Recent Posts in Drug Crimes & Charges Category

In Lockport, police say that a man who caused trouble this Saturday at the Casa Montego bar appeared in City Court this Monday.  The man is facing felony drug crime charges and also obstruction of justice charges.

41 year old Martin R. Stephen of Michigan Street pled "not guilty" and a judge ordered that he be held without bail.  He expected to appear in court for a felony hearing this Wednesday.

According to police, Stephen has been charged with shouting obscenities at police officers when he was told to move along. Stephen also stands accused of grabbing an officer.

After he was taking into police custody, police found Stephen had five bags of cocaine and marijuana cigarette. He was charged with second-degree obstructing governmental administration, resisting arrest, unlawful possession of marijuana, disorderly conduct, third and fifth degree criminal possession of controlled substance with intent to sell.

Have you been charged with a serious drug offense in Michigan, if so you should contact our law firm and speak with a Michigan criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible.

This week, the owner of an Ingham County "pot club" is facing several criminal charges after his club was raided by police this week.

Officers from the Michigan State Police raided the club, known as "Green Leaf Smoker's Club", earlier this week.  Now, the club's owner Wayne Dagit is facing criminal charges, including three counts of delivery of marijuana, one count of maintaining a drug house and one count of possession of marijuana.  Three of the offenses are felonies in the state of Michigan.  The first offense alone carries a sentence of 15 years if Dagit is convicted.

Police say that Dagit has a criminal history as he was convicted for burglary in 1993 in the state of Illinois.  They also report that Dagit opened his club back in February and had 100 people join within the first few weeks of operation.

Have you been charged with drug crimes?  If so, it is important that you speak with a Michigan criminal defense lawyer from Freedman & Freedman.  We have immense experience helping those who have been charged with misdemeanor and felony drug offenses.  Contact our law office today!

In Flint, Michigan, a woman and her son called police and told them that the son had been kidnapped this past Monday.  Law enforcement said that the kidnapping may have occurred because the son and his brothers stole marijuana from nearby drug dealers.

When speaking with police, the son said that he had been walking when two strangers began to chase him.  Once the two males caught up with him, they forced him into the back of a small, black vehicle.  Police say the incident took place during the evening hours.

Once the victim was secured in the vehicle, the two males drove him to an area near Flushing and Dupont Street.  They then pulled him from the back of the care and proceeded to beat his face.  After hitting the victim several times, the two males ran away.

The mother told police that she believes the incident occurred because of the drug theft and that she fears for her sons' lives.

If you have committed a criminal offense in Michigan, such as a theft crime or kidnapping, you should speak with a Michigan criminal defense attorney at the Law Offices of Freedman & Freedman as soon as possible. Contact us today to discuss your case and defense strategy.

Three men were arrested on various charges in Woodhaven after someone called police to report there were people smoking pot in their truck.

Police arrived at the scene with a drug sniffing dog, who was able to detect the scent of marijuana and confirm its presence in the vehicle. The officer was able to smell the marijuana as well, and upon searching the vehicle found marijuana seeds and crumbled leaves throughout the suspect’s truck.

A passenger in the vehicle was also arrested, but for disorderly conduct and obstruction after he refused to comply with the officer’s orders. According to the article on The News-Herald, the officer asked the passenger to step out of the vehicle and leave the scene, but he refused. The passenger became angry and refused to get out of the truck. After a profane outburst and refusing to leave the vehicle at least three times, the officer had the passenger arrested.

A third passenger was also arrested after it was discovered there was an arrest warrant out for a reckless driving charge.

A raid on two Detroit houses resulted in a major drug bust for police investigators.

During last week’s raid, police discovered 22 pounds of cocaine valued at more than $4.1 million. From the homes they seized more than 10,000 grams of cocaine, 6,000 grams of marijuana, 300 grams of methamphetamine, three vehicles, and several weapons, including two handguns.

Police believe they hit on high-level drug dealers. It is not clear whether or not the dealers are the owners of the home, or if they were home at the time of the raid. It also has not been reported whether anyone has been arrested in connection with raid. If the dealers were home at the time police searched the house, it’s almost certain they would have been taken into custody on multiple drug charges.

If you have been charged with a drug offense, you could be eligible for something called alternative sentencing.  Alternative sentencing is commonly applied in drug cases in which the defendant has been charged with a non-violent crime, such as drug possession, and is facing his or her first or second offense. Instead of going to jail, the offender participates in an alternative sentencing program, which might include participation in an alcohol treatment program, attendance at Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, counseling, and/or random drug testing. 

If you have recently been arrested on drug charges and are curious as to whether or not you’re eligible for alternative sentencing, take a moment to consult a knowledgeable Michigan drug crime attorney at the Law Offices of Freedman & Freedman. It’s not every day that you’ll be given the opportunity to avoid going to jail, especially when that is what the criminal statutes call for. Alternative sentencing gives you the chance to address the reasons and behavior that led to your criminal arrest in the first place, and in return you’re essentially given a second chance. 

At the Law Offices of Freedman & Freedman, we’re committed to securing the best possible end result, whether that means going to trial and defending you in court, or accepting a plea deal in which you agree to plead guilty in exchange for being able complete an alternative sentence to avoid jail.

For more information about the drug defense services offered at Freedman & Freedman, contact a skilled Michigan drug crime lawyer today by calling 1 (888) 252-8582.

Drug crimes do not just refer to crimes involving illegal drugs, narcotics, and controlled substances.  An individual can face criminal charges for committing an unlawful act involving a prescription or over-the-counter drug as well.  

At the Law Offices of Freedman & Freedman, we have experience defending clients against a variety of prescription drug crimes, including:

• Prescription fraud 
  • Using another person’s identity to obtain a prescription
  • Trying to obtain the same prescription from multiple pharmacies
  • Forging a prescription in order to obtain a prescription drug
• Selling or distributing prescription drugs
• Trafficking prescription drugs
• Transporting prescription drugs for unlawful purposes
• Manufacturing an over-the-counter drug into an illegal drug
• Unlawful possession of an illegal drug

Last week, Wayne County sheriff’s deputies intercepted 150 pounds of marijuana, leading to the arrest of two men.

Aaron Houston Cook, 20, along with another man in his 20s, was arrested and charged with possession with intent to deliver 45 kilos of marijuana.  

Police received a tip that the two men were trying to ship the drugs in as cargo on a car hauler, and were also told when and where the drop-off was expected to take place.  

In response, Wayne County narcotics officers set up surveillance in a parking lot near North Line Road and I-75.  When the car hauler arrived at the scene, the two men got out of a waiting car and signed paperwork from the driver to take a limousine that he was carrying.

As soon as Cook got behind the wheel, police moved in and recovered 11 tightly packed bundles of marijuana, each about 18 inches long and 8 inches thick.  Investigators believe the street value of the drugs is more than half a million dollars.

Both the vehicle and the marijuana have been confiscated.

Police do not believe the driver of the car hauler was involved.

Under the 4^th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, the police cannot conduct a search of you or your property without having a valid search warrant or justifiable cause.  If the police violate your constitutional rights against unlawful searches and seizures, any evidence that was seized during the search will be deemed inadmissible in court, and the prosecution will not be able to use it against you as part of their case.

Charged with a Drug Crime in Oakland or Wayne County?

If you have been arrested for a drug crime, and you think your constitutional rights were violated, it is crucial that you speak with an experienced Michigan drug crime defense attorney at the Law Offices of Freedman & Freedman right away.  If we can prove the police conducted an unlawful search and/or seizure, we can file a motion to suppress the evidence and work aggressively to get your charges reduced to a lesser offense or have the case thrown out completely.  The 4^th Amendment has saved countless clients from additional prosecution for a drug offense, and may be an effective defense strategy against your charges as well.

To learn more, please do not hesitate to contact an experienced and dedicated Michigan drug defense lawyer at our office today by filling out a free case evaluation or by calling 1 (888) 252-8582. We look forward to defending you and helping you fight your charges!

A study conducted by the University of Michigan for the federal National Institute on Drug Abuse found that seven of the 10 drugs abused most by high school seniors are prescription or over-the-counter drugs.  Many of these drugs were acquired by the teens’ friends or relatives, but some were purchased at local drug stores or pharmacies.

Clare Kavin, executive director of the Waismann Method, a drug treatment program, is not surprised by the study’s findings.

“Teens are under the impression that pills are the best way to treat any mental, physical, or social issues,” said Kavin. “They have been taught to take a pill to lose weight, to treat acne, to fall asleep, and to focus better in school.”

Last November, Michigan legalized the use of marihuana for medicinal purposes, thus enacting the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act (MMA).  The purpose of this blog is to clear up any confusion or misunderstanding readers may have about the year-old legislation:

• Under MMA, the cultivation and possession of marihuana can be used for the purpose of treating a debilitating medical condition.  A “debilitating medical condition” is defined as cancer, glaucoma, HIV, hepatitis C, and any other disease, condition, or chronic illness that is associated with nausea and pain.

• A “caregiver” is defined as the person who has agreed to assist with the patient’s use of medicinal marihuana.  This person must at least 21 years old and must not have ever been convicted of a felony involving illegal drugs.

• To qualify for medical marihuana, a patient must be diagnosed with having a debilitating medical condition by a licensed physician.

• All patients and caregivers must possess a “registry identification card” issued by the Department of Community Health.

• Patients can legally possess 2.5 ounces of smokeable pot or less and caregivers can legally maintain up to 12 plants per patient without being arrested or prosecuted. Stems, seeks and unusable roots do not count towards the plant limitation.

• Physicians are also immune from arrest and criminal prosecution as long as they can prove a legitimate physician-patient relationship exists, and that they have certified the patient’s need for the drug.  They must also conduct an assessment of the patient’s medical history.

• Pursuant to the 2003 Supreme Court ruling in Conant vs. Walters, a physician cannot prescribe medical marihuana, but he or she can recommend it on a prescription form, keep the recommendations in a patient’s medical record, and testify on a patient’s behalf in a court of law.

• Caregivers can receive compensation for their marihuana.

• Under MMA, the sale of marihuana paraphernalia is not illegal, and paraphernalia cannot be seized.

• If marihuana is distributed to anyone other than a qualifying patient, the provider’s registration card will be revoked and he or she will be subjected to a 2-year felony.

• It is still a crime to drive under the influence of marihuana.

• It is a still a crime to smoke pot in public, even if it is medical marihuana.

• It is still a crime to possess pot on a school campus or on a school bus.

•  It is still a crime to smoke pot in jail or a penitentiary, regardless of any medical condition or ailments.

If you have been criminally charged with the use, possession, or cultivation of medical marihuana, or if you would simply like more information on this topic, please do not hesitate to contact an Oakland County or Wayne County Medical Marihuana Lawyer at the Law Offices of Freedman & Freedman today!

Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Peterson has accused county prosecutor Jessica Cooper of trying to bring down the county’s drug court program after she got into a dispute with judges about the expense of prosecuting drug court cases.

Cooper argues the drug courts are not worth keeping, and that they are a waste of taxpayers’ money.

“They fail 70 percent of the time at a cost of $6 million and they’re racially skewed. I’m trying to use the county’s very scarce funds to prosecute criminals,” said Cooper.

Patterson, who was needless to say displeased with Cooper’s actions, called her out publicly.

“The prosecutor has chosen to pull her lawyers out to of the drug courts, which effectively shuts them down,” said Patterson.

But Cooper defended herself by stating that it is her job to let the public know when their money is not being put to good use.

“We have a program that doesn’t work. It hasn’t work in 10 years. We’ve graduated 10 people a year at a cost of $6 million a year to the taxpayer,” Cooper argued. “We could use this money in so many other ways. I would be so much more effective for the people who need it.”

But Patterson claims the drug courts are effective, and have helped many people turn their lives around.

“I’ve seen letters where guys who were headed for a life of crime and skid row and now they’re gainfully employed, they’re married, they’re starting to have a family and become productive citizens because of the drug courts,” Patterson said.

Patterson spoke out against Cooper when Cooper sent a letter to judges notifying them that she was withdrawing her participation in the drug court program due to economic reasons. 

Cooper did ask judges to order defendants to pay prosecution costs in an effort to recoup some of the taxpayers’ money, but was largely rejected.

Meanwhile Patterson remains firm in his belief that drug courts not only save lives, but also keep people out of jail.

Are you facing drug charges? Are you interested in learning more about this topic? Please do not hesitate to contact an experienced Oakland County drug crime defense lawyer at Freedman & Freedman today!