The Digital Trail: Cell Phone Forensics in the Idaho Murders

In the tragic University of Idaho murder case, cell phone forensics has taken center stage, offering a chilling glimpse into the suspect’s movements. When a phone is powered on, it leaves a digital trail, connecting to nearby cell towers and revealing its location over time. In this case, Brian Kohberger’s phone was tracked near the crime scene multiple times, both before and after the horrific events. However, the most striking piece of evidence is the anomaly: on the night of the murders, Kohberger’s phone was turned off. 

This deviation from his usual behavior raises significant questions. Was it a deliberate attempt to evade tracking? Investigators believe so, and this anomaly has become a critical point in the prosecution's case.

 

Despite its power, cell phone evidence is not without its limitations. Defense attorneys frequently challenge its accuracy, arguing that it only provides a general location, not a precise one. This inherent ambiguity underscores the need for corroborating evidence. However, the cumulative effect of this data, combined with other forensic findings, creates a compelling narrative for the prosecution.

 

The use of cell phone location mapping in this case highlights the double-edged sword of modern technology. While it provides invaluable tools for law enforcement, it also raises complex questions about privacy and the interpretation of digital footprints. As the trial unfolds, the strength and validity of this evidence will be closely scrutinized, shaping the future of digital forensics in criminal investigations.

 

Learn more about high-tech forensic techniques in identifying and linking the suspect to the University of Idaho college murder case here.

 

Contact Criminal Defense Attorney in Michigan for Help

 

If you or someone you know is facing legal challenges, contact our criminal defense attorney in Ann Arbor to learn more about how we can help you navigate the process. We offer a free consultation to discuss your case and help you understand your legal options.

 

Listen to our latest podcast the Michigan Justice Chronicles here.

Navigating Title IX and College Discipline Cases in Michigan

Title IX and university discipline cases can be complex and overwhelming, especially for students facing serious consequences. With major universities like the University of Michigan, Eastern Michigan University, and Michigan State University nearby, understanding the issues surrounding Title IX violations, campus crime, and student discipline is crucial. 

How Title IX Relates to College Discipline Cases

 

Title IX is a federal law that mandates gender equality in educational programs and activities, including protection against sexual harassment, sexual assault, and intimate partner violence. Universities must comply with Title IX guidelines to ensure a safe and equitable campus environment. Violations of Title IX can lead to serious consequences, including suspension, expulsion, or loss of employment.

 

The Title IX Investigation Process

 

When a Title IX complaint is filed, the university is required to investigate the alleged misconduct. This process typically involves interviews with the alleged victim, the accused party, and any witnesses. If the university finds that a violation occurred, it can impose a range of sanctions.

 

Title IX vs. University Discipline Cases

 

In addition to Title IX violations, universities have their own codes of conduct and disciplinary procedures. These can address issues like harassment, assault, or violations of campus rules. University discipline cases don't necessarily involve gender-based misconduct, but violations can still lead to serious consequences.

 

The Intersection of Title IX and Criminal Cases

 

Many Title IX cases, especially those involving allegations of sexual assault or violence, are also criminal in nature. This can create significant challenges, as statements made in a Title IX investigation may later be used in criminal proceedings.

 

Schedule Your Free Consultation with Criminal Defense Attorney, Dan Geherin Today 

If you or someone you know is facing a Title IX investigation, campus discipline case, or criminal charges related to college life, contact Geherin Law Group, PLLC to talk to a criminal defense attorney in Michigan about your rights.

 

Listen to our latest podcast the Michigan Justice Chronicles here.

How do you know if an attorney has vast experience in the Washtenaw County Criminal Justice System?

Many attorneys who “dabble” in criminal cases or who are based outside of Washtenaw County likely cannot answer these
simple questions. Finding an attorney with vast experience in Washtenaw County is so important to how your criminal case will be handled.  Why?  With that experience comes knowledge about the various prosecutors; understanding of a judge’s likes and dislikes; relationships with key people in the justice system (police officers, probation agents, clerks etc.) That can all translate to a consistently better result for you.  

To ensure your criminal defense attorney has experience in Washtenaw County, ask these questions:

“Is your main office based in Washtenaw County?”

“Do any of your attorneys live in Washtenaw County?”

“How many open criminal cases do you have in Washtenaw County currently?”

Learn more about Dan Geherin and his criminal defense firm in Washtenaw County here.

Consult an Experienced Washtenaw County Criminal Defense Attorney Today

 

If you’re looking for a Washtenaw County criminal defense attorney with extensive and specialized experience following an arrest, please consider calling the Ann-Arbor based practice of GLG Michigan.  (734) 263-2780

What is Probable Cause?

Before the police can search or seize your property or search or arrest you, they must have either a warrant or probable cause. Probable cause is established when there’s enough evidence, or there are enough facts to reasonably determine that a crime is being committed, likely has been committed, or likely will be committed.  

To ensure that the resulting arrest or search and seizure holds up in court, the officer must be able to share the facts upon which their determination of probable cause is based. 

A common example of probable cause is when an officer pulls a driver over for a driving infraction, such as drifting in and out of their lane. If the officer then finds that the driver’s speech is slurred and their breath smells of alcohol, probable cause for a DWI arrest is likely established. 

 

When probable cause can’t be established, any resulting search and seizure activity is illegal.

 

Learn more here regarding illegal search and seizure in Michigan. 

Consult an Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney Today

If you’re looking for a criminal defense attorney in Michigan with extensive and specialized experience following an arrest, please consider calling the Ann-Arbor based practice of GLG Michigan.  (734) 263-2780

Fourth Amendment Rights

The Fourth Amendment doesn’t guarantee against every search and seizure process but it protects us from those the law deems unreasonable. The matter of being reasonable in this context is determined by balancing the following primary interests:

 

●      The individual’s right to privacy

●      The government’s legitimate interests, including public safety

Home

Search and seizure inside of your home without a valid warrant is considered unreasonable.

Car

When an officer has probable cause to believe that evidence related to criminal activity is contained within, they have the legal right to search any areas in the vehicle where evidence might be found. The matter of probable cause can become a sticking point.

Your Person

If you’re being arrested – which requires probable cause to begin with – the police have the right to search you for their own protection. Running away from the police or engaging in any sudden movement also triggers this right. In any other situation, traditional probable cause is required to search your person. 

 

Learn more here regarding illegal search and seizure in Michigan.

Consult an Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney Today

If you’re looking for a criminal defense attorney in Michigan with extensive and specialized experience following an arrest, please consider calling the Ann-Arbor 

 

Geherin Law Group Helps Prove a Wrongfully Accused Man His Innocence

Can you imagine what it’s like to have the police falsely accuse you of a crime, let alone MURDER?  To have the weight of the government, with all its resources, bearing down on you and threatening arrest and lifetime incarceration?  To have people in the community refuse to talk to you; write on social media that you’re a murderer; make threats to kill you?  The answer is no, none of us can imagine that fear, anxiety, and pain. 

Our client, K.M. was wrongfully accused of robbery and murder of Egypt Covington in 2017. He went through hell and back---and besides family, the only allies he had in this fight were his criminal defense attorneys at GLG Michigan.  

Learn more about the Egypt Covington case here.

If you or a loved one is looking for a criminal defense attorney in Washtenaw County, contact us for a free initial consultation. Geherin Law Group serves clients in Washtenaw County and throughout Southeast Michigan and can be reached at (734) 263-2780.

Can You Imagine Being Wrongfully Accused of Murder?

In July, three defendants took responsibility for the robbery and murder of a local singer, Egypt Covington, in 2017. Ms. Covington’s family and friends can finally find some peace and solace knowing the killers will be behind bars and can be thankful for the diligent work of the Michigan State Police in solving the case.

Let us backtrack to 2017, in the months and years before these three defendants were arrested, a local police department was handling the investigation.  This department zeroed in on one suspect and one suspect only:  K.M., Egypt’s ex-boyfriend.  When police detained him and began to pressure him for hours, he called and retained Dan Geherin, a criminal defense attorney in Washtenaw County to represent him.  

Despite efforts to cooperate with the investigators, Dan and his team received nothing but resistance from police. The police continued to focus on K.M., labeling him a “person of interest” and releasing his name to the press. They released his name despite no physical evidence tying him to the offense and no motive.

Learn more about the Egypt Covington case here.

If you or a loved one is looking for a criminal attorney in Washtenaw County, contact us for a free initial consultation. Geherin Law Group serves clients in Washtenaw County and throughout Southeast Michigan and can be reached at (734) 263-2780.

How is DNA Evidence Found?

Anytime you touch an object or person, there’s potential for the transfer of cells containing DNA. Here are some circumstances that could lead to Criminal Sexual Conduct charges: 

• sexual penetration without a condom and with ejaculation
• sexual penetration without a condom and without ejaculation
• digital penetration, depending on the circumstances
• oral sex (leaving saliva on or around the genitals of the alleged victim)
• placing one's mouth on any part of the alleged victims' body
• placing one's mouth on the alleged victims clothing (transferring saliva in the same way)

Learn more here about how forensic evidence could be the key to  your criminal defense here.

If you or a loved one is facing a felony or misdemeanor charge, contact us. Dan Geherin is a criminal defense attorney in Ann Arbor serving clients in Washtenaw County and throughout Southeast Michigan and can be reached at (734) 263-2780. 

Have You Been Affected By the Compromised Marijuana Testing? Geherin Law Group Can Help You!

MSP recently dropped a major bombshell on the criminal justice community: They revealed that their chemical blood testing analysis for THC was badly compromised between March 2019 and August 2022.

Obviously, Michigan prosecutors and police may resist efforts to vacate convictions. They might argue that other evidence supports the conviction (i.e., poor driving, failures on Standardized Field Sobriety Tests).  However, judges may be less than sympathetic to these arguments knowing the police lab analysis was faulty and was prone to false positives. Finding a skilled, successful OWI Defense Attorney to fight for their rights certainly might be the difference between a clean record and the status quo. This is especially pronounced for people who suffered a loss of license, or loss of freedom, due to an OWI Marijuana conviction during this time period.    

Geherin Law Group specializes in OWI/DUI defense in Southeastern Michigan, and would be happy to review your case and see what relief might be available.

Learn more about the compromised marijuana testing in OWI/DUI cases here.

If you or a loved one want to talk about your options after a OWI/Marijuana arrest between 2019-2022, contact us. Dan Geherin is a criminal attorney in Washtenaw County serving clients in Ann Arbor and throughout Southeast Michigan and can be reached at (734) 263-2780.

Michigan State Police Drops a Bombshell About Compromised Marijuana Testing in OWI/DUI Cases

MSP recently dropped a major bombshell on the criminal justice community: They revealed that their chemical blood testing analysis for THC was badly compromised between March 2019 and August 2022. MSP revealed that their testing failed to distinguish between the illegal properties of THC and the legal property of CBD (Cannabidiol). CBD was legalized in Michigan back in March 2019.  Now, MSP found that their testing may have resulted in CBD being converted to THC during lab analysis, leading to inaccurate results and “false positives.”  

For those Michigan drivers who were arrested, prosecuted and possibly convicted (by plea or by trial) of OWI/Marijuana in the 3 ½ years (March 2019 to August 2022) affected, what do they do? For starters, they might want to contact an experienced DUI/OWI defense attorney about relief in the form of a plea withdrawal, a removal of conviction, or motion for new trial.  

Learn more about the compromised marijuana testing in OWI/DUI cases here.

If you or a loved one want to talk about your options after a OWI/Marijuana arrest between 2019-2022, contact us. Dan Geherin is a criminal attorney in Washtenaw County serving clients in Ann Arbor and throughout Southeast Michigan and can be reached at (734) 263-2780.

Having a Criminal History? It’s Critical to Have a Strong Defense Team on Your Side

An investigation into an alleged crime is a thorough and well thought out process. Anyone facing allegations of a crime or misdemeanor crimes should immediately start putting together the correct information for a strong criminal defense. 

To learn more about prior record variable scoring and habitual sentencing, read more here.

If you or a loved one is facing a felony or misdemeanor charge, contact us. Dan Geherin is a criminal attorney in Washtenaw County serving clients in Ann Arbor and throughout Southeast Michigan and can be reached at (734) 263-2780.

Prior Criminal History Can Lead to a More Serious Sentence

 

Prior felony convictions can lengthen your sentence in two ways: 

1. Prior record scoring – Your prior records can greatly extend a new sentence, depending on the number and types of offenses.
2. Habitual sentencing enhancement – Prosecutors may use your prior records to apply habitual offender enhancements, extending sentences already lengthened by prior variable scoring by another 100%. 

To learn more about prior record variable scoring and habitual sentencing, read more here.

If you or someone you know has been charged with a crime in Washtenaw County or Southeastern Michigan, contact Dan Geherin, a  criminal defense attorney in Washtenaw today answer your legal questions regarding criminal defense.  (734) 263-2780

We’ll Fight Zealously to Restore Your Reputation and Freedom

From felonies to misdemeanors; from drunk driving to homicide; from adult to juvenile; from Ypsilanti to Chelsea; from the University of Michigan to Eastern Michigan University…Geherin Law Group specializes in handling all criminal cases throughout Washtenaw County.  Dan has a 22+ year track record of success in the courtroom and a very long list of satisfied clients.  In fact, he has over 200 5-star reviews from clients who have benefited from his unwavering commitment to provide each client with personal attention, personal options, and personal justice.  

Learn more about Dan Geherin being names a “leading” criminal defense attorney in Washtenaw County here.

If you or someone you know has been charged with a crime in Washtenaw County or Southeastern Michigan, contact Dan Geherin, the best criminal defense attorney in Washtenaw today answer your legal questions regarding criminal defense.  (734) 263-2780

Looking for a “Leading” Criminal Defense Attorney in Washtenaw County?

Leading Lawyers Magazine has released its annual list of Top Lawyers in Michigan.  And for the eighth year in a row, it has named Daniel T. Geherin as a Leading Lawyer in the field of Criminal and DUI Defense.  

Dan, founder and principal attorney at Geherin Law Group in Ann Arbor, is a former prosecutor and board-certified criminal attorney in Washtenaw County. Only 5% of attorneys nationwide receive the Leading Lawyers Magazine Top Lawyers designation, and the distinction cannot be purchased; only those who receive peer nominations and a thorough review earn a spot on this list. On the current list, Dan is one of only 8 attorneys in Michigan named in the Criminal/DUI Defense Field, and is one of only two such designated in Washtenaw County.  

Learn more about Dan Geherin being names a “leading” criminal defense attorney in Washtenaw County here.

If you or someone you know has been charged with a crime in Washtenaw County or Southeastern Michigan, contact Dan Geherin, the best criminal defense attorney in Washtenaw County today answer your legal questions regarding criminal defense.  (734) 263-2780

Concerned About Your Gun Rights After a Criminal Charge? Everything You Need to Know Here:

Almost every day, GLG Michigan takes calls from people who are charged with a crime and are concerned about their gun rights.  Questions arise such as this:

“I am charged with a crime, can that affect my CPL rights?”

“I was arrested for domestic violence and the police seized my guns, is that legal?”

“If I am on probation, can I still own firearms?”

“If I get convicted of a felony, can I ever possess a gun again?”

If you’re arrested and arraigned, you’re told to surrender all weapons to the police—especially if you were charged with a domestic violence allegation.  These weapons are typically not returned until the end of a case, and often only when the defendant is found not guilty or has charges dismissed. When a person is convicted of a misdemeanor or felony offense and then placed on probation, they’re customarily ordered not to possess or purchase any firearms, requiring them to turn over weapons to law enforcement or sell them. For many felony convictions, a person must wait a period of time after probation (3-5 years typically) before they can apply for their gun rights to be restored. If a person has a CPL, they often lose that privilege once arrested---even before a conviction—and must wait years before their county will restore their Carry Permit.  

Learn more about what happens to your gun rights after a criminal charge here.

If you or someone you know has been charged with a crime in Washtenaw County or Southeastern Michigan, contact Dan Geherin, the best criminal defense attorney in Ann Arbor today answer your legal questions regarding criminal defense.  (734) 263-2780

Can a Criminal Charge Take Away Your Gun Rights in Michigan?

There are thousands of proud gun owners and enthusiasts in Michigan. Michigan residents use firearms for many reasons, including hobbies (target shooting), recreational sports (hunting), and home or self-protection. Many go the extra mile and apply for a permit to carry their guns in a concealed fashion through a Concealed Pistol License (often called a “CPL,” or “Carry Permit”).  

What happens when a proud gun owner is charged with a crime in Michigan? Can the State take away a person’s right to own, possess, buy or carry a firearm?  The short answer is “Yes.”  Many criminal charges and convictions can result in a prohibition against owning, purchasing and possessing guns.  

Learn more about what happens to your gun rights after a criminal charge here.

If you or someone you know has been charged with a crime in Washtenaw County or Southeastern Michigan, contact Dan Geherin, the best criminal defense attorney in Ann Arbor today answer your legal questions regarding criminal defense.  (734) 263-2780