My cousin is in trouble with law...what can we expect now?

Question

He lives in Michigan and was caught selling Ectasy in Ohio. He had 50 times the limit to be a felony. He is charged with 1st degree felony trafficing and 4th degree felony trafficing. He has 2 attorneys and has made bail of 100,000/10%.

The judge told my cousin, he plans to make an example of him and throw the book at him...hard. Ohio law says he can get up to 10 years for first count, and 18 months on the other...plus up to $20K fine for 1st offense and $5K for second. It also says they can add jail time for major drug offenses.

I cannot believe they let him out on bail. This is devestating the family financially. His wife had no idea and they are separated, but she feels financially obgliated to pay for this. The attorneys already cost a retainer of $8K just to get started.

My questions: Is this possibly a federal crime? How hard do you think a judge will hit a first time offender? Is his wife responsible financially? How long of a trial will this probably be? What if he doesnt have the fines monies? If this is federal, what types of penelties can he get?

Any information on this is helpful. We have never had this type of stuff in the family. We are in shock.

Answer 1

The lawyers, bail bonds, and State will bleed all of the money he can give.  And then they'll suggest a plea bargain.

Once they ( the courts, lawyers, and the like) get all the money his family, and he has he'll get five to 10 years state and Federal.  

But most of the time the Fed's win out.  

After he does the fed time the state can pick up the charges.

Mostly the State will forfeit and let it go Federal.

Since it's his first offence.  They'll give him two years.

Answer 2

I wish I knew....

Good luck.