Tafelski

drug possession lawyers

Welcome to the Paul J. Tafelski, Criminal Defense Attorney webpage for Drug Offenses. We have experience representing clients charged with drug possession and drug or narcotic sales, delivery or manufacture in Detroit, Troy, Rochester Hills, West Bloomfield, Bloomfield Hills, Royal Oak, Plymouth, Canton, Wayne County, Oakland County, Macomb County, and throughout Michigan. Narcotic and drug offenses are among the most widely prosecuted crimes in Michigan. If you have not been charged with a drug violation, do not answer any questions without an attorney present. You have rights that you may not be familiar with, and an attorney can protect those rights. If the police want to talk to you it is likely that they do not have enough information to charge you yet and are hoping you will incriminate yourself. Contact our criminal attorneys immediately if the police want to speak with you!

If you have been charged with a drug offense you should call us immediately to discuss your case and the legal strategies that may be available to you.

Penalties for drug convictions are severe and can range from prison to jail, probation, community service along with heavy fines and court costs. An experienced criminal attorney who knows federal and state laws, the judges and prosecutors can effectively defend your rights. We have helped many clients whose legal problems involved alcohol or drugs. In some cases, we have helped them help themselves by beginning the rehabilitation process while their case is pending.

Federal and state drug possession laws make it a crime to willfully possess illegal controlled substances such as marijuana, methamphetamine, cocaine, LSD, "club drugs," and heroin. Drug crimes may include trafficking, possession, possession with intent to sell, and being under the influence of a controlled or illicit substance. The most frequent strength in cases against clients is the physical evidence, such as drugs seized in the arrest, or the results of tests conducted by law enforcement. A qualified drug possession lawyer can defend against drug charges by challenging the validity of that evidence by reviewing how it was found, seized or tested. A qualified lawyer can also negotiate to minimize penalties, reduce charges or try to negotiate a rehabilitation program in lieu of other penalties.

Many people harbor the mistaken belief that only addicts have drug problems. This is simply not true. Anyone can become addicted to drugs but many people who are not addicts get caught with recreational type drugs. In addition, drug dependence can happen accidentally, when legally prescribed drugs cause a chemical dependence. In the case of Oxycontin, its powerful addictive potential is becoming more evident each day. People turn to drugs to fight pain, whether it's physical and a legitimate use of medicine, or relief from stress or mental anguish. In the eyes of the law, heroin junkies and an employed professional possessing Vicodin face the same legal issues and penalties. Juveniles charged with drug offenses can have their futures tarnished for indiscretions that most people would describe as youthful mistakes. Our firm considers the short term and long term consequences of these problems when formulating an overall strategy to represent you.

It has become increasingly common for people to be charged with "Combination" DUI cases involving alcohol and other drugs, sometimes even over the counter medications. There has been an explosion of cases where people who have not consumed enough alcohol to impair their driving were also using medications or recreational drugs which gave the presentation of impairment to arresting police officers. The increasing use of anti-anxiety drugs such as Prozac, Paxil and Zoloft along with many other mood altering drugs has led to an increase in these combination cases. Even some over the counter medications can have a synergistic effect leading the unsuspecting driver to appear impaired or confused. These cases are complex to defend but we have the expertise to help you. If you have been arrested for a "combination" DUI then you need to call now.

It's imperative to have a criminal defense lawyer who not only represents your best interests in the justice system, but can also explain the important issues to you clearly and guide you to resources that can treat any drug problem you or a loved one may have.

For a list of common Michigan drug-related statutes, click here.

If you have been accused of drug related offense, do not hesitate to contact the office of Paul J. Tafelski at 313-879-0001 or contact our drug possession lawyers today. Do not jeopardize your future; these are serious charges with serious penalties if convicted.

Drug Possession Resources

• Michigan Statutes: Drug Possession
• Macomb County District Courts
• Oakland County District Courts
• Wayne County District Courts
• Approved bail bondsmen for Oakland County, Michigan
• Approved bail bondsmen for Macomb County, Michigan
• Rehabilitation Resources throughout Michigan

For the fastest response at night and on weekends please email me. I check my Blackberry frequently and will respond as soon as I see your message.