Drug Trafficking

Drug trafficking, which includes buying, selling, and distributing controlled substances, is a felony in Michigan and the consequences are life altering. If you are convicted of a drug trafficking crime, depending on the circumstances, you may face life in prison and a fine of up to $1 million. Given the potential consequences, it is critical you retain experienced counsel like ZAYID LAW to preserve your rights and obtain the best possible outcome for your case.

At ZAYID LAW, we recognize that the potential prison time and fines are not the only consequences of a drug trafficking conviction – your life can be affected in many other ways, whether it be your family, housing, job, or even citizenship status. If you are convicted of a drug trafficking crime, you may also suffer from the following:

  • From six months in jail to life in prison
  • Fines from $2,000 to $1 million
  • Suspension of your driver’s license
  • Permanent criminal record, which can affect your job and housing
  • Revocation of professional license (lawyers, teachers, medical professionals, etc.).

If you have been charged with trafficking of a controlled substance, it is critical to set up a legal defense as early as possible to preserve your rights and fight the charge. ZAYID LAW has experience defending individuals from the investigation stage through the conclusion of the case. The earlier we get involved, the better position we will be to defend your rights and ensure the best possible outcome.

Drug "Trafficking" Charges

Drug “trafficking” under Michigan law is particularly broad and includes the buying, selling and distribution of controlled substances. There are four types of actions you can be charged with under drug trafficking laws:

  1. Manufacture
  2. Create
  3. Deliver
  4. Possess with the intent to manufacture, create, or deliver

Penalties for Drug Trafficking

Drug trafficking is a felony under Michigan law, and the severity of the punishment relies upon the substance and amount in question. If you’re convicted, the possible sentence can range from a couple of years up to life in prison. The statutory penalties for first time offenses are outlined under Section 333.7401:

  • Schedule 1 or 2 Narcotic or Cocaine
    • 1-50 grams:
      • Up to 20 years in prison
      • Fines up to $25,000
    • 50-450 grams
      • Up to 20 years in prison
      • Fines up to $250,000
    • 450-1,000 grams:
      • Up to 30 years in prison
      • Fines up to $500,000
    • 1,000 grams or more:
      • Up to life in prison
      • Fines up to $1 million
    • Schedule 1, 2, or 3 Substances (other than narcotics, cocaine or marijuana)
      • Up to 7 years in prison
      • Fines of up to $10,000.
    • Ecstasy, MDMA or Methamphetamine
      • Up to 20 years in prison
      • Fines of up to $25,000.
    • Schedule 4 Substances
      • Up to 4 years in prison
      • Fines of up to $2,000.
    • Schedule 5 Substances
      • Up to 2 years in prison
      • Fines of up to $2,000.

Effects on Your Driver's License

Michigan law requires the suspension of your license when you are convicted of a drug crime. This can cause a severe disruption to your life and may affect your personal and business pursuits. It is important to get experienced legal representation who will analyze the unique circumstances of your case to determine the potential implications to your license based on a drug possession charge.

Driver’s license suspensions for Michigan drug convictions include:

  • First conviction: License will be suspended for 6 months. May be eligible for restricted license after 30 days.
  • Second (Subsequent Conviction in 7 Years): License will be suspended for 1 year. May be eligible for a restricted license after 60 days.

See more at https://www.michigan.gov/sos/0,4670,7-127-1627_8665_9078-30054--,00.html

Zayid Law's Strategies to Defend Your Drug Trafficking Charge

ZAYID LAW has developed unique and effective strategies to defend cases involving drug trafficking charges that ensure your rights are preserved and you obtain the best possible outcome. The way in which the statute is drafted relies upon two factors: knowledge and intent. ZAYID LAW attacks the prosecutor’s ability to prove (beyond a reasonable doubt) these essential factors in a drug trafficking case. The prosecutor will be forced to prove you actually knew about the alleged drug trafficking activity, or that you had intent to traffic in a controlled substance.

Drug possession charges are usually brought following a discovery of evidence obtained by authorities through a search. ZAYID LAW understands your constitutional rights and knows what to look for in determining whether any rights have been violated in a search. Potential legal defenses we have at our disposal include:

  • No Controlled Substance: The substance was incorrectly identified as a “controlled substance”
  • No Knowledge: you did not know that the substance was illegal
  • Improper Search: Attacking the way in which the evidence was obtained
    • Illegal Search
    • Invalid Warrant
  • Improper Arrest: No Probable Cause
  • Illegal Confession: You were not properly read your rights after the arrest

This is not an exhaustive list of defenses, and the sooner you contact ZAYID LAW, the sooner you can consider all of the defenses applicable to the unique circumstances of your case.