If you are charged with a felony in one of Michigan’s State courts, then you have a right to a preliminary examination. This hearing will take place after your probable cause conference. This probable cause conference must take place within 14 days of the arraignment. A preliminary examination hearing is…
Michigan and Federal criminal and Constitutional law provides that when a person is arrested and charged with a crime, they have the opportunity to seek release from custody by posting bail or bond. Your bond and any conditions of your pretrial release will be considered when you are first brought…
In the United States, the discovery process in the criminal justice system is governed by federal and state laws and rules of criminal procedure. For example, Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 16 sets out the requirements for discovery in federal criminal cases. State criminal procedure rules may vary depending on…
Sex crimes in Michigan consist of four degrees of criminal sexual conduct (CSC). Each carries varying levels of severity and potential penalties. The four degrees of CSC are outlined in Michigan’s Penal Code and cover a range of sexual acts, including penetration, touching, and verbal communication. This article will explain…
If you have reason to believe that you are under investigation for a crime in Michigan, it is in your best interest to seek the advice and representation of an experienced criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible. You may feel tempted to handle the matter on your own or…
Like all Americans, even those accused of domestic assault are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Michigan and United States Constitutional laws both require that the government prosecutor prove all of the elements of the alleged criminal charges beyond a reasonable doubt. If accused of domestic violence in Michigan (or…
Jury nullification occurs when a Michigan jury returns a verdict that is contrary to the law given them by the Judge. In a criminal case, jury nullification occurs when the jury, while believing the accused to be guilty, nevertheless return a verdict of not guilty. Usually this happens when the…
When a person is found guilty of an offense in criminal cases, the punishment in Michigan depends on how grave the crime is. In terms of misdemeanor vs felony, a felony is a much worse criminal charge than a misdemeanor offense in the criminal justice world. Plus, felony criminal convictions…
The news stories covering the extremely tragic school shooting in Oxford, Michigan has brought the issues of gun safety and gun storage to the forefront in the Great Lakes State once again. As the unfortunate story goes, it is alleged that 15-year-old Ethan Crumbley opened fire on his fellow students…
Michigan’s criminal charges involving child pornography are rigorously enforced and harshly punished. For this reason, avoiding jail time on a child pornography (or, Child Sexually Abusive Material (CSAM), in Michigan) case can be extremely difficult. This is true whether the case involves possession, distribution or production of material that includes…