Twenty-three individuals in New Jersey were recently arrested for allegedly committing crimes involving drugs and weapons. Their arrests came at about 2 a.m. on a recent Wednesday. However, people who are accused of drug and gun crimes are always presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Authorities reportedly seized seven handguns along with drug money totaling $360,000 from a home and motor vehicles while arresting the 23 parties in two separate New Jersey counties. At that time, police also allegedly seized over two pounds of the drug heroin and about one pound of cocaine. Police said that while searching the home and vehicles, they also discovered prescription Oxycontin and Xanax pills.
During the search, police also allegedly uncovered a stun gun, firearm holsters, handcuffs, prohibited magazines, and bullets along with a bulletproof vest. The individuals who were arrested ranged in age from 18 to 59. In addition, two of the people arrested reportedly led the uncovered drug network.
The 23 individuals accused of drug and gun crimes have the right to proceed to trial to fight their criminal charges. At trial, prosecutors must be able to prove their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt before any convictions can be handed down. If the defendants feel that the prosecution’s evidence is robust, they may choose to seek plea deals with the prosecution instead, as this may lead to lighter charges and thus more lenient sentences than what may result following guilty verdicts at trial. An attorney will push for the best outcome for his or her client given the circumstances surrounding his or her arrest in New Jersey.