What Should I Do If Police Find My Friends Drugs in My Car?

Drug Crimes Lawyers Providing Vigorous Defense Against Erroneous Drug Possession in Ann Arbor, Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing and Throughout Michigan

As a motorist in Michigan, you are responsible for any property found in your vehicle, including drugs. You may be charged with possession due to the fact that it is presumed under Michigan law that you have control of any property which may be inside your vehicle. At Grabel & Associates, we understand your concern, and know that if you find yourself in this situation, you should contact our skilled and aggressive Michigan drug crime lawyers at once.

The best preventive measure is never to agree to allow police officers to search your vehicle, although they can without your permission in some instances. However, if the deed is already done and police have found a friend's drugs in your vehicle, it is important that you do not answer questions or make any statements without the presence of your attorney. When police have probable cause to believe you knew the drug(s) were in your car, it is usually because you admitted to knowing. Do not admit anything!

Remember that Police are NOT Your Friends

Police will often act like they are trying to help you, or even say things to make you believe that if you cooperate, it may benefit you in some way. Always remember that police are not your friends, and that admitting that you knew the drugs were there will not help your case. Even if the drugs in your vehicle really do belong to a friend and you have no involvement, police must "affirmatively link" them to you in some way.

Regardless of whether you were aware that a friend's drugs were in your vehicle or had no idea they were present, you can be arrested.

What You Should Do if Drugs are Found in Your Vehicle

The most important thing you can do if the police discovers a friend’s drugs is to gather all of the facts and discuss the situation with a capable Michigan criminal defense lawyer. Because the drugs were found in a vehicle that belongs to you, it is important that you take aggressive action to defend yourself.

Because individuals are often stopped by police and claim that any drugs found in their vehicles were not theirs even though they were, prosecutors often hear the excuse that "the drugs were someone else's." This makes proving your case even more difficult, which is why you must be extra diligent in proving your innocence. Your attorney can help disprove that the drugs belonged to you, but you must be willing to discuss every aspect of the situation.

The fact is, without probable cause or your permission; a police officer cannot search your vehicle. If an illegal search was performed, it may be that the evidence will be suppressed, which will work to your advantage and possibly even result in the drug case being thrown out.

Contact Our Michigan Drug Crime Attorneys Today

Regardless of the situation, your best defense is to have a skilled, experienced lawyer on your side who will work vigorously to protect your legal rights and freedom. At Grabel & Associates, we have a winning track record in obtaining positive results for our clients. Contact us now at 1-800-342-7896 for unparalleled legal representation.