Drug Sales/Dealing Attorney in Lansing

Being charged with the sale or dealing of drugs is no laughing matter in Lansing, and those that are facing drug charges without an attorney should be worried. Whether prosecutors and police officers are building a misdemeanor or felony case against a person, the complications and life-altering events of a drug charge can turn one's life upside down.

Our Lansing drug crimes attorneys at Grabel & Associates know how to handle drug charges in the state of Michigan. With our attorneys by your side, you will never face a trial alone, and someone will always be with you to guide you. Our attorneys will begin working to build you a strong defense, and they will work hard to protect you from any illegal searches, seizures, and other violations of your rights.

The first step in any strong defense is to understand the charges brought against the person. Let's further examine these charges and better understand them in order to learn how to fight them.

Drug Schedules

In Lansing, as in the rest of Michigan, it is illegal for anyone to possess, sell, deliver, transport, manufacture, or cultivate drugs. Of course, not all drugs are the same, and the sale and dealing of certain drugs will come with a harsher penalty than others.

The Drug Enforcement Administration classifies drugs, substances, and chemicals into five schedules, or categories, that groups drugs in terms of their rate of addiction as well as their usefulness for medical purposes. Schedule V drugs have the lowest potential for addiction and are most often used for medical treatments, such antidiarrheal, antitussive, and analgesic purposes.

Schedule I and II Drugs

Schedule I and II drugs are highly addictive and are known to cause psychological damage as well as physical and/or psychological dependence. Schedule I drugs do not have any accepted medical use, while Schedule II drugs are sometimes used to treat patients in limited doses. Heroin, LSD, marijuana, and ecstasy may fall into one or both of these categories. A person who is caught selling or dealing these drugs will usually receive a harsh sentence, even for a first offense.

It should also be noted that certain substances used to manufacture illegal drugs, such as some of the ingredients to make meth, are also illegal. For more information about the different classifications of drugs, you may consult the Michigan Code, which is divided into five parts for each scheduling. Michigan Code § 333.7212 outlines Schedule I drugs, substances, and chemicals. For the other five lists, check out 333.7214, -7216, -7218, and -7220.

Consult an associate at Grabel & Associates if you have questions about the different schedules of drugs. We can help you better understand the nature of any drug charges you may be facing.

Schedule I and II Narcotic Substances and Coca Derivatives

Highly-addictive drugs such as morphine and heroin fall into this category. Anyone who is charged with making or selling these Schedule I and II drugs may face one of a number of penalties, depending on the amount of a substance located at the time of arrest:

• 1,000 grams+: Those charged may face a fine of up to $1,000,000 or life in prison. In some cases, those convicted face both.
• Between 450 g and 1,000 g: A person may have to pay as much as $500,000, face up to 30 years in prison, or a combination of the two.
• Between 50 g and 450 g: A person faces a fine of as much as $250,000, up to 20 years in prison, or potentially both.
• 50 g and below: Anyone charged with this may have to pay $25,000 in fines and spend as many as 20 years in prison. In some cases, both charges may apply.

Other Schedule I and II Drugs

The remainder of the Schedule I and II drugs have penalties that are specific to the type of drug. If a person is caught making or selling methamphetamine, for example, he or she may have to pay as much as $25,000 in fines and/or spend as many as 20 years in prison. A large marijuana sale on the other hand, can result in up to a $10,000,000 fine and 15 years in prison.

Schedule III Drugs

Schedule III drugs may cause high psychological dependence, but only moderate to low physical dependence. All such drugs are used in the medical industry, but when sold or manufactured privately, it can bring up to $10,000 in fines and/or 7 years in prison.

Schedule IV Drugs

Schedule IV substances have a much milder punishment in comparison with some Schedule I drugs. If a person is caught with a Schedule IV substance, then he or she may have to pay up to $2,000 in fines and possibly spend up to four years in prison. Both punishments may be applied in some cases.

Schedule V Drugs

Schedule V substances share similar penalties with Schedule IV substances, but for Schedule V substances, a person accused may only face as many as two years in prison, rather than four.

Contact Grabel & Associates

Drug dealing and manufacturing charges not are taken lightly in Michigan. One conviction can lead to large fines, jail time and a complete disruption of one's life. If you are facing a drug sale or dealing charge, do not hesitate to contact the attorneys at Grabel & Associates. Our team of skilled lawyers understands the law and will stand by your side to help you clear your name and get back to your life.

To get in touch with Grabel & Associates, call our toll-free number at 1-800-342-7896 or contact us through our website. Do not risk your freedom. Call us immediately so we can begin building you a strong defense.