Regardless of laws legalizing marijuana going into effect in some other states, the war on drugs wages on in Michigan. Law enforcement agents and prosecutors still aggressively pursue drug cases, and the penalties handed down to those convicted of drug crimes can be quite severe. Prison is often a reality. So, too, are large fines. But the damage caused to one’s reputation can be just as damaging, if not more so. Having a drug conviction on one’s record can affect an individual’s ability to find employment and housing, and it could even limit their access to college financial aid, thereby dampening their future prospects.

A few weeks ago on this blog we talked about drug diversion programs, and how they can be an effective way to avoid a conviction and the negative consequences that come with it. However, prosecutors may be hesitant to offer a drug diversion program at first, which means a defendant may have to argue for it. In other cases, diversion programs are not offered, and sometimes offenders are accused of unsuccessfully completing such a program.

Regardless of the specific situation, an individual who is facing drug charges may have strong criminal defense options available to them. Whether it is challenging the legality of a traffic stop or the handling of key evidence, a defendant may be able to have evidence suppressed, thereby ripping apart a prosecutor’s case. This takes legal skill, though, as failing to raise arguments persuasively could result in unwanted results.

At David G. Moore Attorney at Law, we keep our eyes on the ultimate outcome desired by our clients. We advise our clients on the likelihood of success given their particular set of circumstances. Our years of trial experience enable us to identify evidentiary weaknesses and successfully exploit them. That is why Kalamazoo residents have been turning to us for years to help them with their criminal legal matters.