Criminal Defense Law Firm around Wyandotte MI

It's very stressful to find yourself charged with a criminal offense, such as drunk driving, failure to pay traffic tickets, marijuana or other drug use, shoplifting, or retail theft. If you are facing felony charges, you should not attempt to defend yourself in the Michigan criminal court system. Statistics indicate that defendants who represent themselves in criminal cases are more likely to be sentenced to jail time. If you have been accused of a criminal action in the Metro Detroit area, you can call (313) 945-9050 to speak with one of the most experienced lawyers in the region.

A Michigan criminal defense lawyer will know how to navigate the Michigan criminal court system, to ensure that your rights are fully protected. Having an aggressive local attorney fighting for you in court improves your chances of obtaining a fair outcome and protecting your legal rights.

Drunk Driving and Tickets

State anti-drugged and anti-drunk driving laws compel the Michigan state criminal court system to take prompt action against accused violators and to impose tough penalties on those who are convicted. In fact, the Michigan criminal courts decide cases of drunk driving and drugged driving on average within just 77 days following the arrest of a suspect.

Sentences for people convicted of drunk or drugged driving in Michigan can carry from a minimum of 6 months' driver license suspension. Much longer suspensions or revocations are handed down by the court in cases of multiple convictions, and can also include one or more of the following:

Admission into a rehabilitation program for alcohol or drug addiction treatment

30 to 90 days of community service

1 year of consecutive jail time

A license reinstatement fee of $125 (if your driver's license was restricted, suspended, or revoked)

A Driver Responsibility Fee of $1,000

Further, Michigan drunk driving or drugged driving offenses become felonies if the driver has two prior convictions for the offense, or if serious injury or death of another person has resulted.

Action You Should Take: You must act quickly to obtain a qualified attorney who can immediately begin the legal process of working to have your penalties significantly reduced, and to guide you through decisions that can carry major consequences for your future.

Experienced Local Criminal Defense Lawyer

It is important to obtain aggressive representation by a qualified Michigan DUI/OUI lawyer, to make sure that everything possible is done to minimize your risk of having a DUI conviction on your permanent record, and your risk of jail time and other potential punishments.

Shoplifting or Retail Theft

Shoplifting is a serious crime in the state of Michigan. The consequences of conviction follow the individual throughout his or her life. A retail fraud charge can jeopardize your future employment. Shoplifting charges are defined under the Michigan state penal code as one of three degrees of Retail Fraud.

Third degree retail fraud --- Under $200.00. This misdemeanor is punishable by up to 93 days of jail time; or a fine up to $500.00, or 3 times the amount of the theft, whichever is greater; or both jail time and a fine.

Second degree retail fraud --- $200.00 or higher, but under $1,000.00. This is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year of jail time; or a fine up to $2,000.00, or 3 times the amount of the theft, whichever is greater; or both jail time and a fine.

First Degree shoplifting --- Over $1000. This is the most serious degree of shoplifting. Sentences upon conviction can include up to 5 years of jail time and a possible fine of $10,000 or higher, or up to 3 times the amount of the theft.

NOTE: More severe sentences may be handed down by the court for a defendant with 1 or more prior convictions.

Action You Should Take: All three degrees of shoplifting charges require a strong legal defense to fight damaging legal outcomes for defendants. An experienced Michigan criminal attorney also relieves the difficult legal struggles involved in a criminal shoplifting case. A lawyer experienced in shoplifting cases can provide a defense to save your permanent legal record and your reputation.

If you did not intend to take property from a store, but are now facing criminal shoplifting charges, your defense attorney will do everything that can be done through the legal process to prove your innocence. Or, if you have been wrongly accused of shoplifting, possibly due to profiling by retail store staff, based on your age or race, contact a criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible to protect your rights and defend yourself against the false charges.

Drug Charge or Citation for Marijuana

Being convicted of knowingly or intentionally possessing controlled substance in Michigan comes with serious penalties under Michigan state law.

Possession of Marijuana, as a drug included in section 7212(1)(d) of the state penal code, is a misdemeanor. This crime is punishable by jail time of up to 1 year, or a fine up to $2,000.00, or both jail time and fine.

Possession of a prescription form of Marijuana is a misdemeanor. This crime is punishable by jail time up to 1 year, or by a fine up to $1,000.00, or both.

Marijuana possession in Michigan is a criminal offense. Conviction of the crime of drug possession remains on your criminal record permanently, and can negatively impact your opportunities for employment throughout your life and your reputation.

Action You Should Take: If you are arrested for drug possession in Michigan, you should contact a qualified criminal defense attorney for a consultation. Be prepared to discuss the details of all events involved in your case. And, work closely with your attorney in preparation of your defense.

What You Should Do if You Are Charged With a Felony

Keep in mind that being charged with a crime does not guarantee that you will be convicted of the crime. While you are awaiting trial on criminal charges in Michigan, you should:

Consult with a qualified Michigan criminal defense attorney to discuss all of your options as soon as possible.

Be very careful to ensure that you follow all local, state, and federal laws.

Do not post any comments (positive or negative) on social media about your case, or about the police, prosecutor(s), or alleged victim(s).

Keep your job, if possible.

Be reliable with all family obligations.

Get involved in some local charitable work in your spare time.

The Law Offices of Angela J Ghannam, PLC is a leading Wyandotte area law firm, offering a wide range of legal services for clients throughout the Southeast Michigan region. We help people who need a Michigan criminal defense attorney to aggressively defend their rights in court against misdemeanor or felony charges.

We will provide you with a free consultation to discuss your case with you and determine how we can help you. Our involvement in your case ensures that everything that can possibly be done will be done in order to get the best potential outcome for you. Some of the kinds of criminal charges we can defend you against include:

Drunk Driving

Theft

Assault

Drug Possession

Robbery

White Collar Crimes

Domestic Violence

Other Criminal Charges

If you have been charged with a crime and need to consult with a trusted criminal defense lawyer, contact the Law Offices of Angela Ghannam as soon as possible to speak to one of our helpful legal professionals. Ask to schedule an appointment for your free consultation. We protect the rights of our clients throughout Michigan.