Many people find themselves facing charges of drug possession or DUI following a routine traffic stop. This was the case recently when a Downsville, LA man was pulled over for a minor traffic violation on Louisiana 15 at Emerson Road, according to a news report at The News Star.
On Friday, 50-year-old Jimmy L. Hollis Jr. of Downsville was charged with simple possession of marijuana and possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute after a Union Parish sheriff’s patrol deputy said he detected the odor of burned marijuana coming from inside Hollis’s vehicle. The driver gave the deputy permission to search the pickup truck, which the deputy did.
According to Sheriff Dusty Gates, Hollis dropped a cigarette package and partially smoked joint (marijuana cigarette) to the ground while getting out of his vehicle. When the deputy picked up the cigarette package, two items believed to be crack cocaine rocks were found inside. Hollis told the deputy that he was delivering the crack to a friend after buying it in Monroe.
Hollis’s bond was set at $4,500.
As is the case in Michigan, penalties for possession with intent to distribute charges in Louisiana are severe. At a minimum, those convicted of distributing less than 28 grams of a controlled substance may face a maximum of five years in prison along with fines and hard labor. Those who are over the age of 25 and found guilty of selling drugs to minors may face up to life in prison.
In the state of Michigan, a conviction on charges of cocaine possession with intent to sell or deliver will result in life-changing consequences. The number of years a person may spend behind bars, fines, and other penalties depend on the type and amount of drug involved, whether the person has a prior drug conviction, and other factors. Possession with intent to sell or deliver is a felony offense in Michigan, and may result in up to 20 years in jail along with fines of up to $25,000 when less than 50 grams of cocaine is involved.
As with all other types of crimes allegedly committed by those charged, all defendants are innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Even when you’ve been arrested, you have certain legal rights. Police often violate these rights. You must work with a Michigan drug crimes attorney who is aggressive and dedicated to obtaining great results in your case, helping minimize the damage and providing legal guidance throughout the criminal justice process. You do have options; don’t further incriminate yourself by speaking with police – let a seasoned lawyer handle this for you.