Possession of Firearm in Drug Trafficking Crime Lawyer in Hudson County, NJ

A federal charge for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime under 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) in Hudson County carries a mandatory minimum 5-year prison sentence consecutive to any drug penalty. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. provides a strong defense against these combined federal charges. Our firm-wide experience includes 4,739+ documented case results.

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Federal Statute for Drug and Gun Charges

In federal court, the charge of using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime is governed by 18 U.S.C. § 924(c). This statute is separate from the underlying drug offense and imposes severe, mandatory penalties. The law is prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, which has jurisdiction over Hudson County cases.

Last verified: April 2026 | Superior Court of NJ, Hudson Vicinage | 18 U.S.C. § 924 (official U.S. Code)

Founded in 1997 by former prosecutor Mr. Sris, our firm understands how federal prosecutors build these contested cases. The government must prove a direct connection between the firearm and the drug crime, which is a key point for defense.

Official Legal Resources

Understanding the statutes and the local federal court is critical. The official text of the federal law is available through the U.S. Government Publishing Office. For Hudson County, federal criminal cases are heard in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.

Defense Strategy for Combined Charges

Successfully defending against a § 924(c) charge requires attacking the government’s evidence on multiple fronts. The prosecution must prove you knowingly possessed the firearm and that it was used “in furtherance of” the drug crime. A common defense is to challenge whether the firearm’s presence was merely coincidental or was actively employed in the trafficking operation.

Immediate Case Review: After arrest, secure all discovery from the U.S. Attorney’s Office to analyze the search warrants, surveillance, and forensic reports linking the gun to the drugs.
Motion to Suppress: File motions challenging the constitutionality of the search and seizure that found the firearm and narcotics. If evidence is suppressed, the § 924(c) charge may collapse.
Severance Strategy: Explore legal arguments to sever the gun charge from the drug charge for trial, which can limit the prejudicial impact of the firearm evidence on the jury.
Plea Negotiation: If the evidence is strong, negotiate with the prosecutor to drop the § 924(c) charge in exchange for a plea to the drug offense, avoiding the mandatory consecutive sentence.
Trial Preparation: If proceeding to trial, develop a clear narrative for the jury that separates your possession of the firearm from the intent to further drug trafficking.

Potential Penalties for Federal Drug and Gun Crimes

In Hudson County federal court, a conviction for possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking under 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) mandates a prison sentence of at least 5 years, which must run consecutively to the sentence for the underlying drug crime.

Offense	Classification	Mandatory Incarceration	Maximum Fine	Additional Consequences
18 U.S.C. § 924(c) (First Offense)	Federal Felony	5 years minimum, consecutive	$250,000	Forfeiture of firearm; supervised release
18 U.S.C. § 924(c) (Subsequent Offense)	Federal Felony	25 years minimum, consecutive	$250,000	Forfeiture; lifetime supervised release possible
Underlying Drug Trafficking Crime (e.g., 21 U.S.C. § 841)	Federal Felony	Varies by drug type/quantity (e.g., 5-40 years)	$5,000,000+	Asset forfeiture; loss of federal benefits

Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Why Choose Our Firm for Your Federal Defense

Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. was founded in 1997 and brings a combined 120+ years of legal experience to federal cases. Our founder, Mr. Sris, is a former prosecutor with a background that provides a strategic advantage in dissecting the government’s case. We approach each federal drug and gun charge with a detailed plan focused on the specific facts and legal vulnerabilities in the prosecution’s evidence.

Mr. Sris

Owner & CEO, Managing Attorney

Mr. Sris is a former prosecutor and the founder of the firm. He is admitted to practice in Virginia, Maryland, DC, New Jersey, and New York. With a background in accounting and information systems, he is particularly adept at handling financial and technical aspects of federal cases. He provides strategic oversight on serious criminal defense matters, accepting a limited number of cases to ensure deep, strategic involvement.

Our Approach to Federal Gun and Drug Cases

Our defense strategy begins the moment you contact us. We immediately work to secure your release and gather all evidence. For possession of firearm in drug trafficking crime charges, we meticulously review all police reports, search warrants, and forensic analyses to identify constitutional violations or weaknesses in the government’s link between the gun and the drugs. Our firm-wide track record includes 4,739+ documented case results.

Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Contact Our Hudson County Federal Defense Lawyers

Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. — New Jersey
44 Apple St, 1st Floor
Tinton Falls, NJ 07724
Toll-Free: (888) 437-7747 | Local: (609)-983-0003
By appointment only.

Our New Jersey location serves clients facing charges in Hudson County, including Jersey City, Hoboken, and North Bergen. We offer 24/7 phone consultations. Meetings are held by appointment only.

FAQs: Federal Drug and Gun Charges in Hudson County

What does “in furtherance of” mean in a § 924(c) charge?

It depends. The government must prove the firearm was strategically placed to be readily available for use during the drug trafficking crime, not merely present. Our defense often focuses on creating reasonable doubt about this specific intent.

Can the mandatory 5-year sentence be reduced or run concurrently?

No. By law, the 5-year minimum sentence for a first-time § 924(c) conviction must be served consecutively (added on) to any sentence for the underlying drug crime. It cannot be run concurrently or reduced below 5 years.

What is the main difference between state and federal gun charges in drug cases?

Federal charges under 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) carry mandatory minimum sentences that must be served consecutively. New Jersey state gun charges, while serious, may offer more judicial discretion in sentencing and potential for parole. Federal convictions also mean serving time in a federal prison, not a state facility.

If the drug charge gets dismissed, what happens to the gun charge?

The § 924(c) charge is dependent on a conviction for the underlying drug trafficking crime. If the drug charge is dismissed or you are found not guilty, the firearm charge typically cannot stand. This is why a strong defense against the underlying crime is critical.

Should I talk to federal agents if they want to question me?

No. You have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney. Politely decline to answer questions and immediately request to speak with your lawyer. Anything you say can be used to build the prosecution’s case against you.

Related Practice Areas: For other serious charges, you may need a drug and gun charge defense lawyer Hudson County for state-level offenses, or an armed drug trafficking lawyer Hudson County for other federal allegations. Explore our New Jersey Criminal Defense hub for more information.

Last verified: April 2026. Laws change. Contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 for current legal guidance regarding possession of firearm in drug trafficking crime charges.