Michigan Criminal Lawyers Blog
Recently, a 28-year-old Georgia man was arrested in Delaware after police in Bear were conducting property checks and came across the man as a result of hearing loud music.
According to a news report at Delawareonline.com, Cordeiro McClain of Ellenwood, GA was in the area of the Sparrow Run neighborhood off U.S. 40. Police officers were conducting increased patrols in specific neighborhoods following their weekly Targeted Analytical Policing Systems meeting. Officer First Class Tracey Duffy said that as they approached the vehicle, which was parked at a dead end, officers saw that the driver’s seat was empty and McClain was sitting in the front passenger seat. Another person came out of a nearby residence as police were talking to McClain, claiming the radio in the car was broken.
McClain was asked to exit the vehicle when officers noticed the smell of marijuana; as he did so, officers saw the butt of a handgun in McClain’s pants pocket. He was taken into custody and charged with marijuana possession with an aggravated factor after officers found marijuana in an undisclosed amount. He was also charged with carrying a concealed weapon and deadly weapon by a prohibited person, although it was not revealed why McClain was prohibited from possessing a gun.
McClain was placed in the Young Correctional Institute in Wilmington after he could not come up with a $6,100 secured bail.
In Delaware, possession of marijuana with an aggravating factor is considered a Class B misdemeanor. For those found guilty of the charge, penalties may include up to six months in jail, restitution, fines of up to $1,150, and more as determined by the court.
Michigan drug crime attorneys know that marijuana possession is still considered a criminal offense in most states in the U.S. Penalties for a conviction vary from state to state, however a conviction will negatively impact a person’s life regardless of where he or she lives. In Michigan, marijuana possession is a misdemeanor offense that will result in fines of up to $2,000 and a maximum of one year in jail for those convicted. The possession of plants is a more serious matter which may leave an offender facing felony cultivation charges.
Regardless of whether you have been arrested for possession of marijuana or other drugs or are under investigation, it is vital to protect your legal rights and freedom. Contact a skilled and aggressive Michigan drug crimes lawyer who will work with you to determine your legal options and the best strategy to protect your future.