Man Gets 27 Years in Prison for Meth Possession

Last month, a man was sentenced on charges relating to the State’s largest methamphetamine bust in recent years. According to a report by MLive.com, the man was sentenced to 27 years’ imprisonment on October 29th. He was convicted for possessing over 23 pounds of methamphetamine.

Prosecutors argued that the man was the “organizer” of a large methamphetamine distribution ring that was based in Arizona. According to the prosecutors, “He had the connection in Arizona, arranged the trips, and provided instructions for the drivers on where to go.” To support their assertions, prosecutors presented several witnesses who were also involved in the distribution ring. None of these men went to trial, and they all accepted plea agreements that resulted in between nine and twelve years’ imprisonment.

In the man’s defense, his attorney pointed out that all the testimony indicating his client was involved came from the mouths of men who were also facing potential life sentences. He claimed that such testimony should not be believed and that his client was being thrown under the bus by other men who had larger roles in the distribution ring. In the end, the jury chose to convict the man and sentence him to 27 years in prison.

Prosecutors Routinely Make Deals With Accomplices

When prosecutors have a situation like the one above, where several people are involved in one plot, they will often focus their efforts taking one defendant to trial and getting all the others involved to testify against that one person. This is strategic on the part of the prosecutors because people are usually willing to testify against friends and even family when told they are looking at a long prison sentence if they don’t. In return for their testimony against the “chosen” defendant, the witnesses are offered shorter prison sentences.

Generally speaking, prosecutors will gather information about one defendant and then try to get testimony from others who were involved in various ways to support their assertion that the “chosen” defendant is guilty of the alleged offense. This has the effect of making the chosen defendant look guiltier than the other people who were involved.

Have You Been Charged With a Criminal Offense in Michigan?

If you have been charged with a crime in Michigan, you need to ensure that you have an experienced and dedicated criminal defense attorney. In many cases like the one above, an experienced attorney can challenge the prosecutor’s witnesses based on the fact that they are accepting a deal in exchange for their testimony. If done properly, this can show the jury that perhaps these witnesses should not be believed because they have so much at stake.

To speak to an experienced Michigan criminal defense attorney, contact the Law Offices of Steven Schwartz. Attorney Schwartz is a dedicated and aggressive criminal defense attorney who has dedicated his career to defending those who have been accused of serious crimes. Click here, or call (248) 266-8720 to schedule an initial consultation with an attorney today.

More Articles

• Repeat Offenders in Michigan Drug Cases May Face Longer Prison Sentences, Michigan Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog, published September 17, 2013.
• Detroit High Speed Chase Results in Shooting of 2 Officers and 1 Suspect’s Death, Michigan Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog, published April 4, 2013.