PRESS-NEWS.org - Press Release Distribution
PRESS RELEASES DISTRIBUTION

Michigan's Specialty Drug Teams Target College Students

Michigan college students should be aware that state police have specialty drug teams that target students in drug busts.

2010-09-18
September 18, 2010 (Press-News.org) A 2009 incident involving a Grand Valley State University student who was shot by a specialty-drug-team officer highlights the fact that Michigan State Police target college students through drug busts in dorms and campus apartments. Accordingly, it is important for students to know their rights and options regarding police interaction and drug charges.

The Specialty-Drug-Team Shooting

Derek Copp, a GVSU student, said he was studying with his roommate at their Campus View apartment when he heard a knock at their sliding glass door in March 2009. Deputy Ryan Huizenga of the West Michigan Enforcement Team, a specialty drug team, was outside with other officers and a warrant to search the apartment.

According to police reports, Copp had sold 3.3 grams of marijuana to an undercover officer earlier that day and told the officer it would be a busy night for drug sales at his apartment. His roommate also sold 3 grams of marijuana to an undercover officer in February. Therefore, the West Michigan Enforcement Team went to Copp's apartment expecting a large pot bust.

When Copp went to the door and opened the curtain, he was suddenly shot in the chest by Huizenga. Huizenga said the shooting was accidental, claiming that he mistakenly had his finger on the trigger instead of on the trigger lock when he prepared to enter the apartment.

Copp eventually recovered and later was sentenced to 18 months of probation, 40 hours of community service and $300 in fines for delivery or manufacturing of marijuana. Huizenga returned to duty after a six-month suspension, a $400 fine and 80 hours of community service.

Copp's sentence and Huizenga's reinstatement incited protests at college campuses across the state. While no other incidents have similarly caught the attention of the media and college students since then, Michigan's specialty drug teams are still used to find drug users in dorms and college apartments.

Students' Rights and Options

In a common scenario, drug team officers will walk through dorm hallways until they smell marijuana. They will then knock on doors and ask students about other drugs, getting the students to admit marijuana use because the students see it as a less serious drug.

If police arrive at your door, know that you can assert your rights. If police would like to search your dorm or apartment, you may request that they obtain a search warrant before entering. In addition, other than providing your name if you are asked for it, you may refuse to talk with the police. You have the right to remain silent, even if you are not under arrest.

Also, a special diversion program may be an option for young adults charged with committing a crime. Under Michigan's Holmes Youthful Trainee Act, people who are 17 to 20 years old and plead guilty to their crimes may be placed in prison or on probation without convictions. If they successfully complete the youthful-trainee program, they will not have criminal records. However, young adults who are charged with traffic, major controlled substance or sex offenses are ineligible for the program as well as people charged with felonies that carry the maximum punishment of life imprisonment.

If you are facing drug charges, promptly contact a criminal defense attorney in your area to fully understand your options. Because a drug conviction can significantly affect your ability to get housing or a job, the assistance of an attorney who has experience working with college students and drug crimes is invaluable.

Article provided by Aggressive Criminal Defense Law Firm
Visit us at www.aggressivecriminaldefenselawfirm.com


ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

Texas Cities Cracking Down on Overdue Child Support

2010-09-18
In 2009, the top 10 child support evaders in Texas owed more than $500,000 in collective back payments and interest to their children. One parent alone owed over $130,000 in support for his two children. In March of this year, an ABC report noted that the most wanted list of child support evaders, published by the Office of the Attorney General, owed over $1 million in delinquent payments, with the top offender owing more than $160,000. According to the Office of the Attorney General's Child Support Division, Texas law requires the Office of the Attorney General to develop ...

A Spate of Motorcycle Accidents Highlights the Risks of Hitting the Road

2010-09-18
The winding roads of western North Carolina are a haven for motorcycle enthusiasts around the south. With the increase in bike traffic, however, comes a higher risk of accidental injury or death. The recent death of former police officer Gerald Droze proves that even the most experienced riders are vulnerable when sharing the road with larger vehicles. The freedom and sense of liberation associated with motorcycling -- the wind in your hair, the sun on your face, the speed and joy of passing cars by -- can prove to be a distraction. Many people, particularly novice operators, ...

Proposed Motor Vehicle Safety Act Holds Automakers Accountable

2010-09-18
For the most part, motor vehicles hitting the roads in the United States are some of the safest in the world due to diligent efforts of government oversight agencies like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). As this year's massive recall of millions of Toyota-brand cars, trucks and SUVs reminds us, however, there is always room for improvement. In addition to ensuring the safety of millions of drivers operating potentially dangerous vehicles, the recall served another very important purpose - it brought to light gaps in the regulatory system that, ...

New Credit Card Rules Designed to Protect Consumers

2010-09-18
In May of 2009, President Obama signed the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility, and Disclosure (CARD) Act of 2009 into law. The goal of this legislation was to provide consumers with protection against unfair practices by credit card companies and to put an end to unreasonable interest rate hikes and hidden fees. According to White House statistics, nearly 80 percent of American families have a credit card and nearly half of those cards carry a balance from month to month. With the current economic conditions, more and more families are having trouble paying their ...

South Carolina Legislature Takes on Teacher-Student Relationships

2010-09-18
According to the State Department of Education, there are over 50,000 public school teachers in South Carolina. Most are inspiring professionals who do their best to educate their students and help them develop. However, the state has experienced several incidents over the past few years in which teachers have sexually abused or had inappropriate relationships with students. In May, a South Aiken teacher was required to give up his teaching license as punishment for having an inappropriate relationship with a 15 year-old student. In June, a seventh grade teacher was ...

Motorcycle Safety Tips

2010-09-18
The Governor's Highway Safety Administration reports that there were over 4,700 motorcycle accident fatalities in 2009, noting the first time in 12 years that the number of fatalities has declined. In Colorado, the number of deaths decreased as well, down over 10 percent from the 2008 high of 98. A recent report by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) states that there are nearly 175,000 registered motorcycles in the state. With more and more motorcyclist on the road, it is important for riders and drivers of other vehicles alike to take notice and help the ...

Cruise Amour Announces UK's Biggest Cruise Giveaway

Cruise Amour Announces UKs Biggest Cruise Giveaway
2010-09-18
Cruise Amour, which brands itself as the Apple Mac of the cruise industry, is running a competition to win one of 50 free cruise holidays and over 200 cruise experiences, a prize fund believed to be the biggest ever offered by a cruise travel agency in the UK. The competition has been announced to coincide with the launch of company's brand new website. Managing Director Tim Hurrell said: "We've invested heavily in building a website that puts the customer first, offering usability and feature enhancements never before seen in the cruise industry. We felt it fitting ...

Europcar Reports Football Fans Staying at Home to Avoid a Kick in the Wallets

2010-09-18
Europcar has revealed new research* that shows over one in four football fans now believing that following their team and attending matches is now a luxury they can't afford. Already Wigan F.C has made the headlines by taking a reported 60 away fans to their Premier League fixture at Spurs. Yet when it comes to away support, the 'big four' are bottom of the league according to the new research by Europcar. While the league's top teams have legions of armchair fans, the research reveals how few are prepared to hit the road for an away game. On average, Chelsea, Spurs ...

M&S Money Reveals Brits Stick to Things They Know and Love

2010-09-18
M&S Money has revealed new research that shows when shop keepers and businesses earn the British public's trust, customers return time and time again. From dentists to favourite shop keepers, on average these relationships with our favourite shops and people last the test of time, according to new research by M&S Money* to mark the company's 25th anniversary. The results showed that people have firm favourites among their shopkeepers and other professionals, with almost 25 million Brits remaining loyal to their favourites for 20 years or more. Six out of 10 say that ...

19 Year Old Creates notyourtv.com; Looks to Revolutionize Internet TV

2010-09-18
Web TV has just gotten a whole different look with www.notyourtv.com. The website integrates quality content with a unique user interface. Notyourtv's home page represents what the site is all about. It has the latest videos in news, technology, sports, and entertainment. It's organized and centered around a web player. It offers a unique user experience. The home page also encompasses a neat instant search feature, targeted for the site's channels and TV shows. The TV shows page on notyourtv is truly amazing. Not only does the site have direct links to almost all ...

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:

Department of Energy announces up to $500 million for basic research to advance the frontiers of science

Neural activity associated with motor commands changes depending on context

Argonne joins Illinois manufacturers for ​“Makers on the Move” tour

High cure rate, low toxicity maintained with shortened radiation treatment for intermediate risk prostate cancer, study finds

True progression or pseudoprogression in glioblastoma patients?

ASTRO 2023 Session shines spotlight on physician burnout

Embargoed Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center ASTRO 2023 Tip Sheet

University of Cincinnati radiation oncology experts present at national conference

MD Anderson Research Highlights: ASTRO 2023 Special Edition

University of Virginia team’s research offers hope for pulmonary fibrosis patients

Department of Energy funds new center for decarbonization of steelmaking

New criteria to assess progression in glioma aims to speed discovery of new medicines

NPS team makes key breakthrough on path to electric aircraft propulsion

Berkeley Lab awarded two new centers to counter climate change

Stanford researchers unveil new material infused with gold in an exotic chemical state

Research Highlights for September 2023

JMIR Publications places No, 348 on The Globe and Mail's annual ranking of Canada's Top Growing Companies

Argonne National Laboratory launches South Side STEM Opportunity Landscape Project at DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center

Allergy study on 'wild' mice challenges the hygiene hypothesis

Ancient plant wax reveals how global warming affects methane in Arctic lakes

Atopic dermatitis: Viruses discovered as new therapy option

Larger lymph node threshold optimizes nasopharyngeal carcinoma outcomes

BPS celebrates Max Planck-Humboldt medal awardee Kandice Tanner

Cleveland Clinic researchers develop new model for prioritizing lung transplant candidates

American Academy of Arts and Sciences to induct UVA's Garcia-Blanco

Illinois-led team puts cows and microbes to work to reduce greenhouse gases

DOE announces $264 million for basic research in support of Energy Earthshots™

New drug a breakthrough for brain tumor that strikes young people: NEJM editorial

Genome study reveals 30 years of Darwin’s finch evolution

Ghent University’s research team envisions a bright future with active machine learning in chemical engineering

[Press-News.org] Michigan's Specialty Drug Teams Target College Students
Michigan college students should be aware that state police have specialty drug teams that target students in drug busts.