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Strong advocacy for defendants charged with drug offenses
There are many different reasons why drugs are manufactured and sold in Detroit – some legal but many reasons are illegal. Generally, drug cultivation, manufacturing, sale, and possession may be legal if they are prescribed by a physician. Otherwise, most drug transactions in Michigan are illegal. Even a minor drug offense can lead to incarceration, substantial fines, difficulty finding work, and difficulty finding a place to live.
At the Law Office of Steven K. Mamat, our Detroit drug defense lawyers represent drug defendants from the moment of an arrest through bail hearings, preliminary hearings, motions to suppress evidence, court hearings, and other phases of the criminal process. We fight to show that the police did not have probable cause to stop you or search you. We aim to have the charges against you dismissed or to obtain an acquittal by a judge or jury. We also work to negotiate please agreements to lesser charges.
How are drugs classified in Detroit?
The federal Controlled Substances Act divides controlled substances into five categories (Schedules I to V) – based on their likelihood to cause addiction, their potential for abuse, and any medicinal benefits. Schedule I drugs are the most serious. Michigan’s criminal statutes generally follow the federal Controlled Substances Act.
- Schedule I drugs have a high potential for abuse, no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, and there is a “lack of accepted safety for use of the drug or other substance under medical supervision.” This category includes LSD, heroin, and other hallucinogenic drugs.
- Schedule I drugs have a high potential for abuse, no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, and there is a “lack of accepted safety for use of the drug or other substance under medical supervision.” This category includes LSD, heroin, and other hallucinogenic drugs.
- Not more than 200 milligrams of codeine, not more than 100 milligrams of dihydrocodeine, and not more than 100 milligrams of ethylmorphine – per 100 milliliters or per 100 grams.
Schedule II drugs are the second most serious, Schedule III drugs are the third most serious, and
Schedule IV drugs are the fourth most serious. Examples of these scheduled drugs include:
- Schedule II. Cocaine, methamphetamine, PCP, fentanyl. and piminodine.
- Schedule III. Morphine and anabolic steroids such as barbital and ethinamate
- Schedule IV. Valium, Xanax, and other sedatives and tranquilizers.
What are the different types of drugs that lead to criminal charges?
Our Detroit drug defense lawyers represent defendants who are charged with drug offenses that involve:
- Analog drugs. These are “designer drugs” meant to simulate the experience of heroin, cocaine, and other dangerous drugs.
- Anabolic steroids. These are synthetic drugs that are generally now banned in all competitive sports.
- Date rape drugs. These drugs are often used to obtain non-consensual sex due to the incapacitation of the person who consumes the drug. In addition to illegal drug charges, the defendants will likely be charged with sex crimes too.
Other extremely dangerous drugs include cocaine, ecstasy, ephedra, heroin, methamphetamines, oxycontin (often prescribed for pain management but often used without a prescription), and Vicodin,
While drugs can generally be used with a prescription; it is illegal to obtain drugs through the use of forged prescriptions, fraudulent activities or illegal trade – and it is also illegal to sell prescription drugs prescribed for a specific patient.
Michigan does now make medical marijuana and recreational marijuana legal – provided the state regulations on growing, producing, selling, and possessing the marijuana are met. The limits include the amount of marijuana you can possess. Growing, making, selling or possessing marijuana, cannabis oils, and other related products above these limits and outside the regulations can lead to criminal charges.
What types of drug offenses do your Detroit lawyers handle?
Our Detroit drug defense lawyers represent defendants who are charged with :
- The possession of an illegal drug
- The cultivation (growing) of an illegal drug
- The manufacture of an illegal drug
- Drug trafficking
- Possession of drug paraphernalia – including any devices to make, store, or use the illegal controlled substance
- Manufacture of or illegally acquiring prescription drugs
- Driving while impaired
- Many other drug offenses
There are severe penalties for each type of drug and each type of offense that can result in lengthy imprisonments and substantial fines. Charges may be brought in federal court and in state court. In addition, if you are convicted of a crime, especially a felony, employers, apartment complexes, and credit companies may deny you a job, a place to live, or credit.
What defenses do you assert to drug charges?
Our experienced Detroit drug defense lawyers assert every defense possible. A key part of every drug defense case is seeking to suppress any evidence that was illegally obtained because the police:
- Failed to have reasonable grounds to stop or search you
- Failed to obtain a warrant based on probable cause
- Violated your right not to incriminate yourself
Other defenses we may assert depending on your case include the following wrongs or errors by the police of the prosecution:
- Failing to show that you were in possession or control of any drugs
- Failing to preserve the chain of custody of the evidence
- Failing to show that the weight or amount of the drugs is as claimed
- Failing to prove the criminal charges beyond a reasonable doubt
- Showing that the police entrapped you into committing an offense and/or that the police planted the drugs.
Are there alternatives to drug sentencing in Detroit?
In some cases, we may be able to request alternative sentencing that focuses on drug treatment and rehabilitation instead of incarceration. This type of program requires extensive participation in a drug treatment program including drug testing and monitoring of your progress by the court. A deferred sentencing program that focuses on good behavior for people who are unlikely to commit a criminal offense again may be possible. Additional programs may be available for juveniles.
We also work to negotiate plea bargains to less serious offenses which should result in less prison time.
Do you have a drug defense lawyer near me?
Our office is located at 2111 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48201. We also represent clients in Macomb, Oakland, Kent, and Genesee Counties.
Get help now. Contact an experienced Detroit drug defense lawyer today.
At the Law Office of Steven A. Mamat, we understand how frightening drug offenses occur. Many defendants are charged with felonies which have many restrictions after your release. Our lawyers fight aggressively every step of the way to help you keep your freedom and your reputation. We are respected by prosecutors and the police for our strong defense of criminal defendants. Call us today or use our contact form to schedule a consultation.