43-8 (1) In the case of a crime of the first
degree, for a specific term of years which shall be fixed by the court and
shall be between 10 years and 20 years;
(2) In the case of a crime of the second degree, for a
specific term of years which shall be fixed by the court and shall be between
five years and 10 years;
(3) In the case of a crime of the third degree, for a
specific term of years which shall be fixed by the court and shall be between
three years and five years;
(4) In the case of a crime of the fourth degree, for a
specific term which shall be fixed by the court and shall not exceed 18 months.
2C:43-3 Fines have been increased recently! 2C:43-3. Fines
and Restitutions. A person who has been convicted of an offense may be
sentenced to pay a fine, to make restitution, or both, such fine not to exceed:
a. (1) $200,000.00 when the conviction is of a crime of the
first degree;
(2) $150,000.00 when the conviction is of a crime of the
second degree;
b. (1) $15,000.00 when the conviction is of a crime of the
third degree;
(2) $10,000.00 when the conviction is of a crime of the
fourth degree;
c. $1,000.00, when the conviction is of a disorderly persons
offense;
d. $500.00, when the conviction is of a petty disorderly
persons offense;
If facing any criminal charge, retain an experienced
attorney immediately to determine you rights and obligations to the court.
Current criminal charge researched by Kenneth Vercammen, Esq. 732-572-0500
