Aggressive Criminal Defense Against Marijuana Possession Charges Throughout Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, St. Joseph, and Berrien County
Did someone tell you that a marijuana possession charge and conviction isn't a big deal? Don't believe them. Police may advise you to plead guilty on a first offense, pay a fine and forget about it. They don't tell you that:
- Even a misdemeanor marijuana possession conviction can prevent you from getting a job, a scholarship or working as a licensed professional.
- If you get a second conviction of any kind, you will never be able to clear your record through expungement.
At The Aggressive Criminal Defense Law Firm, our Michigan attorneys treat every drug charge seriously, including marijuana possession. If you have been arrested for marijuana possession or any other drug crime, please contact our Greater Kalamazoo and Greater Grand Rapids Lawyers to arrange a free initial consultation.
Common Police Drug Enforcement Tactics
There are several police force drug units that work undercover in western Michigan to arrest people for marijuana possession, cocaine, heroin, meth and other drug charges, including the following:
- The Kalamazoo Valley Enforcement Team (KVET) investigations
- Southwest Michigan Enforcement Teams SWET team raids and investigations
- Grand Rapids Metropolitan Drug Team raids and investigations
- SWAT team raids and investigations, DEA Drug Enforcement Administration raids and investigations
- Department of Homeland Security DHS raids and investigations
- Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI raids and investigations
- Kent Area Narcotics Enforcement Team KANET raids and investigations
- Central Michigan Enforcement Team CMET raids and investigations
- MSP-MET Michigan State Police, Metropolitan Enforcement Drug Team raids and investigations
- Western Michigan Enforcement Team WEMET raids and investigations
Drug Team Tactics
Police at parties: Undercover officers will go to college parties and ask if you have any spare marijuana they could buy. If you given them a joint and accept any money in return, they will issue a warrant for your arrest, charging you with possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, a felony.
The knock-and-talk is another common police tactic. An officer will come to your door saying they have heard the person in the next dorm room or apartment is selling meth and they want to look around. They say, "We won't take you to jail today if you let us come in and search." If you let them in and they find marijuana, they will usually keep their word and not take you to jail that day, but you will later receive a warrant for your arrest letter after they have tested the substance they found. Unfortunately, sometimes that warrant letter does not come sometimes until three to nine months following the search, so some people think the police have forgotten about it and are unpleasantly surprised later when they realize they have a warrant for their arrest from the incident. You can request that the police obtain a search warrant, and assert your right to silence if police come to your door on a knock and talk.
No matter the circumstances of your arrest, you can rely on our Michigan drug lawyers for knowledgeable, aggressive and cost-effective criminal legal defense. We will explain the charges against you and how we can help. In many cases, we will seek out appropriate diversionary programs that will allow you to keep the conviction off your record. If there is evidence of an illegal search and seizure or entrapment, however, we will work to get the charges against you dropped and the case dismissed.
To arrange a free initial consultation about your case, please contact us by e-mail, call 269-743-1978 or call toll free at 888-211-4326 . From offices in Kalamazoo, Paw Paw and Grand Rapids, we represent clients throughout western Michigan. We offer discounts to students, seniors and members of the military.
Case Results From Our Michigan Criminal Defense Lawyers
Paul W.: Felony Possession of Marijuana and Intent to Sell and four other felonies under investigation:
We got the five felony charges dismissed and reduced to one count of Misdemeanor Possession, and the Prosecutor agreed to have client participate in a Diversion Program; at the end of 6 months the charge was dismissed. We helped the client get his Medical Marijuana card and negotiated the return of property and cars that were confiscated by the police.
Karen R. (a Grand Valley College Student): MIP & Marijuana Possession:
We were able to show doubt that the alcohol belonged to the client (a college student) and as a consequence the Prosecutor dropped the MIP charge. The Prosecutor and Judge agreed to allow the client to participate in the 7411 Division program (one of the first ever allowed in the Ottawa County Courts). After 12 months probation, the final charge was dismissed, and as a result the client has no criminal record.
Learn More on Our Client Testimonials Page.
