New Jersey Statutes 2C:35-21. Seizure in violation of chapter; pretrial destruction of bulk seizures of controlled dangerous substances
Terms Used In New Jersey Statutes 2C:35-21
- Controlled dangerous substance: means a drug, substance, or immediate precursor in Schedules I through V, marijuana and hashish as defined in this section, any substance the distribution of which is specifically prohibited in N. See New Jersey Statutes 2C:35-2
- Controlled substance analog: means a substance that has a chemical structure substantially similar to that of a controlled dangerous substance and that was specifically designed to produce an effect substantially similar to that of a controlled dangerous substance. See New Jersey Statutes 2C:35-2
- Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- Laboratory: means a laboratory to be entrusted with the custody of narcotic drugs and the use of controlled dangerous substances or controlled substance analogs for scientific, experimental, and medical purposes and for purposes of instruction approved by the Department of Health. See New Jersey Statutes 2C:35-2
- State: means the State of New Jersey. See New Jersey Statutes 2C:35-2
- Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
In the event that the defendant objects to the application to destroy all or some portion of the controlled dangerous substance or controlled substance analog, defense counsel shall within 20 days of receiving notice from the prosecuting authority serve notice of objection upon the trial judge and the prosecuting authority. The notice of objection shall include the reasons therefor. Failure to comply with the time limitations regarding the notice of objection required by this section shall constitute a waiver of any objections to the destruction of all or some portion of the substance.
The decision to order the destruction of the substance shall be vested in the sound discretion of the trial court. Prior to the issuance of any order authorizing the destruction of all or some portion of the controlled dangerous substance or controlled substance analog, and subject to reasonable supervision by laboratory or agency personnel, defense counsel shall be afforded an opportunity to inspect or test the substance.
The State, county or municipal forensic laboratory authorized to destroy all or some portion of the controlled dangerous substance or controlled substance analog shall file with the court a certificate under oath attesting to the date on which the substance was destroyed, the quantity of the substance destroyed, and the method used to destroy the substance.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the photographic record made in accordance with the provisions of this section, upon proper authentication, may be introduced as evidence in any court.
L.1987, c.106, s.1; amended 1988,c.44,s.11.