A conviction for a Michigan drug crime can carry serious penalties, including jail time, fines, and probation. A drug crime conviction can also lead to far-reaching consequences like expulsion from school, difficulty securing housing or employment, or loss of a job or professional license. An experienced drug lawyer by your side can help you ensure your future.
Even if you were simply in possession of marijuana in an amount in excess of Michigan’s recreational drug laws, you could be facing severe penalties. Fortunately, an experienced Michigan criminal defense attorney can defend you against drug crime charges and minimize the negative effects of drug crime allegations.
At Elmen Legal, I represent people in Ann Arbor and throughout Michigan who are charged with drug crimes, including:
Drug trafficking is charged based on the weight of the controlled substance and not necessarily the movement of drugs across state lines. Conviction for drug trafficking is a Class A felony, punishable by up to life in prison.
Selling and distributing drugs is the crime of furnishing, selling, or delivering a controlled substance. It is a Class B felony, punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
Drug possession is the crime of having controlled substances on your person, in your car, residence, office, or any area you have control over.
Cultivating and manufacturing drugs is the crime of growing or making drugs, and includes the growth or manufacture of even small amounts of drugs, even if they are for your own personal use.
Punishments for these crimes varies based on the classification and amount of controlled substance in your possession.
If you are in possession of large amounts of controlled substances you could be charged with federal crimes of drug trafficking, distribution, manufacturing, or cultivation. These crimes are often accompanied by federal conspiracy charges. They are almost always classified as felonies and carry hefty fines and lengthy jail sentences.
Sometimes drug crime investigations start weeks or even months before an arrest is made or charges are filed.
If you believe you are under investigation for committing a Michigan drug crime, get an attorney on your side as soon as possible. Law enforcement may be listening to your phone conversations, tracking your whereabouts, and gathering evidence they will use to try to convict you.
An experienced criminal defense attorney can help protect your rights so things you say or do cannot be used against you, and can help minimize the impact of any evidence the prosecutor is able to gather.
As with any crime, in order to convict you the prosecutor must prove all elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt.
Common defenses to drug crime allegations include unwitting possession, lack of possession, police abuse of power, unlawful search and seizure, problems with the crime lab analysis, entrapment, and exceptions for medical marijuana.
At Elmen Legal I help people who have been accused of violating Michigan drug laws. In some cases, I may be able to help you work through a diversion program that will result in the case against you being dropped. In other cases, we will need to fight the charges on their merits.
I will work with you to investigate the charges against you and the state’s evidence, and will make a recommendation on how to proceed based on your unique circumstances and the facts of your case.
We may be able to challenge the manner in which the evidence was obtained, whether the police officer had probable cause to believe you violated the law, whether the search warrant was valid, and whether evidence was handled properly.
While every case is unique, my commitment to my clients never wavers. As your drug lawyer, I will work hard to defend you against allegations of Michigan drug crimes, will try to negotiate a favorable plea bargain or have the case against you dismissed, and will take your case to trial if necessary.
At Elmen Legal I proudly represent throughout Michigan in Ann Arbor, Saline, Pittsfield Township, Chelsea, or Ypsilanti, in Washtenaw, Wayne, Monroe, Lenawee, Hillsdale, Jackson, Ingham, Livingston, and Oakland Counties.
Learn more about Michigan criminal defense attorney Robert Elmen, get answers to Frequently Asked Questions, and learn why clients choose to work with Elmen Legal.
If you have been charged with a Michigan drug crime in or around Ann Arbor contact Elmen Legal today. Schedule a free initial consultation by calling me at (734) 707-8915, or by emailing robert@elmenlegal.com.
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