Michigan Gang Violence Laws
Anyone who is in a gang or a victim of gang violence should be aware of the tough Michigan gang violence laws that are on the book in this state. If you are arrested for being in a gang, you are facing serious prison time. If a person commits a felony is in a gang, […]
Difference Between 1st 2nd 3rd Degree Sexual Assault
Perhaps no charge, except murder, creates more fear in a defendant than a criminal sexual conduct (CSC) charge. To be convicted of one of these charges is to labeled by many people in society as a sexual predator or a child molester. There are four categories of sexual assault charges in Michigan. A person convicted […]
Destruction of Property
We see people facing destruction of property charges all the time. The main factor in determining if the charge you face will be a misdemeanor or a felony charge is the amount monetary damage was delivered to the property. If you are arrested for this charge, you need to contact an attorney with the experience […]
What Is A Preliminary Examination?
In the state of Michigan, a person who is charged with a felony has a right to run a preliminary examination. The examination will be held at your local district court, not in circuit court. The preliminary exam, which is also called a probable cause hearing, must take place within 14 days of the defendant’s […]
Is It Illegal To Record Someone
With the explosion of modern technology, people have the means to record conversations by the push of a button. People can have a cell phone in their pockets and record someone without the other person in the conversation knowing they are being recorded. A person can have a camera in their house and record a […]
Arraignment
Anyone who has been arrested or charged with a crime will have to appear in court for an arraignment. The Arraignment is the first formal court appearance someone will make when they are facing criminal charges. At the arraignment, a judge will read on the record the charge or charges the defendant is facing. The […]
Public Sex
Gross Indecency: Your Defense Against Public Sex Charges In Michigan, the law regarding public conduct is strictly enforced, and an arrest for Gross Indecency or Indecent Exposure is a legal emergency. Many people mistakenly believe these charges are minor “slaps on the wrist” or that they can be laughed off in court. The reality is […]
The Michigan Stand Your Ground Law
Laws that deal with self-defense have quite a bit of variance from state to state. Under the michigan stand your ground law, citizens can use deadly force to protect themselves if they have reason to believe their life is in danger. Under the Michigan stand your ground law, a person has no duty to retreat […]
Reckless Driving In Michigan
Under Michigan law, a person driving a motor vehicle on the road can be charged and convicted of “reckless driving” if they operate the vehicle in a “willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.” The term willful is used to describe conduct that is done in an intentional or purposeful manner. […]
Misdemeanor vs Felony Charges in Michigan
A lot of people who love to watch crime dramas have seen the terms “felony” and “misdemeanor” used a lot when talking about the alleged crimes of the accused. So, what do these terms mean and what is the difference between these two crimes in Michigan? Quite often, we get asked by our client to […]
The Michigan Distracted Driving Law
District driving has become a serious problem across all West Michigan Courts. There has been accident and after accident caused by people being distracted. This accident are not just minor fender benders, people are getting seriously injured or killed in these accidents. Because of the increase of serious auto-accidents, the state legislature is adding tough […]
Michigan Window Tinting Law
Michigan has a lot of great roads to drive on during the summertime and in winter. Anyone who has spent any time driving on the roads in Michigan has seen a red Ford Mustang flying down the highway with flashy rims and tinted windows. Like many people, I have been envious of these sweet looking […]
Were You Just Arrested Anywhere in the Grand Rapids Area?
Getting arrested for a felony or misdemeanor charge in Michigan is certainly a scary event. If you happen to be reading this, it is likely that you have been arrested recently or a loved one or someone you know has been arrested. Perhaps, this person is sitting in jail at the moment. Without a doubt, […]
Uttering And Publishing
People that run companies and public offices such as the Secretary of State need to have records that are reliable and accurate. Forgery, falsifying document and counterfeiting cost businesses, individuals and national, state and local governments billions of dollars a year. The cost of this is always past on to the consumer. Uttering Definition “A […]
Michigan Legal Alcohol Limit
Under Michigan law, there are two ways a person can get charged with drunk driving. One way is having a law enforcement officer view a person’s behavior, smell, appearance and conclude that a person is intoxicated. The other way is the one that happens a lot more. If the officer tests your blood alcohol content […]
How Much Does A DUI Cost?
I’m often asked by clients, “How much does a DUI cost so I can pay up and get this over with?” Unfortunately, this is not how it works at all. Getting a conviction for a DUI in Michigan is like carrying around heavy luggage when you travel, it goes with you wherever you go. There […]
Driving On A Suspended License
The burden people face in Michigan for not having a driver’s license is a harsh one. Here in West Michigan, the public transportation system is not where it should be. If you need to get to Grand Rapids or other suburbs like Kentwood or Jenison, you could be looking at a 30 to 40-minute drive […]
Michigan Auto Theft Laws
In the state of Michigan, Joyriding is an extremely serious charge that is vigorously prosecuted throughout the entire state. There are other crimes of a similar nature on the books that are called auto theft and carjacking. The Statue that applies to the crime of auto theft is found in the Michigan Complied Laws Annotated 750.356 and 750.356a. A […]
Michigan’s Castle Doctrine
Recent events in the news, such as the Amber Guyger case in Texas, have brought about great attention to the “Castle Doctrine.” Michigan law provides that when certain facts are fulfilled, a person may use either non-deadly or deadly force against someone who has invaded your home. This law also protects people under certain circumstances from being prosecuted if […]
Michigan Open Container Law
Under Michigan law, both the driver and passengers in a motor vehicle are prohibited from transferring or possessing a container of liquor. The Michigan open container law gives a very broad definition of alcoholic liquor. The law covers any compound or liquid that has any amount of alcohol in it. Some examples are: Spirits such […]