If you were just arrested for carrying a concealed weapon in Detroit, the first thing you want to know is how much time you could be facing. We defend individuals facing criminal charges in Michigan, including concealed pistol and other firearm charges, and we can start on your case the day you call.
How much jail time will you face for a concealed weapon charge in Michigan?
Carrying a concealed pistol without a license is a felony in Michigan punishable by up to 5 years in prison, or a fine of up to $2,500, under MCL 750.227. That figure is the maximum the law allows, not what every person receives. The actual outcome depends on your prior record, the facts of the stop, whether the search was lawful, and whether the prosecutor can prove every element of the charge.
The statute reaches a pistol carried on or about your person or in a vehicle, with narrow exceptions written into the law itself. You may carry a pistol without a license in your own dwelling, your place of business, or on land you possess, under MCL 750.227. Those exceptions, and whether one applies to you, are exactly the kind of detail that decides a case.
There is also a separate and more serious layer when a firearm is carried during the commission of another felony. If that applies to your situation, the exposure changes, and you can read more on our page about Michigan’s felony firearm sentence.
What jail time do first-time offenders typically receive?
First-time offenders convicted of carrying a concealed pistol in Wayne County often receive probation, sometimes with county jail time as a condition, rather than the five-year maximum. Sentences of six months to one year in county jail are common when the court imposes incarceration, though outcomes vary widely based on the facts of the stop, your criminal history, and whether the pistol was loaded or stolen. A conviction also means loss of your firearm rights and a felony record. The goal is to avoid a conviction entirely by challenging the search, the stop, or the proof of concealment, or by securing a dismissal or reduction before trial. A recent client was charged with both CCW, Felon-in-Possession and Felony Firearm facing a mandatory 2 years in prison. This client’s case was resolved with no prison time and no felony convictions on his record..
What happens after a concealed weapon arrest, and what do we do?
After an arrest for carrying a concealed weapon, your case moves through arraignment, a probable cause conference, a preliminary examination, and then into circuit court if it is bound over. Each of those steps is a chance to challenge the case, and missing one can cost you.
Here is how we work a CCW case:
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We review the police report, the reason for the stop, and how the pistol was found. A traffic stop or search that violated your Fourth Amendment rights can lead to evidence being suppressed.
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We examine whether the prosecution can actually prove the pistol was concealed and that no statutory exception applied.
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We look at your eligibility for alternatives to a conviction, such as deferred or diversion options where the facts and your record support it.
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We prepare the case for trial from the start, because a prosecutor negotiates differently with a lawyer who is ready to try the case than with one who is not.
Judges and prosecutors are not on your side. The prosecutor’s job is to convict you, and the judge runs the courtroom, not your defense. You need someone whose only job is to protect you.
What does a concealed weapon defense cost, and how do you pay?
Legal fees for a CCW defense depend on whether your case resolves early or goes to trial, so we quote your fee after we understand the charge and the evidence. We accept cash, credit card, check, and electronic payment, and we offer payment plans so that cost does not stop you from getting represented.
A felony conviction carries costs far beyond a fine. It can mean jail or prison, loss of your gun rights, a record that follows you to every job application, and damage to your standing in the community. Paying for a defense now is about protecting all of that.
Why hire Kevin Bessant & Associates?
We have defended people against criminal charges in Michigan since 2006, and Kevin Bessant has been licensed by the State Bar of Michigan since 2006. That is two decades of standing in Detroit courtrooms and knowing how local prosecutors and judges handle firearm cases.
Some firms take a CCW case, push for a quick plea, and move on. We build the case to win, which means pressing the search, the stop, and the proof of concealment before anyone talks about a plea. When a plea truly serves you, you will know exactly why, and it will be your decision made with full information, not a shortcut taken for the firm’s convenience.
A concealed weapon charge is often tied to a traffic stop or a search you believe was unfair. If any part of your arrest felt wrong, that instinct matters, and our page on your constitutional rights during a Detroit arrest explains why.
Where do you serve?
We represent individuals facing criminal charges in Detroit, Michigan, and the surrounding communities in Wayne County. If your arrest and your court date are in the Detroit metro area, we can take your case.
How do you book a consultation?
Call us at 313-658-8159 or request a consultation at kevinbessantlaw.com/consultation-request. We respond within 24 hours, and the sooner we start, the more room we have to challenge the evidence while it is fresh.
Frequently asked questions
How much jail time can I actually get for a first concealed weapon charge?
The maximum under MCL 750.227 is 5 years in prison, or a fine of up to $2,500, because the charge is a felony. A first offense with no prior record usually does not draw the maximum, and the real outcome turns on the facts of the stop, the strength of the evidence, and whether a statutory exception or a suppression argument applies. We can give you a realistic read once we see the police report.
What should I do right after a concealed weapon arrest?
Do not talk to police or prosecutors about the facts of your case without a lawyer, and do not assume explaining yourself will help. Write down everything you remember about the stop and the search while it is fresh, then call us at 313-658-8159. The earlier we get involved, the sooner we can protect your rights at arraignment and start challenging the evidence.
Do you offer payment plans for a felony defense?
Yes. We accept cash, credit card, check, and electronic payment, and we offer payment plans. We set your fee after we understand your charge, so you know the cost before you commit.
How fast can I speak with an attorney?
We respond to consultation requests within 24 hours. You can call 313-658-8159 or use our consultation request form, and we will move quickly because firearm cases have early court dates that cannot be missed.
What areas do you cover for concealed weapon cases?
We handle concealed weapon and other firearm charges in Detroit and the surrounding Wayne County area. If your case is being heard in a Detroit metro court, reach out and we will tell you how we can help.
Can a concealed weapon charge be reduced or dismissed?
Yes. We challenge the legality of the stop and the search, examine whether the pistol was actually concealed under the statute, and look for statutory exceptions such as possession in your own dwelling or place of business. When the evidence was obtained unlawfully or the prosecution cannot prove every element, we push for suppression, dismissal, or a reduction to a misdemeanor. Your eligibility depends on the facts of your case and your prior record.