School Zone Drug Violations
School Zone Drug Violations are governed by Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 94C Section 32J. School Zone Drug Violations occur when an individual is charged with the intent to distribute a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school or within 100 feet of a public park or playground.
It is important to note that you can be charged with this crime if you are arrested in your apartment and your apartment is within 1,000 feet of a school. You do not have to be on school property or on public property, and you do not have to know that you are within 1,000 feet of a school. An individual who is charged with this crime cannot claim that he or she did not have knowledge of the boundaries of a school as a defense to this crime.
It is also important to realize that many individuals who are charged with a drug crime in an urban setting, such as Boston or Cambridge, will be subject to an additional school zone drug violation charge. Urban areas are very compact with many schools and parks, and it is very common to be within 1,000 feet of a school or 100 feet of a public park or playground.
Punishment
An individual who is convicted of a school zone drug violation may be sentenced to 2.5 years to 15 years in the state prison or 2 to 2.5 years in a jail or house of correction. There is a mandatory minimum sentence of 2 years imprisonment. In addition to imprisonment, a fine of $1,000.00 to $10,000.00 may be imposed.
Selling drugs in a school zone is a serious offense, and carries significant penalties. With over 40 years of criminal defense experience our criminal defense attorneys have handled numerous school zone cases. Get the advise you need from our experienced aggressive criminal defense lawyers. Our defense attorneys are available 24 hours a day , seven days a week. Call us at 617.492.3000 for a free confidential consultation
It is important to note that you can be charged with this crime if you are arrested in your apartment and your apartment is within 1,000 feet of a school. You do not have to be on school property or on public property, and you do not have to know that you are within 1,000 feet of a school. An individual who is charged with this crime cannot claim that he or she did not have knowledge of the boundaries of a school as a defense to this crime.
It is also important to realize that many individuals who are charged with a drug crime in an urban setting, such as Boston or Cambridge, will be subject to an additional school zone drug violation charge. Urban areas are very compact with many schools and parks, and it is very common to be within 1,000 feet of a school or 100 feet of a public park or playground.
Punishment
An individual who is convicted of a school zone drug violation may be sentenced to 2.5 years to 15 years in the state prison or 2 to 2.5 years in a jail or house of correction. There is a mandatory minimum sentence of 2 years imprisonment. In addition to imprisonment, a fine of $1,000.00 to $10,000.00 may be imposed.
Selling drugs in a school zone is a serious offense, and carries significant penalties. With over 40 years of criminal defense experience our criminal defense attorneys have handled numerous school zone cases. Get the advise you need from our experienced aggressive criminal defense lawyers. Our defense attorneys are available 24 hours a day , seven days a week. Call us at 617.492.3000 for a free confidential consultation
