Criminal Defense in Livonia, Michigan

The stakes are high when you’re facing a criminal charge in Michigan, and bringing a strong defense is key to protecting your rights and obtaining a favorable resolution. Criminal charges can range from DUI-related offenses to charges related to drug crimes, violent crimes, sex crimes, gun crimes, and beyond – and convictions come with serious legal and social consequences. Proceedings for alleged crimes occurring in the Livonia area will be held at the 16th District court, located at 32765 Five Mile Road, Livonia, MI 48154. If you find yourself in a challenging situation, you shouldn’t delay obtaining professional legal counsel of an experienced criminal defense attorney in Livonia.

Types of Cases

Accusations of criminal wrongdoing by the government can take many forms, which have specialized proceedings. It’s beneficial to obtain the legal services of an attorney, in order to navigate the complex process your case. 

Felony Versus Misdemeanor 

In Michigan, a criminal charge falls into one of two broad categories – felonies or misdemeanors. Felonies are more serious offenses which can result in prison sentences of one year or longer, whereas misdemeanors are lesser offenses where potential jailtime is limited to one year. Examples of felonies include homicide, assault with a dangerous weapon, possession of narcotics with intent to distribute, resisting/obstructing arrest, and malicious destruction of property. Common misdemeanor charges include crimes relating to retail fraud, domestic violence, and operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicants charges. Some offenses, such as criminal sexual conduct, may be charged as a misdemeanor or felony, depending on the nature of the circumstances. 

Regardless of whether you’re facing a felony or misdemeanor, retaining the legal assistance of an experienced criminal defense attorney in Livonia is imperative to ensuring your rights are protected and the most favorable resolution is reached. 

Juvenile Justice 

In Michigan, a person accused of committing a criminal offense, who is under the age of seventeen at the time the alleged act was committed, is referred to as a “juvenile”. However, this is not absolute – for the most serious offenses, a person fourteen years or older may be charged as an adult through a waiver proceeding. The juvenile justice system differs from the criminal justice system in several very important ways.  Juveniles do not face being found “guilty”, but rather, they face the potential to be found “delinquent”. While a juvenile who is found delinquent may face similar consequences in the criminal justice system, the purpose is to focus on rehabilitation in order to prevent future unlawful acts. This is not to say that the consequences of a juvenile delinquency are minimal – juveniles are often fingerprinted, which opens their case to public inspection and the internet. This can have a detrimental impact on your ability to get admitted into colleges/universities or professional programs, receive financial aid, gain employment and obtain housing. 

Due to the severity and potential lifelong impact that a juvenile delinquency can have on a young person, seeking the experience of a criminal defense attorney to advocate for your child is not only essential for reaching the most favorable outcome in their case, but also for ensuring the fewest barriers possible in their future.  

License Restoration

In Livonia, the ability to operate a motor vehicle is nearly essential to function in daily life. When a person is convicted of certain criminal offenses, such as operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs, one potential consequence they may face is the suspension or revocation of their driver’s license.

License Suspension Versus Revocation

When a person’s driver’s license has been suspended, their driving privileges have been temporarily terminated for a specified period of time, but their privileges will automatically be reinstated after the time period has been reached. Revocation, on the other hand, is a termination of a person’s driving privileges for permanently, for an unspecified time period. If your driver’s license has been revoked, you’ll need to apply to have your license restored after a sufficient amount of time has passed with no further instances and sufficient personal progress has been made. Some basis for suspension or revocation include refusal of a breath test pursuant to a police officer’s request (known as Implied Consent Refusal) or poor driving record.

Consequences of Driving While Suspended or Revoked

The reality is that some people who have had their driving privileges suspended or revoked by the state of Michigan will continue to drive unlawfully. These individuals may face Driving While License Suspended (DWLS) or Driving While License Revoked (DWLR) charges if they’re stopped for the police. While this is a misdemeanor, some judges will impose jailtime for first-time offenses, although repeat offenses may result in increased jailtime, hefty fines, lengthy probation, or the loss of your vehicle. If a person with a suspended or revoked license causes serious injury or death to another person, they may face a felony carrying a potential prison sentence.  

If you’re ready to get back behind the wheel, the key to your success is the assistance of an experienced attorney who specializes in license restoration. At Geherin Law Group, we have a 98% success rate when it comes to driver’s license restoration cases. Without the representation of an attorney, the success rate for getting a driver’s license restored is incredibly low. An experienced attorney brings a wealth of knowledge regarding the complex process and evidence needed to get your license back. If you fail to get your driver’s license restored, it will result in a mandatory one-year wait to try again for restoration. 

Operating a Vehicle while Intoxicated 

One of the most common reasons that a person’s driver’s license becomes suspended or revoked is because of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.  OWI charges refer to operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, and they’re as common as they’re serious. The charge relates to getting behind the wheel when above the legal limit of .08 percent blood alcohol concentration (BAC). If the police determine that the alcohol in your system impaired your ability to drive to an unsafe degree, your BAC doesn’t have to reach the legal limit for you to face potential legal consequences. Even without consuming alcoholic beverages, a person can still be found guilty of OWI if they‘re found to be voluntarily under the influence of drugs at the time they were stopped, regardless of whether these drugs were prescribed by a physician. 

Aggravating factors may increase the severity of the charge, the fines and penalties faced in relation to OWI. Aggravating factors may include the following:

●      Having a person in the car with you who is under sixteen years old

●      Causing injury to someone else

●      Having a prior conviction(s) of a similar nature

●      Having a BAC reading higher than .15 percent BAC

An experienced attorney in Livonia can help you build a solid defense strategy that will aim to reach the best possible outcome for the charges you’re facing.

Call a Criminal Defense Attorney in Livonia, Michigan Today

Results matter! If you’re facing criminal charges in Livonia or Wayne County, turn to Geherin Law Group. We’re available 24/7 and we’ll put our 25+ years of criminal justice experience to work in protecting your interests. With an impeccable record of successful outcomes and unmatched client service, former clients have given Daniel T. Geherin 265+ 5-star reviews on Avvo.com. Contact us or call anytime at (734) 263-2780. Dan and his team of attorneys and paralegals will fight aggressively and always treat you personally.