Michigan Lawyer Faces 'Double Penalty' Drug Charge
MUSKEGON (WWJ/AP) - A West Michigan defense lawyer who previously had his law license suspended following problems with cocaine is facing a new drug-related charge.
Terry Nolan, 55, was arrested Tuesday and charged Wednesday with one count of unlawful use of a controlled substance.
That charge is normally a one-year misdemeanor, but because Nolan has a past drug conviction he is being charged with a "double penalty," Muskegon County chief assistant prosecutor Tim Maat told Mlive.com. Nolan faces a maximum penalty of two years in prison if convicted.
A crack cocaine bust in July 2002 cost Nolan his law license, which he regained in 2009.
Matthew R. Kacel said in a statement on behalf of Nolan's law firm that they're "shocked and deeply saddened" by word of Nolan's arrest. The firm plans to stay open.
Because of Nolan's ongoing work as an attorney in the Muskegon County court system, he will be arraigned by a judge outside the area.
It wasn't immediately clear if Nolan will lose his law license again.
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