How Do I Find a Good Criminal Attorney?

Every day, Dan and his team field calls from people who are searching for a good criminal defense attorney. They often have a list of potential attorneys that they’ve talked to or researched online.  They often ask a series of (good) questions, such as:

“How long have you been a criminal attorney?”

“Is criminal law your specialty?”

“Will you be handling my case, or will it be turned over to an associate attorney?”

“How much will it cost to have a good criminal defense attorney?”

Finding a good criminal defense attorney is vitally important to achieving a good and just result.  Too many attorneys are either inexperienced in criminal defense, don’t put in the effort and diligence needed to successfully obtain results, or are afraid to go to trial on a criminal case. The criminal justice system only works when an accused person has a dedicated, diligent and ethical criminal defense attorney to help. How does an accused person find such an attorney, especially during a health pandemic when face-to-face meetings are often impossible?

Learn more here.

If a loved one or you has been charged with a crime in Washtenaw County or Southeastern Michigan, and you want to discuss options, please call or email GLG Michigan 24/7 at (734) 263-2780 or online info@GLGMichigan.com.

Criminal Trials Over Zoom? “How Does this Affect My Case?”

Trials generally require a physical courtroom; 6-12 jurors; in-person testimony. Generally they can’t be accomplished with a lot of social distancing, especially in smaller courtrooms with multiple personnel present (prosecutor, defense attorney, accused, jurors, witnesses, and court staff).  As a result, courts have been struggling with what to do about criminal trials.  

Interested in finding out more? How could this affect your case? Read about how criminal trials are being handled during the pandemic on our website.

Can I Still Have a Criminal Trial During a Pandemic?

Courts in Washtenaw County and throughout Southeastern Michigan had to reinvent themselves and figure out how to handle busy criminal dockets despite a health pandemic and various governmental shutdowns. Courts couldn’t simply cancel criminal dockets and wait 6 months to resolve cases; way too much is at stake for public safety, for crime victims, and for the accused. Most courts have gone to a Zoom system where most criminal appearances are handled remotely.  

Learn more on how these changes could affect your case. 

“Probable Cause Conference” Can Be Both a Blessing and a Curse

In 2014, the Michigan Legislature passed laws inserting a new step—the PCC--into the felony process.  Before a defendant went directly from Arraignment to Preliminary Examination, which is a hearing at which the prosecuting attorney must prove “probable cause” (i.e., some evidence) of the defendant’s guilt.  If the prosecutor is unable to produce this evidence, the Judge/Magistrate can dismiss the case. What the Michigan Legislature realized (due to intense lobbying by prosecutors and police) was that many cases were being dismissed because prosecutors often didn’t have enough time to get civilian witnesses to court. This was especially glaring because defendants had a statutory right to have their Examinations within 14 calendar days of their Arraignment.  

As a result, Michigan added the intermediate PCC step. For clients who remain in custody at Arraignment, the PCC has been both a blessing and a curse. 

Interested in finding out more? Read about probable cause conference on our website! 

What is a “Probable Cause Conference” in Michigan?

When a person is charged with a felony offense in Washtenaw County or throughout Michigan, he or she often receives a court notice for a “Probable Cause Conference,” or PCC.  While some appearances are obvious just by their titles (i.e., Trial, Sentencing, etc.), a PCC doesn’t immediately register with most people.  What is a PCC and what should people expect to occur?

Interested in finding out more? Read about probable cause conference on our website! 

What You Need to Know About Diversion Programs for Michigan Criminal Offenses

Many diversion programs for Michigan criminal offenses have qualifying and disqualifying factors and are often offered at the discretion of a sentencing judge.  It is imperative that people consult with their attorney to see what, if any, diversion program might be available in their particular case.  It is equally imperative that attorneys are well-versed in these programs to know when a client qualifies and what safeguards to put into place to make sure a client doesn’t miss out on a program (or worse, pleads to an offense thinking he or she is eligible when not). 

If a loved one or you has been charged with a crime in Washtenaw County or Southeastern Michigan, and you want to discuss options on how to avoid a conviction, please call or email GLG Michigan 24/7 at (734) 263-2780 or online info@GLGMichigan.com.

What types of diversion programs exist for criminal charges in Michigan?

Consent Calendar:  For juvenile offenders (currently under age 17), certain offenses qualify for a diversion in which the minor is neither fingerprinted nor officially “adjudicated,” and instead he/she is offered a chance to prove the charge should not proceed.  If the minor complies, there is no formal finding of responsibility and no adjudication/conviction. 

H.Y.T.A.:  An age-based diversion program (officially known as the “Holmes Youthful Trainee Act”) for adults 17-23 who plead guilty to certain offenses (currently, traffic and motor vehicle code offenses such as drunk driving do not qualify) and have their cases shielded from public view and ultimately dismissed upon successful completion of probation. 

MCL 333.7411:  A drug possession diversion program for first-offender possession cases. 

MCL 769.4a:  A diversion program for domestic violence cases (alternatively known as the “Spousal Abuse Act”), which notably requires the consent of the prosecutor. 

Prosecutor Diversion/Delayed Sentence Programs:  Many city/township and state prosecutor’s offices have their own built-in programs in which they will consider a charge “Under Advisement” or will delay sentencing upon successful compliance with conditions of bond or probation. 

Interested in finding out more? Read about diversion programs for Michigan criminal offenses on our website!