Clarkston Gun Lawyer

The Second Amendment gives Americans the right to bear arms at the federal level. However, every state in the country is responsible for laying out the circumstances under which someone may hold, purchase, and use firearms, as well as the consequences for violating those regulations.

Gun charges in Michigan are serious, and a conviction could land you in prison and subject you to other severe penalties and consequences. If you are facing one or more firearms charges, it may be essential to hire an experienced criminal attorney who can safeguard your constitutional right while your case is pending. A Clarkston gun lawyer can work with you and help pursue a positive outcome in your criminal firearms case.

Michigan state law makes it illegal to possess firearms under certain circumstances. Some of the most common gun charges in Clarkston include:

• Possessing a firearm while committing a felony
• Carrying a concealed weapon without a license
• Possessing a firearm in a prohibited location, such as on school grounds
• Possessing certain types of firearms, including rifles with barrels shorter than 16 inches
• Possessing a firearm following a felony conviction
• Possessing an unregistered firearm
• Unlawfully brandishing a firearm

Similar to how drug-related offenses are approached by law enforcement, a prosecutor could charge someone with possessing an illegal firearm even if the police do not recover the firearm directly from their person. For example, if the police recover the offending firearm from a home where the accused party resides, the prosecutor could still charge them with constructively possessing that illegal firearm.

Even in criminal cases where you are facing a serious gun charge, you may still have viable defenses available to you. A gun lawyer in Clarkston could assist you with your defense both in and out of court.

In some instances, you could argue that they had no knowledge that a firearm was present in the particular location it was seized. Alternatively, you could contend that the firearm was not loaded during the incident in question or that the police made a mistake as to your identity.

In certain cases, you or your legal counsel may be able to argue that the police infringed your Fourth Amendment right against unlawful seizures and searches or your Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. Once retained, a seasoned legal representative can assist you with determining which legal defenses have the greatest chance of success given your specific circumstances.

Convictions for even a minor firearms charges could come without serious consequences. If the State prosecutor satisfies its burden of proof and obtains a conviction against you, you could face long periods of jail time and steep fines, and you may also be prohibited from owning a gun indefinitely.

Additionally, firearms convictions can also result in a permanent criminal record. You could also lose your professional license or your job, and if you are an immigrant, you might be subject to visa revocation or even deportation.

An experienced Clarkston gun lawyer can help you minimize your chances of facing the consequences associated with a firearms conviction and advocate for you during the legal process. Call today to schedule a consultation and learn more about your options.