A Michigan firearms offenses lawyer can help you navigate the legal system when you’re facing a serious weapons charge. While Michigan upholds the right to bear arms, it also enforces detailed laws governing how firearms must be possessed, carried, and transported.
A simple mistake or misinterpretation of these rules can quickly lead to felony charges with lasting impact. Prosecutors often pursue these cases aggressively, and navigating the legal process without experienced counsel can put both your rights and long-term future at risk.
At Friedman Law Firm, we represent individuals facing charges under Michigan’s firearms laws with a focused and well-prepared defense strategy. We carefully examine the details of your case, identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s approach, and take steps to protect your rights from start to finish.
If you are under investigation or have already been charged, it is important to speak with a Michigan firearms offenses attorney as early as possible to understand your options and begin building a defense. Call Friedman Law Firm at (248) 932-0900 for a free and confidential consultation.
Friedman Law Firm: Defending Clients Facing Gun Charges Across Southeast Michigan
If you have been charged with a gun offense in Michigan, you may be feeling uncertain about what comes next. These cases can have serious consequences, including possible jail time, a permanent record, and damage to your reputation.
At Friedman Law Firm, we help people in Royal Oak, Novi, and throughout Southeast Michigan who are facing firearm-related charges. One of our Michigan firearms offenses attorneys will work closely with you to protect your legal interests and pursue the most favorable outcome possible.
Many of our clients are responsible gun owners who never imagined finding themselves charged with a crime. In some cases, a misunderstanding, a moment of poor judgment, or confusion about the law can lead to an arrest, even for someone with no prior experience with the legal system. We are here to understand what happened and take immediate steps to begin building a strong defense.
We begin by carefully examining the details of your case, including the reason for the stop, how the search was conducted, and whether your rights were properly upheld during the investigation. A firearms defense attorney from our team will review police reports, body camera footage, and witness accounts to identify any mistakes or misconduct that could affect the outcome.
With a clear view of the facts, we develop a defense strategy that reflects your specific circumstances. Our familiarity with courts in Oakland, Macomb, and Wayne counties allows us to anticipate how these cases are handled and respond effectively to the prosecution’s approach.
Throughout the process, we stay in close contact, making sure you understand what to expect and feel supported every step of the way. Our focus is on protecting your rights and helping you move forward with a strong, steady defense.
Work with a Michigan Firearms Offenses Lawyer Who Understands the Law
A Michigan firearms offenses lawyer can help you make sense of the state’s detailed gun laws and guide you through the legal process if you are facing charges. In many cases, prosecutors do not need to prove that you intended to break the law. Simply violating the letter of the law may be enough for a conviction. That is why it is important to have an attorney who understands firearm statutes, court procedures, and what the prosecution must prove to move forward with a case.
Understanding Concealed Carry and CPL Violations in Michigan
Carrying a concealed weapon without a valid license is a felony in Michigan, punishable by up to five years in prison under MCL 750.227. Even licensed CPL holders can be charged if they unknowingly violate one of the law’s many restrictions. These violations often come as a surprise, especially to responsible gun owners who are unfamiliar with the full list of rules and prohibited locations.
Common Concealed Pistol License (CPL) Violations
There are several ways a CPL holder can be charged, even with no prior legal issues. Common violations include:
- Bringing a firearm into a pistol-free zone, such as a school, daycare, hospital, sports stadium, or bar where most of the income comes from alcohol sales
- Carrying while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Failing to tell a police officer immediately that you are carrying a concealed firearm during a stop or other official contact
Convictions can result in loss of your CPL, large fines, and time in jail, depending on your prior record and the specific details of the case.
Felony Firearm Charges in Michigan: What You Need to Know
Felony firearm is one of the most serious gun charges in Michigan. Under MCL 750.227b, this charge is filed when a person is accused of possessing a firearm during the commission or attempted commission of another felony. The related offense can involve drug possession, assault, theft, or other major criminal offenses.
The law requires a mandatory prison sentence for anyone convicted. A first offense carries a two-year prison term that must be served before the sentence for the underlying felony begins.
For example, if you are sentenced to three years for the felony and two years for the firearm charge, you will serve five years total. There is no option for probation or early release during the two-year firearm sentence.
Repeat convictions lead to even longer prison terms. A second offense carries five years, and a third carries ten, all to be served in full before any other sentence. Because the penalties are so severe, it is important to work with a Michigan gun charge lawyer who has experience challenging these types of cases.
Felon in Possession of a Firearm in Michigan
Anyone with a prior felony conviction is barred from owning or possessing a firearm or ammunition under both Michigan and federal law. A violation of MCL 750.224f is a separate felony charge that can lead to significant penalties. This restriction may last for life unless the person has gone through a formal legal process to restore their firearm rights.
Possession may be direct or constructive, which means you can still face charges even if the firearm was not physically on you. For example, a gun found in your vehicle or in a safe at your home could result in a felony if you are considered to have access to it.
A conviction may result in up to five years in prison and significant fines. In some cases, federal charges may also apply, leading to longer sentences under federal law.
Additional Firearms Charges Prosecuted in Michigan
In addition to felony-level offenses, Michigan prosecutors also pursue a range of other gun-related charges. Each carries its own penalties and may be filed as either a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the circumstances.
A weapons charge lawyer in Royal Oak or nearby communities can help you respond to these charges with a clear defense strategy based on the facts of your case.
Brandishing a Firearm
This offense involves pointing or displaying a firearm in a threatening or careless manner in public. It is a misdemeanor that can lead to arrest and criminal charges, even if no one is injured.
Careless or Reckless Discharge
Firing a weapon without intending harm but doing so in a way that endangers others can result in either misdemeanor or felony charges. The seriousness of the charge often depends on whether anyone was hurt or if property was damaged.
Possession with Unlawful Intent
This felony charge applies when someone is found with a firearm and is believed to have planned to use it against another person. It is more serious than simple possession because it alleges intent to commit violence.
Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm
It is a felony to fire a gun into or at a building that is believed to be occupied, even if no one is injured. This offense is taken seriously by Michigan courts and can carry a lengthy sentence.
Serving Clients in Royal Oak, Novi, and Southeast Michigan
At Friedman Law Firm, our attorneys have experience handling firearms charges in Oakland, Macomb, and Wayne counties. We understand how these cases are charged and prosecuted in local courts and use that insight to challenge the evidence, file appropriate motions, and protect your rights at every stage.
If you are facing any type of gun charge, from a concealed carry violation to a felony firearm case, contact our office to speak with a Michigan firearms offenses lawyer. We provide direct legal advice and build a strategy based on the specific details of your case.
Building a Defense with a Michigan Firearms Offenses Lawyer
An arrest is not the same as a conviction. Before you can be found guilty, the prosecution must prove each part of its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
A Michigan firearms offenses lawyer plays an important role in defending your rights and challenging the state’s evidence at every step of the process. At Friedman Law Firm, we represent clients facing gun charges in Royal Oak, Novi, and throughout Southeast Michigan.
Our goal is to provide clear guidance, strong advocacy, and a defense strategy built around the specific facts of your case.
Challenging the Police Stop and Search
Many firearm cases begin with a traffic stop or a street encounter, which makes the details of that initial interaction an important focus for your defense. One of the first steps your attorney may take is to carefully review whether the police followed proper legal procedures during that contact.
The Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects you from unlawful searches and seizures. If law enforcement violated that protection, any evidence they obtained, including a firearm, may be excluded from the case and cannot be used against you in court.
Legal Questions That Matter
To challenge the stop, your lawyer may ask:
- Did the officer have a lawful reason to stop your vehicle or question you?
- Was there specific, legal cause to justify a search of your car, home, or belongings?
- Did you knowingly and voluntarily give permission for that search?
A vague suspicion is not enough under the law. If the stop or search did not meet legal standards, your attorney may be able to have the firearm evidence suppressed. In many cases, this can weaken the entire case or lead to a dismissal.
Addressing the Issue of Possession
Not all firearm cases involve someone being caught with a gun in hand. In many situations, prosecutors rely on the idea of constructive possession, which means they believe you had access to and control over the weapon, even if it wasn’t physically on you.
For example, if a firearm is found in a car you borrowed or in a shared space at home, the state must still prove that you knew the gun was there and had the ability to control it. Simply being nearby is not enough. Your Michigan firearms offenses lawyer can highlight these issues, offer alternative explanations, and show that the prosecution’s version of events is incomplete or inaccurate.
When Self-Defense May Apply
In some cases, the presence or use of a firearm may be legally justified. Michigan law, through the Self-Defense Act (MCL 780.972), allows people to use force, including deadly force, when they reasonably believe it is necessary to stop an immediate threat of death, serious injury, or sexual assault.
Raising a self-defense claim requires more than stating you were afraid. Your lawyer will need to clearly explain what threat you faced, how you saw that threat at the time, and why your response was reasonable under the circumstances. This defense can be powerful when supported by the facts.
Other Defense Strategies That May Apply
Depending on the charge, your attorney may also explore whether the object in question meets the legal definition of a firearm under Michigan law. In concealed carry cases, the question may be whether the weapon was actually concealed under the law.
In brandishing cases, your lawyer may argue that your behavior did not match the legal definition of threatening or reckless display. These details matter and can shape the course of your defense.
The Real-World Impact of a Firearms Conviction
The legal penalties for a firearm conviction in Michigan can include prison time, high fines, and strict probation. But the consequences often extend far beyond the courtroom.
A felony record can make it difficult to find work, especially in professions that require background checks or professional licenses. It can also affect your ability to find housing, as landlords often screen applicants for past convictions.
For many gun owners, one of the most serious consequences of a conviction is losing the right to legally own or use firearms. A felony conviction under Michigan or federal law can result in a lifetime ban on possessing a firearm.
Although there is a legal process to restore those rights, it is often complicated, time-consuming, and far from guaranteed. This is one of the many reasons why having an experienced attorney on your side is so important when facing a firearms charge. If you’ve been arrested, it’s crucial to understand what steps to take to protect your rights.
Schedule a Free Consultation with a Michigan Firearms Offenses Lawyer
A firearms charge in Michigan is a serious matter, but you are presumed innocent and have the right to challenge the allegations through the legal process. With skilled legal representation, you can protect your rights and work toward a resolution that minimizes the long-term consequences.
At Friedman Law Firm, we represent clients facing firearms-related charges throughout Southeast Michigan with a focus on preparation, precision, and results. If you are being investigated or have been formally charged, we encourage you to seek legal counsel as early as possible.
Contact Friedman Law Firm today at (248) 932-0900 for a free and confidential consultation with a Michigan firearms offenses lawyer. Our role is to understand your situation and begin crafting a solid defense as early as possible in the process.