Arrest for crack

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Question

Country: United States of America
State: New JerseyI got arrested with friend who had one only one bag of crack. She did not claim possession, thus I got arrested. Not a friend anymore. However it was in Paterson, in and knocked from superior court to municipal court. I am 39 years old never been in trouble with the law ever! I can't sleep, I am so nervous because of reading these federal minimum laws; they say a year in jail. Will I go to jail?

Answer

Make sure you get counsel (or at least the public defender) to try to keep this off your record eventually--jail time is probably not likely if your record is very clear now. But having that arrest and/or a conviction on your record will make job-hunting etc. more difficult. Often this could be negotiated down to some kind of court supervision etc. If it eventually appears it cannot be negotiated down, please let us know.