There are many drug offenses. Some are serious, including drug trafficking and drug manufacturing, while others are relatively minor. Despite however minor a drug charge may seem, though, it can still wreak havoc on your life. Therefore, it is important that you familiarize yourself with the law so that you can properly defend against any drug charges you may face. This week, we will look at what, exactly, is drug paraphernalia.
According to Michigan law, drug paraphernalia is essentially any item specifically designed to have some purpose in the drug trade or drug use. The law provides a non-exhaustive list of examples, which include scales and instruments used to take in drugs (such as a marijuana pipe or syringe). Merely possessing these items can land you in legal hot water, with the possibility of facing serious penalties.
Whether you face charges of possession of drug paraphernalia or another more serious drug offense, your life could be changed forever. A criminal conviction could land you in jail, have you facing significant fines, and tarnish your reputation. Therefore, when facing drug charges, you should be prepared for a significant legal battle.
An experienced Kalamazoo attorney may be able to help you defend against such allegations. In a drug paraphernalia case, an attorney may try to help you show that the search that discovered the item(s) in question was illegal, meaning the evidence is inadmissible in court. A lawyer might also try to show that the item has another, legal, purpose. In the end, if facing criminal allegations, you should discover what defense options are open to you and how best to defend against them.
Source: Michigan State Legislature, “333.7451 ‘Drug paraphernalia’ defined.” Accessed on April 24, 2015
