Marijuana advocates in New Jersey are thrilled at the state’s recent advancements towards giving their citizens greater freedoms with the controversial substance. Recently, a nationwide movement has caused many states to legalize the medicinal use of the drug, and some states have also begun moving towards legalizing the recreational use of marijuana. A new bill proposed in New Jersey seeks to do just that and more.
New Bill Package Will Legalize Recreational Marijuana
This proposed bill package, which is moving forward in New Jersey’s legislative branch, seeks to completely legalize the recreational use of weed for adults. One of the most significant aspects of this bill a measure that would help convicted criminals expunge their criminal records of marijuana-related crimes. This measure has already been approved by the state’s Assembly Appropriations Committee and Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.
System for Expungement
The package calls for a new system that would help expunge marijuana-related crimes from resident’s criminal records. The responsibility of creating the system would fall into the hands of the Administrative Office of the Courts, and a comprehensive plan for the creation of the electronic system is expected to be ready within six months of the bill’s passage. This system will ideally identify low-level offenders with marijuana-related crimes and expunge the crime completely from their record at no cost. The system should also contain a notification campaign to inform citizens about the change in the law and expungement opportunity.
Pending Marijuana-Related Crimes
Many advocates have focused their concern on individuals who will be moving through the justice system at the time the bill is passed. There will likely be dozens of individuals who have been charged with marijuana-related crimes and will be either in jail or awaiting a court date. Once the new package is passed, New Jersey has decided to automatically dismiss all cases involving marijuana possession. Everyone who is imprisoned on charges of less than an ounce of marijuana at the time of the bill’s passage will be released immediately.
Current New Jersey law holds that expungement for controlled substances in the third or fourth degree cannot ever be expunged from a criminal record, but this new bill would eradicate this provision and allow the practice to begin.
Contact an Experienced Moorestown Criminal Defense Lawyer About Your Drug Possession Charges in New Jersey
Were you arrested or charged with drug possession in New Jersey? The consequences of a conviction could be severe, leaving you with a permanent criminal record and possibly even sending you to jail. That is why you need to speak with a qualified criminal defense attorney as soon as possible about your case. /Michele Finizio of The Law Offices of Michele Finizio has successfully represented clients charged with drug possession in Moorestown and throughout New Jersey. Call 856-888-9059 or fill out the online contact form to schedule a consultation with a member of our legal team. We have an office conveniently located at 9 E. Main St., Moorestown.
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