Possession of Federally Scheduled Drugs in Michigan Carries Severe Consequences

by | Mar 28, 2013 | Criminal Law

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The possession of illicit substances in Michigan is a serious infraction, and police spend a significant amount of time pursuing cases related to drug crimes. Many people lose their livelihoods and their lives due to drug addiction, and the violence associated with drug trafficking and the illegal sale of drugs and narcotics often has an unnecessarily fatal cost. The illegal sale and use of illicit substances in the state of Michigan is considered to be destructive to residents and to the quality of the social structures upon which the basis of community is formed. For that reason, those who are caught in possession of illegal substances, trafficking them or selling them are not treated lightly.

Men and women who have been charged with possession, trafficking or the sale of illegal federally scheduled substances often find that it is necessary to consult with a drugs and narcotics attorney in Kent County, MI as soon as possible. First time offenders can have a greater chance of having sentencing reduced as part of a plea agreement if they agree to attending mandatory drug counseling, sometimes with the possibility of diversion, which means after completion of a drug program all charges may be dropped. Depending on the nature of the charge and the specific substance related to the case, consequences of course may vary. In any event, one cannot rely upon the mercy of the court if charged with a drug crime for obvious reasons. A seasoned drugs and narcotics attorney is often the only recourse many defendants have.

Many people who are addicted to drugs are in the life against their own desires. Punishing them for an addiction over which they have little control is unfortunately the status quo. A seasoned drugs and narcotics attorney in Kent County, MI knows the ins-and-outs of the law not only for the state, but in the local municipalities, which may vary depending on the charge. One of the most common tactics successfully used by lawyers is to question the method by which drugs were discovered, and whether the police had a legal right for search and seizure. For instance, given that a majority of drug arrests are made in traffic stops, an attorney will logically question whether or not the police had a legally justifiable reason to stop the vehicle (or even a pedestrian) in the first place. If it can be shown that a stop was not justified, the rest of the case can usually be thrown out – even sif drugs were found on the individuals in question.