Attorneys Focusing on Criminal Defense

No. The Fifth Amendment gives you the right to remain silent, and Michigan law recognizes that same right. You're only required to identify yourself. Anything else you say can be used against you, even if you believe you're helping your case or you're innocent. If police haven't read you your Miranda rights, that doesn't automatically invalidate an arrest, but it can make your statements inadmissible in court. The best approach in any interaction is to clearly say you want a lawyer and stop answering questions until one is present. 

The core difference is the maximum possible sentence. Felonies are punishable by more than one year in state prison. Misdemeanors carry up to one year in county jail. Michigan also categorizes felonies by class (A through H), with Class A being the most serious. Beyond the sentence, felonies carry longer-term consequences like loss of firearm rights, voting restrictions while incarcerated, employment barriers, and licensing implications. Misdemeanors are less severe but still affect your record and can limit opportunities. 

An arraignment is the first court appearance after an arrest, usually within a few days. The judge reads the charges against you, explains your rights, enters a plea on your behalf (typically not guilty), and sets bond conditions. The court will also set the next court date. This is a critical moment because bond conditions and early strategic decisions can shape the rest of the case. Having counsel with you at arraignment matters more than most people realize. 

A first-time OWI (Operating While Intoxicated) in Michigan carries up to 93 days in jail, fines between $100 and $500, up to 360 hours of community service, six points on your driving record, and a 30-day hard license suspension followed by 150 days of restricted driving. If your BAC was 0.17 or higher (High BAC OWI), the penalties increase, including a one-year license suspension and mandatory ignition interlock for restricted driving privileges. Anyone charged is also required to complete a substance abuse assessment. Consequences can compound if there are aggravating factors like injury, a minor in the vehicle, or prior offenses. 

Yes, in many cases, though the path depends on the facts and the evidence. Common outcomes include dismissal for insufficient evidence, plea negotiation to a lesser charge, deferred sentencing programs (like Michigan's Holmes Youthful Trainee Act for eligible young offenders), or diversion programs that avoid a formal conviction. Whether any of these apply to your case depends on your charges, priors, the strength of the evidence, and the prosecutor's willingness to negotiate. That's why the earlier an attorney is involved, the more options tend to be available. 

Not necessarily. Michigan's Clean Slate Act (effective 2021) allows automatic expungement of many misdemeanors and some felonies after set waiting periods. Additional 2022 changes made certain first-time OWI convictions eligible for expungement after five years. Some offenses can't be expunged, including life-eligible felonies, most traffic violations, and certain sex offenses. Whether your specific charge is eligible depends on the offense, how long ago it occurred, and your criminal history. If clearing your record matters to your future, it's worth talking to an attorney about your options. 

Yes. Pleading guilty without counsel almost always leads to worse outcomes than pleading with representation. Prosecutors often charge at the highest level supported by the facts, and without negotiation, you may plead to a heavier charge or a longer sentence than the case actually warrants. A defense attorney can push for reduced charges, alternative sentencing, or dismissal of some counts as part of a plea deal. Even for someone who wants to accept responsibility, guilty pleas carry lasting consequences for employment, housing, immigration, custody, and licensing that a lawyer can help mitigate.