Drug Crime Lawyer – Serving Metropolitan Detroit

Criminal drug charges of any degree can have a lasting impact on a person’s future. From monetary fines to jail time to employment opportunities and more, the repercussions of a felony drug conviction are severe and carry the potential of following a person for the rest of their life. This is why it is essential to retain an experienced Detroit drug crime lawyer to protect your rights if you’ve been charged with a drug crime.

As a drug crime criminal defense law firm, we understand the stigma that people accused of criminal offenses face, and we fight to protect client rights in seeking for them the best outcome possible. Firm founding attorney David Lee has been providing tenacious criminal defense representation to clients for more than 35 years in response to state and federal criminal charges.

If you’ve been charged with a drug offense, we invite you to call us for a FREE CONSULTATION with drug crime lawyer David Lee about your case, and to learn how we can help. We accept drug crime cases on a flat-fee basis, meaning you’ll know at the outset how much your legal fees will be.

What Activities Are Subject to Criminal Drug Charges in Michigan?

There is a wide range of activities that can be subject to varying degrees of drug charges in Detroit. Here are the most common activities subject to drug charges:

• Possession: Illicit drugs do not have to be directly in a person’s physical possession to qualify as drug possession. Any substances in a person’s home, vehicle, or property within their control can be subject to a possession charge by the authorities.

• Usage: Being caught in the act of consuming an illegal substance by the authorities can result in monetary fines and jail time. Using illegal drugs in certain areas can factor into a drug charge as well, such as consuming marijuana while driving or on federal property, even though such use may be legal for recreational purposes in other places.

• Delivery and Manufacture: The penalties for the intent to sell, deliver, and manufacture drugs are typically the most severe. Depending on the type of drug and the overall amount, these cases generally carry the steepest sentences.

• Possession of Paraphernalia: In Michigan, possession of drug paraphernalia is a misdemeanor crime and is treated similarly to drug usage since the presence of paraphernalia suggests previous or intended consumption.

• Prescription Fraud: The act of committing prescription fraud is one of the most serious drug offenses and can carry a potential prison sentence.

Regardless of which of the above activities you or a loved one has been charged with, it is imperative that you contact an experienced criminal defense attorney if you’ve been arrested for a drug crime.

Does it Cost More Money to Retain a Criminal Defense Lawyer Right After Being Arrested?

No. There is a perception that it might be less expense to hire a criminal defense lawyer later in the process, but the is not the case. Because our firm charges a flat fee, it’s always a better to call as soon as possible after being arrested, as waiting until a later date will not result in any monetary savings.

What are the Drug Classifications and Schedules in Michigan?

In Michigan, drugs are classified into five separate categories, called schedules, based on certain elements such as the accepted medical use of the drug and its likelihood of abuse. Here are the five drug classification schedules:

• Schedule I: The most severe drug classification is reserved for substances with no acceptable medical use and carry a high potential for abuse. These include heroin, cocaine, ecstasy, LSD, and marijuana.

• Schedule II: Reserved for narcotics and stimulants that hold a high potential for abuse and can cause physical or psychological dependence. These include morphine, Dilaudid, Percocet, opium, OxyContin, codeine, and methamphetamine.

• Schedule III: These substances hold less potential for abuse but can still lead to low or moderate levels of dependence. These include Tylenol, Vicodin, ketamine, and anabolic steroids.

• Schedule IV: These drugs carry a low potential for abuse and include Valium, Klonopin, Halcion, and Xanax.

• Schedule V: The least severe classification includes certain substances that contain limited amounts of narcotics, such as cough syrups that contain codeine.
  It is important to understand that the more severe the drug classification, the more severe the charges for drug-related crimes.

How Are Drug Cases Often Defended in Michigan?

While being charged with a drug crime may seem overwhelming, there are a number of defenses that are often available.  Potential defenses can include seeking to exclude evidence from illegal search and seizures, entrapment, planted drugs, an error made by law enforcement or the crime lab, and other defenses depending on the specific circumstances of the case. If your rights were violated or errors were made by law enforcement, it may be possible to get your charged dismissed or reduced.

Consulting with an Experienced Detroit Drug Crime Lawyer

Whether you are a first-time offender or are facing a repeated offense, the severity of felony drug charges can be life-altering, making it critical to retain an experienced and fearless drug crime lawyer who will fight for your rights and innocence.

At the Law Offices of David I. Lee, P.C., we are committed to leveraging decades of criminal defense experience to represent those faced with criminal drug charges.

Call us or fill out a contact form to get started with a free case evaluation. We can answer your questions and explain how we can vigorously defend you.