Drug Trafficking Lawyer in Lansing

Drug trafficking in Lansing is not the same as possession and it is not prosecuted in the same manner. A person accused of drug trafficking is being accused of delivering and distributing illegal substances – anything from cocaine to heroin to meth, even marijuana.

What many people do not know is that drug trafficking is a felony in Lansing. Felony charges are much more serious than misdemeanors, and they often come with harsher penalties. Even the smaller amounts of minor substances, such as marijuana, can lead to a four-year stay in prison.

The drug crimes attorneys in Lansing at Grabel & Associates know drug trafficking laws well and they have helped countless individuals get the best outcomes in their cases. They are skilled, aggressive and confident in their ability to defend you no matter what charges are being brought against you.

Drug trafficking laws in Michigan are complicated and often difficult to interpret, especially when the Drug Enforcement Administration or the FBI gets involved. Read on to learn the basics of Michigan's drug trafficking laws and discover how Grabel & Associates can help you defend against these harsh charges.

When Does Possession Become Trafficking?

Let's say an individual is apprehended at a bus station carrying a bag of cocaine. Would you charge this individual with drug possession or trafficking?

It depends on how much cocaine the person had in the baggie at the time of arrest. Law officials in Michigan assume that anyone caught with a large amount of any drug is not using it purely for personal use. They assume the person was probably going to sell, distribute, or deliver the drug. It should be noted that money does not have to change hands in order for a person to be charged with trafficking.

Police officers and prosecutors will also take other factors into account while determining charges. A person's location at the time of arrest or questioning will be taken into account as well as any firearms or other weapons the person had on hand.

If you are questioned by the police, remember that you do have a right to an attorney. Call Grabel & Associates and let us handle the situation.

How Charges are Determined

Once it is determined that drug trafficking, not possession, charges will be filed, the amount and type of a drug will influence the type of punishment and its severity.

The Michigan Penal Code Section 333.7401 covers the drug trafficking charge. The formal title of the charge is drug delivery, manufacture, possession with intent to deliver, and the types of punishments are as follows:

• 50 grams or less of cocaine: Up to 20 years in prison and/or a fine of as much as $25,000.
• Ecstasy or methamphetamine in any amount: Up to 20 years in prison and/or a fine of as much as $25,000.
• Mescaline, LSD, or peyote in any amount: Up to 7 years in prison and/or a fine of as much as $10,000.
• 45 kilograms/200 plants or more of marijuana: Up to 15 years in prison and/or as much as $10,000,000 in fines.
• 5-44 kilograms/20-199 plants of marijuana: Up to 7 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $500,000.
• Less than 5 kilograms/less than 20 plants or marijuana: Up to 4 years in prison and/or a fine of as much as $20,000.

There are a few other factors that could contribute to a lighter or heavier sentence, including:

• Whether or not the person was carrying a firearm or other weapon
• Whether this was his or her first offense
• Whether he or she was trafficking drugs to a minor
• The location of the trafficking. Those caught trafficking drugs around a school will usually face harsher penalties.

A person who is facing a second drug trafficking charge should have cause to worry. Michigan courts are often very strict with repeat offenders, and a person convicted may spend the rest of his or her life in prison, without the opportunity for parole, probation or suspended sentencing (Michigan Penal Code 333.7413). Don't sit and wait for charges to be filed. Go on the offense and contact an associate at Grabel & Associates.

Contact Grabel & Associates

Anyone facing drug trafficking charges should be taking the charges very seriously. If convicted, a person can end up in plenty of trouble and possibly have to spend multiple years behind bars. Additionally, drug trafficking convictions can also lead to high fines and a severe damage to a reputation.

If you are facing these charges, do not wait to call an attorney. Some people believe calling a lawyer is an admission of guilt, but in many ways, doing so can halt any charges from ever being filed against you. The attorneys for Grabel & Associates will be your voice and defend your rights, investigating all aspects of your case to determine the best possible outcome.

To speak to an associate at Grabel & Associates, call the toll-free number, 1-800-342-7896, or contact us through our website. We are here to fight for you. Give us a call before charges are ever filed.