Drug Crime Defense
Aggressive, Suppression-Driven Defense Against Drug Charges
Drug prosecutions in Michigan rise and fall on the search and seizure law. Police and narcotics units routinely push constitutional boundaries—conducting illegal traffic stops, expanding searches without consent, relying on unreliable informants, and executing rushed or overbroad warrants. When those shortcuts are exposed, cases collapse.
At Mumen Barlaskar Law Firm PLLC, drug defense is motion-heavy, evidence-driven, and unapologetically aggressive. We assume the prosecution’s case is vulnerable, and we work backward to prove it. Our firm defends drug charges throughout Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb Counties, where suppression practice and judicial tolerance vary dramatically.
Common Michigan Drug Charges We Defend
We represent clients accused of a full range of drug offenses, including:
- Simple possession
- Possession with intent to deliver (PWID)
- Prescription drug offenses
- Controlled substance manufacturing allegations
- Drug charges arising from traffic stops or raids
Many of these cases are overcharged to force plea deals and inflate sentencing exposure.
How Drug Cases Are Actually Built
Most drug cases originate from:
- Traffic stops used as fishing expeditions
- Pretextual searches based on vague suspicion
- Claims of “odor” used to justify warrantless searches
- Confidential informants seeking leniency
- Search warrants based on boilerplate affidavits
Prosecutors often assume seized drugs equal guilt. The Constitution demands more.
Search and Seizure: The Centerpiece of Drug Defense
Illegal searches are the most powerful defense weapon in drug cases. We aggressively challenge:
- Traffic stops lacking reasonable suspicion
- Prolonged detentions without cause
- Searches conducted without valid consent
- Vehicle searches exceeding lawful scope
- Warrant affidavits lacking probable cause
- No-knock or nighttime warrants
When evidence is suppressed, the case frequently dies.
Suppression Motions and Litigation Strategy
Our approach is simple: force the government to justify every step it takes.
We file and litigate motions to suppress involving:
- Unlawful stops
- Illegal searches
- Miranda violations
- Unlawful seizures of phones and digital evidence
Judges in Oakland County scrutinize warrants closely, while Wayne and Macomb County courts vary by district—making local experience critical.
Penalties and Exposure for Drug Convictions
Drug convictions carry severe consequences beyond incarceration, including:
- Jail or prison sentences
- Lengthy probation with testing
- Driver’s license sanctions
- Asset forfeiture
- Permanent criminal record
- Employment and housing barriers
- Devastating immigration consequences
Felony drug convictions can permanently alter a person’s future.
Informants, Controlled Buys, and Credibility Attacks
Many drug cases rely on confidential informants with incentives to lie. We aggressively expose:
- Informant bias and motivation
- Lack of corroboration
- Improper police supervision
- Gaps in the chain of custody
Informant-driven cases are fragile when challenged correctly.
Immigration Consequences of Drug Charges
For non-citizens, drug convictions are among the most dangerous offenses under immigration law. Consequences may include:
- Mandatory detention
- Deportation
- Inadmissibility
- Permanent bars to lawful status
Defense strategy must be built with immigration consequences in mind from the first court date.
What To Do If You Are Arrested for a Drug Offense
DO:
- Remain silent and request an attorney
- Preserve all paperwork and evidence
- Document the stop or search while fresh in memory
DO NOT:
- Consent to searches
- Admit ownership or possession
- Assume diversion is automatic
- Discuss the case on recorded jail calls
Drug Defense – Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Suppression of evidence often results in dismissal.
Possession must be proven. Mere presence is not enough.
Possibly. Eligibility depends on charge, history, and strategy.
Some outcomes allow expungement. Early defense decisions matter.