Drug Crimes Defense Attorney in Okemos, MI
Getting arrested for a drug offense anywhere in the Lansing area can feel like the ground just dropped out from under you, putting everything on the line. Spickard Law provides aggressive, personalized defense for people facing these charges across Ingham County. You want a defense lawyer who takes your future seriously. We relentlessly pursue case dismissals or reduced charges and sentencing when dismissals aren’t foreseeable.
Michigan Drug Charges
Michigan prosecutes a broad range of drug offenses, and even a charge that seems minor can carry felony-level consequences depending on the substance and the circumstances. Some of the most common drug crimes our firm handles:
- Possession of a controlled substance
- Possession with intent to deliver
- Drug manufacturing
- Drug trafficking
- Marijuana offenses exceeding legal limits
- Prescription fraud
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
- Maintaining a drug house
- Possession of analogues without a valid prescription
- Operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs
- Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
- Delivery or creation of a controlled substance causing death
Potential Consequences of a Conviction
A drug conviction in Michigan does not just mean time behind bars. The fallout reaches into nearly every corner of your daily life long after you have served any sentence:
- Prison or jail time
- Substantial fines and court costs
- Mandatory probation with strict conditions
- Loss of professional licensing
- Difficulty finding employment
- Loss of child custody or visitation rights
- Suspension of your driver’s license
- Permanent criminal record
- Ineligibility for certain federal benefits
- Immigration consequences for non-citizens
- Loss of firearm rights
- Damage to personal and professional reputation
Potential Defenses We Explore
No two drug cases follow the same script. Building a strong defense starts by questioning every step law enforcement took before, during, and after the arrest. Spickard Law examines the full picture to identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s case:
- Unlawful search and seizure: The Fourth Amendment and Michigan law require officers to follow strict procedures, and violations can result in the exclusion of evidence.
- Lack of possession or knowledge: The prosecution must prove you actually knew the drugs were there and had control over them.
- Crime lab errors: Testing procedures and chain of custody mistakes can undermine the reliability of the evidence against you.
- Entrapment: If law enforcement pressured or induced you into committing a crime you would not have otherwise committed, that is a viable defense.
- Miranda rights violations: Statements made without a proper Miranda warning may be inadmissible in court.
- Confidential informant issues: Informants sometimes have motives to exaggerate or fabricate, and their credibility can be challenged.
- First-time offender diversion: Under MCL 333.7411, eligible first-time offenders may have the opportunity to complete probation and have the charge dismissed from their public record.
Don’t Wait to Consult a Drug Crimes Lawyer in Lansing
Have you been charged with a drug crime and feel uncertain about what comes next? Time matters in building a defense, and waiting only gives the prosecution more room to work. Call Spickard Law at 517-908-0818 to schedule a consultation with a drug crimes lawyer in Lansing who will start developing a strategy to protect your freedom and your future.