Penalties for Drug Convictions
Felony, misdemeanor drug charges in Michigan can have serious consequences - don't wait to seek legal advice
If you are convicted of a drug offense in Michigan, you could easily find yourself fined thousands of dollars and/or be sentenced to jail for several months or years. When so much is at stake, you need a highly skilled defense attorney guiding you. Call (810) 238-0500 to discuss your options with a criminal defense attorney from Manley & Manley.
Attorneys Michael P. Manley and Frank J. Manley have dedicated their careers to helping people deal with all types of serious charges throughout Michigan. They work tirelessly on every single case because they realizes that a drug conviction can turn a person’s life upside-down.
Don't wait to contact us. A delay could affect the outcome of your case. We can help you if you have been charged with drug possession, marijuana charges or other drug charges in Michigan.
What are the consequences for a drug charge conviction in Michigan?
Drug crimes in Michigan are punished according to various state and federal laws. Convictions for drug crimes are also divided into two major categories:
The difference between a felony and misdemeanor charge can be dramatic (Visit our page difference between misdemeanor and felony to learn more).
Some of the consequences for various drug convictions in Michigan include:
- Possession - Up to one year in jail and up to $2,000 in fines
- Distribution - Up to 4 years in jail and up to $20,000 in fines (for up to 5 kilograms or 20 marijuana plants. Penalties increasingly severe for more than 5 kilograms)
- Possession - Penalties vary. Up to 4 years in jail and up to $25,000 in fines for possession of up to 25 grams of drugs classified as Schedule 1 or Schedule 2. Click on the following links to find a complete list of Schedule 1 and Schedule 2 drugs in Michigan.
- Distribution - Penalties vary. Up to 40 years in jail and up to $250,000 in fines for sale of controlled substance
- Possession - Up to 10 years in prison and up to $15,000 in fines (depending on the amount of methamphetamine in your possession at the time of the arrest). Possession of this drug is a felony offense.
- Distribution - Up to 20 years in jail and up to $25,000 in fines
Cocaine/ Crack Cocaine Charges
- Possession - The penalty depends on the amount of cocaine in your possession at the time of the arrest:
- 49 grams or less: Up to four years in prison and/or up to $25,000 in fines.
- 50 grams to 449 grams: Up to 20 years in prison and/or up to $250,000 in fines.
- 450 grams to 999 grams: Up to 30 years in prison and/or up to $500,000 in fines.
- 1,000 grams or more: Up to life in prison and/or up to $1 million in fines.
- Distribution - Penalties depend on the amount of cocaine you are charged with distributing:
- 49 grams or less: Up to 20 years in prison and/or up to $25,000 in fines.
- 50 grams to 449 grams: Up to 20 years in prison and/or up to $250,000 in fines.
- 450 grams to 999 grams: Up to 30 years in prison and/or up to $500,000 in fines.
- 1,000 grams or more: Up to life in prison and/or up to $1 million in fines.
- Possession - Up to 4 years in jail and up to $25,000 in fines (for less than 50 grams of heroin. Penalties more severe for possession of more than 50 grams of heroin)
- Distribution - Up to 20 years in jail and up to $25,000 in fines (same rules apply as possession of heroin charges listed above)
Why should I hire an attorney from Manley & Manley to handle my drug charge?
Attorney Michael P. Manley is one of few Board-Certified Criminal Trial Experts serving Central Michigan. The National Trial Lawyers Association named attorney Manley a Top 100 Trial Lawyer. Cases handled by him have also been featured on “The Today Show,” “20/20,” “Dateline” and other national news programs.
Attorney Frank J. Manley has been named among the Nation’s Top One Percent of attorneys by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel. He has also been listed among the Top 10 Criminal Defense Lawyers in Michigan, the Top 100 OWI Attorneys in the State of Michigan, and the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by the National Trial Lawyers Association.
Both attorneys are natives of Flint. We know the area. We will aggressively fight to provide you with a strong legal defense. This often includes carefully reviewing your arrest report to make sure the officer followed the correct procedures, consulting with experts and filing the necessary paperwork with prosecutors, courts and other legal entities.
In general, most felony convictions for drug crimes result in prison sentence of one year or more. You could also lose certain rights if you are convicted of felony, including the right to vote while you're in jail and the right to own a firearm for 3-5 years after your prison sentence. And even then, a licensing board must approve your right to own a gun in certain cases.
Felony convictions are divided into eight categories. Class A Felony is the most serious charge and has a maximum prison sentence of life in prison. Class H Felony has the shortest prison sentence (often one year) and may simply result in probation in some cases.
The sale of illegal drugs and drug trafficking is classified as a felony in Michigan. Possession of certain illegal drugs is also a felony. These drugs include:
- Heroin
- Cocaine
- Illegal prescription drugs
The possession of marijuana and other illegal drugs can also be classified as felony if you have a large enough quantity of the drug. Contact attorney Manley as soon as possible if you have been charged with a felony, if you believe you are under investigation or if you have any questions about your drug charge case.
<Return to Top>
Misdemeanor Drug Crimes
Misdemeanor charges in Michigan have a maximum jail term of one year or less. The fine for most misdemeanor charges is also often less than $1,000. If you are convicted of a misdemeanor drug crime, you could have trouble getting certain jobs and encounter other complications due to having a criminal record. A non-citizen convicted of a misdemeanor could be deported or denied citizenship or naturalization.
In most cases, misdemeanor charges involve smaller amounts of illegal drugs. But a conviction on a misdemeanor drug charge can have serious consequences. We can walk you through all your legal options. Contact (810) 238-0500 today.
