Two men in New Jersey recently admitted to playing roles in a ring involving drugs. The ring allegedly peddled heroin, cocaine and crack. However, a strong criminal defense can help individuals in this situation to protect their rights and best interests in the criminal justice system.
The two men recently pleaded guilty at separate hearings. They were just two of 12 people charged in connection with the reported drug ring back in September of 2019. According to authorities, the drug network had been in operation since November 2013 or earlier.
Authorities said that the two men had completed several transactions with their alleged drug network’s leader. Specifically, the two men admitted to possessing a drug with the goal of distributing it or conspiring to sell it. One of the men also agreed to give up the hundreds of dollars that police seized when he was arrested. The leader of the alleged network is now awaiting trial in federal court.
When people in New Jersey face charges for serious offenses, it is within their rights to go to trial to fight these charges. However, if the prosecution’s evidence appears to be strong, it may behoove the defendant to seek to negotiate a plea deal with the prosecution. The benefit of a plea deal is that it may lead to a lesser charge and a more lenient sentence for the defendant. A criminal defense attorney will scrutinize the prosecution’s evidence and help the defendant to choose the best option for himself or herself given the circumstances surrounding the criminal case.