Possible Drug Charge Defenses

Being charged with drug possession can leave you with many emotions, from anger and frustration to confusion and fear, or worse. Whatever you’re feeling, it’s important to know that you have rights and you have legal options. Drug charges in Michigan may be dropped or reduced under the right circumstances. A skilled criminal defense attorney can help you determine the best course of action and will work to resolve your case in the most favorable way possible.

Common Defenses to Drug Charges

Drug crimes are not always cut and dry. There are many elements at play, and the prosecutor needs sufficient evidence for you to be convicted. Your lawyer can help you investigate the facts and defend your case. They may use one of the following defenses:

• The drugs do not belong to you. If a police officer finds drugs in your home or vehicle, it cannot be automatically assumed that they belong to you. Perhaps a friend or family member left them in your car. If the police have found drugs in your home, it’s possible they could belong to someone else who lives in your household.
• Illegal search and seizure. A police officer cannot randomly search your home and charge you with a drug crime. There are proper procedures that must be followed. For starters, law enforcement needs a warrant to search your home unless it is an emergency situation, which generally does not apply to drug crimes.
• Improper analysis. Just because a substance in a baggie looks like cocaine or heroin does not mean it is. Any substances that are believed to be drugs must go through a thorough analysis in a crime lab. Anything found cannot be used as evidence unless it is certified to be an illegal drug.
• Entrapment. This is hard to prove, but it does happen. Police officers sometimes act aggressively and pressure a person to admit that they committed a crime. Some officers even go as far as planting drugs in a person’s home or vehicle in an attempt to get them in trouble with the law.

Michigan Drug Charges Can Have Serious Consequences 

There are many types of drug charges in Michigan, and most carry serious penalties. The punishment you will face if convicted will vary based on several factors, including the type and amount of drugs you are charged with possessing or distributing and your criminal history. You could be charged with a felony and face prison time as well as hefty fines. With a felony on your record, you could also experience challenges in your personal life when searching for housing and employment.

Seek Strong Defense for Your Drug Charge

If you are facing charges for drug possession, manufacturing, or trafficking, it is best to take action as soon as possible. You need an aggressive criminal defense attorney on your side. The drug crime lawyers at the Law Offices of Bradley J. Friedman can defend you against the charges you face. Schedule a consultation today by calling our office or sending us a message online.