Drug Offenses
A drug offense charge is a very serious matter with potentially lifelong implications. You must take every step possible to obtain the best resolution in order to minimize the devastation that a possible drug conviction can impose on your life. The first step is to obtain a good criminal attorney.
Anthony P. Kearns III, Victor A. Rotolo and the legal team at Kearns Rotolo Law have the criminal defense experience necessary to represent your interests.
Anthony Kearns and Victor Rotolo are experienced trial attorneys prepared to provide you with legal counsel from the moment you are charged through trial, if necessary. Whether dealing with minor criminal offenses or more serious criminal charges, Messrs. Kearns, Rotolo and the other attorneys at Kearns Rotolo Law will provide the representation you need to protect your rights.
Anthony P. Kearns, III, Former Two-Term Hunterdon County Prosecutor
Anthony Kearns has experience working on both sides of the criminal justice systems and has garnered statewide recognition as a criminal defense attorney. He is the only Hunterdon County prosecutor to date to have been appointed to that position for two terms, giving him the distinction of being Hunterdon County’s longest serving prosecutor. This experience afforded Mr. Kearns unique insight into how the State prepares and prosecutes criminal cases, which he now uses to mount skilled and powerful defense of the charges against his clients.
Mr. Kearns was chosen for membership to the National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers in 2024, an invitation-only professional organization composed of the premier trial lawyers from each state or region who meet precise qualifications as civil plaintiff and/or criminal defense trial lawyers.
Victor A. Rotolo, Trial Attorney with More Than Four Decades of Experience
Victor Rotolo, a former officer with the Elizabeth, NJ Police Department, has 40-plus years’ experience as a practicing trial attorney in the State of New Jersey. During this time, he has represented thousands of clients in all stages of litigation throughout the courts of New Jersey and has successfully argued cases before the New Jersey Supreme Court as well.
New Jersey Super Lawyers List
Anthony P. Kearns and Victor A. Rotolo have been included on the List of New Jersey Super Lawyers for 2025. Mr. Rotolo has been included on this list since 2006 marking this his twentieth consecutive year of inclusion. This is Mr. Kearns second year of selection. The list of New Jersey Super Lawyers is generated by the Thomson Reuters organization which employs the following methodology and set of standards to compile the list each year. Super Lawyers Selection Methodology [No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court.]
Martindale-Hubbell Rating
Both Anthony P. Kearns and Victor A. Rotolo have achieved the highest rating of “AV” by Martindale-Hubbell, the oldest nationally recognized legal reference company in the country. Martindale-Hubbell employs the following methodology and set standards to determine ratings. Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings Methodology. [No aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court.]
Certified Civil Trial Attorney
Victor A. Rotolo is certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Civil Trial Attorney.
“A certified attorney is more than just an attorney who specializes in a particular area of law. A New Jersey attorney who is certified by the Supreme Court as a civil trial attorney must have:
- been a member in good standing of the New Jersey bar for over 5 years
- demonstrated a substantial level of experience in civil trial law
- been favorably evaluated by other attorneys and judges familiar with his or her work
- taken and passed a written examination in civil trial law.”
Source: Supreme Court of New Jersey, Board on Attorney Certification, Brochure on Certified Civil Trial Attorney. See Rule 1:39: Specialty Certification of Attorneys.
About Drug Offenses
In legal terms, ‘drug offense’ refers to possession, use, sale or furnishing of any intoxicating substance, drug, or drug paraphernalia prohibited by law. It is a crime to willfully possess controlled substances such as illegally obtained marijuana, cocaine, crystal meth, methamphetamines, ecstasy, LSD, “club drugs,” heroin, and in certain instances prescription drugs. Possessing accessories related to drug use referred to as ‘drug paraphernalia,’ as well as “precursor” chemicals used in drug cultivation and manufacturing may also be considered a crime.
The severity of the penalty of a drug crime is based on several factors among them: the quantity involved, whether or not there appears to be intent to sell or distribute the controlled substance, the type of drug involved, whether or not there was a weapon possession, and the geographic area of the offense.
Possession of what is deemed a ‘small’ quantity may be considered “simple” possession, whereas possession of a large quantity may be presumed to be “possession with intent to distribute,” and, therefore, a more serious violation punishable by a heavier penalty.
The more serious the crime, the more reason to hire an attorney who is serious about your representation. An experienced attorney will know what questions to ask and conduct an efficient and targeted investigation to provide an effective defense. Some issues often investigated and answered are as follows: Was there probable cause for a search warrant? Was there a search warrant? Was the evidence obtained illegally? Anthony P. Kearns and Victor A. Rotolo can help you find the answers to these questions.
If you have been accused of a drug crime or you have been arrested for possession, talk to an attorney. Contact Kearns Rotolo Law today.
Victor Rotolo successfully argues before the NJ Supreme Court in a case of constitutional import, in which the Court ruled that a DUI conviction cannot be used in any later DUI case for sentencing purposes if, (1) the individual plead or was found guilty, and (2) the individual was not advised of his/her right to counsel and, as to indigent individuals, the right to assigned counsel.