Protecting Your Record, Your Rights, and Your Freedom After a Michigan Weapons Charge
A weapons or firearm charge in Michigan is serious, but it does not have to define the rest of your life. At Jeffrey Randa and Associates, our Metro Detroit criminal defense attorneys defend people accused of everything from carrying a concealed pistol to felony firearm allegations in the courts of Oakland, Macomb, Wayne, and the surrounding counties. We have helped good people through hard situations since 1993. If you have been arrested, we can walk you through your options and start protecting your rights today.
Why People Across Metro Detroit Trust Us with Weapons Cases
For more than three decades, our firm has concentrated on criminal defense, OWI defense, and driver’s license matters in Michigan. Clients trust our firm to handle their criminal cases because we offer:
- 30+ years focused on Michigan criminal defense and OWI, not a general practice that splits its focus between several legal fields.
- Clear communication throughout the case, including ensuring you understand the charges you face and your options.
- Local court knowledge in Oakland, Macomb, and Wayne counties. We know the judges and prosecutors who handle these cases and the procedures in district and circuit courts.
We believe most people facing a weapons charge are good people caught in a bad moment, not hardened criminals. You will not get judgment from us. You will get a clear, honest read on where your case stands and what we can do about it.
We also handle Michigan OWI defense and driver’s license restoration. For qualified clients, we back that work with our License Restoration Guarantee, which is our commitment to keep working your restoration or out-of-state clearance case until you win. It’s not a promise of a specific court outcome, but it is our word that we won’t walk away.
Weapons and Firearm Charges We Defend in Michigan
Michigan’s weapons laws are broad, and a single incident can lead to more than one charge. These are some of the cases we handle most often:
- Carrying a concealed weapon (CCW): Carrying a concealed pistol in a vehicle or on your person without a valid license, or carrying certain concealed dangerous weapons such as a dagger, dirk, or stiletto (which are prohibited concealed regardless of any license). It is a felony that can carry up to 5 years in prison or a fine of up to $2,500.
- Felony firearm: Possessing a firearm while committing or attempting another felony. It adds a mandatory 2 years in prison for a first offense, 5 years for a second, and 10 years for a third, served on top of and before the sentence for the underlying crime.
- Felon in possession: Possessing a firearm or ammunition after a felony conviction, before your firearm rights have been restored. This is itself a felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison or a fine of up to $5,000, or both.
- Carrying with unlawful intent: Going armed with a firearm or other dangerous weapon intending to use it unlawfully against another person. It is a felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison or a fine of up to $2,500.
- Brandishing a firearm in public: A misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail or a fine of up to $100, or both. The law does not apply when you are lawfully acting in self-defense.
If your charge is not listed here, call us anyway. We defend the full range of Michigan weapons allegations.
Why the Penalties Demand a Serious Defense
A weapons conviction in Michigan can follow you for the rest of your life. Most of these charges are felonies, which means possible prison time, steep fines, and a permanent record that can cost you jobs, housing, and your firearm rights.
Felony firearm is the clearest example of how fast the stakes climb. Because that additional prison term must be served consecutively, it cannot be shortened by probation or parole, and it stacks on top of the punishment for the underlying felony. Even a first conviction for carrying a concealed pistol without the proper license is a felony that exposes you to years behind bars.
The reassuring news is that a charge is not a conviction. How the police stopped you, searched you, and handled the weapon all matter, and so does whether the prosecutor can prove every element of the case.
How We Defend Weapons and Firearm Charges
Every case starts with the facts. We look closely at how the encounter with police unfolded, because a stop or search that crossed legal lines can get evidence thrown out. We examine whether the weapon was truly yours, whether you knew it was there, and whether you had a license or lawful reason to be armed.
From there, our goal is the best result the facts allow. Sometimes that means fighting for a dismissal. Other times it means negotiating a charge down to something that keeps a felony off your record. Weapons charges often travel with other allegations, such as assault or drug charges, and we defend the whole case.
We keep you informed and treat you with respect at every step.
Call Now to Discuss Your Situation
You do not have to face this alone. When you call Jeffrey Randa and Associates, a friendly and helpful person will answer, listen to what happened, and help you take the next step. There is no judgment and no pressure, just a straight answer about where things stand.
Your consultation is free and confidential. Call us or reach us through the contact form or chat box. If you are facing a weapons or firearm charge in Oakland, Macomb, Wayne, or the surrounding counties, call for a free, confidential consultation today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to questions we hear most often about Michigan weapons charges.
Is carrying a concealed pistol without a CPL really a felony in Michigan?
Yes. Carrying a concealed pistol on your person or in a vehicle without a valid license is a felony under Michigan law, punishable by up to 5 years in prison or a fine of up to $2,500. A valid concealed pistol license is a defense we check for right away.
Can I be charged with a gun crime if the firearm was not mine?
Possibly. Michigan law can reach a firearm that is simply within your control, such as one in a vehicle you are driving, even if you are not the owner. Whether you knew the weapon was there and whether you actually had control over it are often central questions, and they can become strong points in your defense.
What should I do right after a weapons arrest?
Say as little as possible to the police and call a lawyer before you explain your side. Anything you say can be used to build the case against you. The sooner we get involved, the sooner we can protect your rights and start your defense.