Attorney Advertising.
A drug charge can turn your life upside down fast. What starts as a traffic stop can end with a felony on your record, and that record can follow you into every job application and apartment search for years. I do not take that lightly, and neither should you.
By Nicholas Somberg, founding attorney at Somberg Law, PLLC in Bingham Farms, Michigan. Licensed by the State Bar of Michigan.
Not all drug charges are the same
Michigan treats different substances very differently. Adults 21 and over can legally possess limited amounts of marijuana, but controlled substances the state schedules, like cocaine, MDMA, or certain pills, are a different story, and depending on the substance and the amount, possession can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony.
The search almost always matters
Most drug cases start with a stop and a search. If the police did not have a lawful basis for that stop or search, the evidence may be subject to suppression, and evidence a judge throws out cannot be used against you. That is one of the first things I dig into.
There is often more than one path
Depending on the facts and your record, there may be options beyond a straight conviction, from challenging the evidence to alternatives that can keep a first-time mistake from defining your future. And if you already have an old drug conviction, Michigan’s Clean Slate law may let you clear it later, which I cover in my Expungement FAQ.
Do not face it alone
The prosecutor has a lawyer. You should have one too.
Do not face it alone. Call me at (248) 270-5979 or start a free case review, and let’s talk about your situation.
Attorney Advertising. This post is general information about Michigan law and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship, and no result is ever guaranteed. Every case is different, so talk to a licensed attorney about your situation.
