Grand Rapids Drug Attorney

Drug Lawyer Charles Boekeloo

Firm Profile:

For over twenty years, Charles Boekeloo has dedicated his practice to serving criminal defendants with skill, compassion and respect. Attorney Charles Boekeloo specializes in handling all types of criminal matters, no matter how large or small. Attorney Boekeloo has a well-earned reputation for fighting hard for each client and obtaining the best possible results, whether that means preventing a charge from being filed, taking a case to trial, or negotiating the best possible deal.

If you or someone you know in Western Michigan needs the assistance of an experienced criminal lawyer, please contact Charles Boekeloo today at 866-435-4591, or complete the contact form provided on this site to schedule your free consultation.

Attorney Name: Charles F. Boekeloo

Jurisdictions Attorney is Licensed in: All state courts in Michigan. All federal courts in Michigan and Northern Ohio

Date Admitted to the Bar: November 23, 1982

Colleges Attended, Degree & Year Graduated: University of Michigan, BA, 1977, University of Detroit, JD, 1982

Professional Memberships & Achievements:
Member of State Bar of Michigan, Criminal Law and Litigation Sections
Grand Rapids Bar Association 
Kent County Criminal Defense Bar (Past President)
Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan 
Michigan Defense Trial Counsel 
Federal Bar Association 
Panel Member of Criminal Defense Trial Counsel for the Federal Western District of Michigan
President of the Rockford Public Schools Board of Education

Foreign Languages Spoken: French

Available after hours?: Yes, upon request

Length of time Firm has been together: 16 years

If I am arrested, should I hire an attorney?

Yes. You should hire an attorney as quickly as possible. You may be entitled to a Court Appointed Attorney at Public expense if you qualify as an indigent person. An indigent person is one who cannot hire an attorney without causing substantial hardship to himself/herself or dependent family. If you have been charged with a crime, you may complete a Request for Court Appointed Counsel at your first court appearance. If you qualify, an attorney will be appointed for you. The court may require you to repay some or all of the cost of your defense if it determines you are able.

What is the right to remain silent?

Just that—an absolute right to remain silent if a person is in custody and is being questioned by police as the suspect of a crime. This is an adversarial setting between the police and the suspect. The police may use various tactics to get a suspect to admit to a crime or make incriminating statements. These tactics may include appealing to a person`s guilt or conscience, engaging in ploys like `good-cop/bad-cop,` lying about the evidence against the person, making promises of leniency or release if the suspect confesses to a crime or outright intimidation. This is such an inherently coercive setting for a person that the U.S. Supreme Court ordered that the now-famous standard Miranda warnings be read to a person before the questioning process begins. You have the right to remain silent. Everything you say will be used against you. You have the right to a lawyer. If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be appointed to you.

It seems that, despite the warnings, people often ignore these rights and give incriminating statements to police that they later say are false, inaccurate or the result of abuse, coercion or intimidation. Also, people often forget that any communication or information given to police is considered a statement – not just a written or signed statement. These statements will be used against a person – just like the warning says.

An analogy: If you have a baseball bat, and someone tells you that if you hand him the bat he will hit you over the head with it, would you give that person the bat? Think about the right to remain silent the same way – remain tight-lipped and ask for a lawyer

Drug Crimes

Grand Rapids, Michigan and the federal government have laws against unlawful use, possession, distribution or production of certain drugs. These include cocaine, heroin, marijuana and amphetamines. The laws aim to reduce illegal drug use and cut down on drug-related crimes.

There are five categories, or "schedules," of drugs based on their potential for dependency and abuse as compared with their therapeutic value. Schedule I controlled substances have the highest potential for dependency and no accepted medical use. Schedule V drugs have a low potential for dependency and accepted medical uses.

The most severe penalties for illegal possession, sale or manufacture of drugs involve those listed in Schedule I. The Attorney General has the authority to delete, add or reschedule drugs. State schedules refer to or are based on federal schedules.

Punishment

The punishment for drug crimes in Grand Rapids, Michigan generally depends on:

• The quantity of the drug
• Its classification under the schedules
• The purpose of possession

The most serious drug crimes are:

• Producing illegal drugs
• Manufacturing drugs
• Selling drugs

Possession of drugs with the intent to distribute them is a serious crime. Prosecutors can prove your intent to distribute drugs just by showing the quantity of the drug, without any evidence you actually distributed the drug.

In most states, possession of drugs for personal use is a serious crime. But in some states, possession of drugs for personal use is punished less severely than distribution crimes. For example, in some states, possession of a small amount of marijuana (less than 50 grams) is decriminalized or treated as a disorderly person's offense. If there's a conviction, the punishment is often probation or a fine, and not prison. However, possessing larger amounts of illegal drugs, even for personal use, may be a serious crime.

Most minimum sentences range from one year in jail to three years in prison for first-time offenders. The minimum sentences for repeat offenders? Three to 12 years in prison.

Enhanced Punishment

Some states have enhanced penalties for drug crimes. These apply if:

• Minors are used to distribute the drugs
• The drugs are delivered or sold to minors
• The drugs are sold or distributed near schools

Enhanced punishments vary by state. You may also be in danger of "forfeiting" your property if you're convicted of a drug crime. For example, if your house is used to make and distribute drugs, the government may be able to seize it.

Professional Drug Dealers

Special laws cover professional drug dealers. A "drug kingpin," or a person organizing, financing or managing a business to manufacture, transport or sell drugs, commits a serious crime.

There are special sentences for professional drug dealers. Federal law even has the death penalty for drug kingpins. Some states impose 25 years in prison without parole for professional drug dealers.

Questions for Your Grand Rapids Drug Attorney

• Do I need a lawyer if I'm going to plead guilty to a drug crime charge?
• What are Grand Rapids, Michigan drug schedules?
• What are Grand Rapids, Michigan sentencing guidelines?