The United States has become the prescription drug capital of the world. Over the past few years, opioids and other prescription drugs have resulted in severe problems for local officials. As a result, many state governments are cracking down hard on illegal prescription drug activity.
If you've been caught with prescription drugs, it's essential that you use an attorney that understands Michigan drug laws. You may be facing a lengthy prison sentence -- this can be even worse if you've already been convicted of a previous offense.
It's illegal to possess prescription drugs without a medical prescription in the state of Michigan. Even if you've purchased the drugs in another country, you're not able to possess them when you return to Michigan. Penalties for possession will depend on the amount you possess and the type of drug you're alleged to have been caught with.
Some of the heaviest sentences are handed to individuals who possess Fentanyl, Hydrocodone, Meperidine, and Oxycodone. The addictive nature of these drugs is what makes them a top priority for police officials to tackle.
Problems arise when cops have pressure to do something about the current prescription drug epidemic. There may come a time when you're caught up in an investigation and accused of a possession crime that you have nothing to do with. For this reason, it's always important to contact an attorney –don't put all your trust in the justice system!
Another common charge concerning prescription drugs is prescription fraud. This is the act of forging a prescription in an attempt to acquire illegal prescription drugs. Authorities are focusing their attention on preventing this type of drug access.
Prescription fraud is no small crime. If you are found to be engaging in prescription fraud, the penalties can be extremely severe.
If you face prescription drug charges, you may be wondering what types of punishment you can expect to encounter. As mentioned previously, the level of punishment will vary widely depending on the crime and the quantity of drugs that it involves.
For example, just using a prescription drug personally can land you in jail for up to a year. If you are caught with more than a personal amount, you may face up to two years. If you are caught with over 1kg of certain opioid prescription drugs, you may even face up to 30 years.
For those who forge a prescription, you may face up to four years in prison and a $30,000 fine. As you can see, Michigan does not take prescription drug offenses lightly. You need to use a robust legal team if you want to avoid life-changing jail sentences.
At O'Keefe Law, we don't mess around. From the minute you contact our team of legal experts, we'll be working hard to ensure you win your day in court. We believe that everyone deserves an excellent legal representation -- too many innocent people are in jail because of substandard lawyers.
We analyze every aspect of the prosecution's case and ensure that they've followed the correct procedures. We'll help advise on the best plan of attack to prevent a conviction. We provide a service that you won't find in any other criminal defense attorney in Lansing.
Choosing a local attorney with considerable experience can help you best prepare yourself for a Michigan criminal case. At O'Keefe Law, we pride ourselves on being a trustable partner for our clients. We're the most-trusted criminal defense law firm in East Lansing.
Get in touch today to discuss your prescription drug case.
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