Attorney Paul Tafelski is a criminal defense attorney who has been handling drug-related cases in Michigan for almost 20 years. He sees a number of different types of cases, related to every kind of situation you might imagine.
At Michigan Defense Law, our Michigan criminal defense lawyers, led by attorney Tafelski, have a deep understanding of Michigan’s drug laws and can fight to safeguard your interests. A drug charge can have severe consequences, it is crucial to seek legal guidance from a skilled lawyer when facing drug charge penalties in Michigan. Our lawyers can provide the legal representation that you need to protect your rights and achieve the best possible outcome for your case. Contact us today at (248) 451-2200 to schedule a free consultation and take the first step toward building a strong defense.
Is Possession of a Controlled Substance a Felony?
Federal agents and local law enforcement in Michigan have joined forces to combat the illicit drug trade by apprehending and prosecuting individuals found in possession of controlled substances. There are five distinct schedules in which various substances, such as narcotics and prescription drugs, are categorized. Schedule I and II drugs are highly susceptible to abuse and lack recognized medical value, whereas substances in Schedules III to V have a lower potential for abuse and offer some medicinal benefits.
Section 333.7403 of the Michigan Public Health Code contains the guidelines concerning drug possession regulations in Michigan. As per the law in Michigan, it is illegal to possess a controlled substance, a controlled substance analogue, or a prescription form without a valid prescription, when done knowingly or intentionally.
Michigan enforces some of the most stringent drug laws in the United States, and individuals convicted of possessing controlled substances may face imprisonment and fines. Moreover, certain Michigan courts are renowned for their strict and unwavering approach toward drug offenders. Michigan state prosecutors are dedicated to vigorously pursuing convictions when individuals are discovered in possession of Schedule I or II drugs such as heroin, cocaine, ecstasy, and methamphetamine, as well as Schedule III-IV drugs, which encompass certain prescription medications.
Any offenses involving the use of a controlled substance are classified as misdemeanors, while possession of heroin, cocaine, ecstasy, and methamphetamine is categorized as felonies. Furthermore, the possession of any controlled substance or possession with the intent to distribute is also classified as a felony offense.
If you’ve been charged with a drug offense, it’s crucial to seek the guidance and support of an experienced Michigan criminal defense lawyer. At Michigan Defense Law, our skilled lawyers can provide representation and strive for the best possible outcome in your case. Contact us today and take the first step towards safeguarding your future.
How Often Are Charges Either Reduced Or Dropped?
In the majority of cases where the client doesn’t have prior drug convictions, attorneys are able to work out some kind of deal for them to either lower the charges or give them an opportunity to get the charges dismissed and ultimately keep their record clean.
However, once they already have prior drug convictions, then it becomes more difficult but still there are times when attorneys are successful even in those situations. So, you never want to give up until you’ve exhausted every effort to try to get the best possible outcome.
What Sets The Michigan Defense Law Apart In Dealing With Drug Charge Cases?
Experience sets the Michigan Defense Law apart. They have been doing this for many years and in many different locations. They’re familiar with the mistakes that sometimes get made by the police, there are some of the misconduct that occurs at the hands of the police where drugs were found improperly or a stop isn’t proper. They know where to look to try to challenge the evidence. In the event that there is an illegal arrest or an illegal search, they’re able to identify that and challenge it.
They also understand the problems people face with the drugs and the type of complications that occur in their life and through experience, they’re able to present those things in a way that appears more favorable to the client and it usually gets them some extra considerations by the prosecutor or the judge when it comes to sentencing because they know how to best present their client’s situation and how they got to that point and what they’re going to do about it and how they’re going to make their lives better.
Overall, it’s familiarity and experience with clients facing these kinds of problems and the court systems and how they deal with it.
What Options Do People Have Once They Are Arrested And Charged With Possession Of Drugs?
Many times, people who get arrested and charged with a possession of drugs, especially marijuana or other types of street drugs, they don’t feel they have much alternative but to show up in court and throw themselves at the mercy of the court.
People need to realize that even if you happen to be totally guilty and caught red-handed and the police didn’t do anything wrong, there is still a lot that can be done to help your situation, whether it be keeping this conviction off of your record or keeping your driving privileges or minimizing how long you’re on probation and what the terms and conditions are going to be.
There are definitely things that can be done to make this less of a problem than it may otherwise be. For example, on any felony, the judge can put you on probation for up to 5 years even if they don’t put you in jail. During that 5 years, they can make you do drug and alcohol tests 3 or 4 times a week for the whole period. In case if you violate, they can put you in jail and send you to prison.
If you were going to get 3 years of probation and instead you got one-year probation, that would be a much better outcome for you. So you have to look at all the details because people don’t appreciate how difficult the court can make things on them if they don’t put their best foot forward and don’t understand what the court wants from them when facing a drug charge.
If you want to contact a criminal defense attorney after a drug charge, call Michigan Defense Law for a free initial consultation at (248) 451-2200 and get the information and legal answers you’re seeking.
| Options for Individuals Arrested and Charged With Possession Of Drugs | Details |
|---|---|
| Court appearance and plea | Appearing in court and entering a plea, which may result in a conviction on record |
| Legal assistance and defense strategy | Seeking legal representation and developing a defense strategy to potentially reduce probation duration |
| Compliance with drug and alcohol testing | Complying with frequent drug and alcohol tests to avoid violations and potential jail time or imprisonment |
| Understanding court expectations | Gaining an understanding of court expectations to negotiate favorable probation terms |
| Exploring alternatives to incarceration | Exploring options to avoid jail or prison sentences, preserving personal freedom |
