Anything you post can be used against you, and prosecutors regularly pull social media accounts as part of building a case. Your own posts carry particular weight because a defendant’s own words are treated as an admission and come into evidence without you ever taking the stand. How Does Social...
You keep driving at first. Michigan police confiscate and destroy the plastic license at the time of an alcohol-related arrest and hand over a temporary paper permit in its place. That permit remains in effect until either the case ends or the Secretary of State takes action. What Is the...
Michigan requires a breath alcohol ignition interlock device (BAIID) in three main situations: a high blood alcohol content conviction, a restricted license granted to a repeat offender through a sobriety court, and a license restored after revocation. A judge can also order one as a condition of probation in cases...
A prior driving under the influence (DUI) conviction, known as operating while intoxicated (OWI) in Michigan, can lead to much harsher consequences for a new charge. A second offense within seven years brings increased penalties, while a third qualifying offense may be charged as a felony regardless of when the...
A Michigan conviction can appear on background checks used by employers, landlords, and schools, potentially affecting jobs, housing, and educational opportunities. Set aside relief exists, and criminal charges resolved favorably never reach that stage. What Do Employers Actually See? Screening companies compile information from court records, Michigan State Police records,...
You have the right to remain silent, have a criminal defense attorney present during questioning, refuse consent to a search, and be informed of the charges against you. These protections apply as soon as a police investigation begins, not just after an arrest. Silence Protects You Only When You Claim...
A misdemeanor in Michigan carries a jail sentence rather than a prison sentence. A felony carries more than one year in a state prison, and criminal defense strategy shifts substantially depending on which side of that line your charge falls. Where Does Michigan Draw The Line? The county operates jails...
The most damaging mistakes after criminal charges are ordinary ones: a friendly conversation with officers, a retelling to people who can be subpoenaed, and release conditions treated as suggestions. Prosecutors build much of their case from material the defendant voluntarily hands over. Why Does Talking to the Police Feel Harmless?...