I took the Oath to become a Member of the Michigan State Bar. My mentor, Ron Bretz motioned me into the bar.
Many have often heard me say, that I am living the ultimate “hippy” dream. Getting paid to go up against “the man.” All kidding aside, every day I still wake up ready, willing, and able to be a shield for someone accused of wrongdoing by the government. For years, I have carried the Criminal Defense Attorney of Michigan’s (CDAM) highest distinction-Constitutional Warrior. I have always brought a holistic approach to my practice. That means my clients and I will interact a lot (I pride myself on being accessible and have been answering my phone directly for years), looking for solutions outside of the case, to better themselves so they will not be on my docket again. As a very young man, I was exposed that we should do for others, hence, my docket is full of appointed cases, I also have a daily spiritual practice that guides me.
I have met some of the best people in the world. My colleagues have become my friends and I have seen many of them become judges. I respect all the shareholders in the system and know they are human like me and us.
The pandemic has allowed me to have greater respect for this profession. I and my colleagues have gone the extra length for our clients. Doing this, as we, too, are suffering a great financial impact. I remain willing to go into a courtroom and jail (we see our clients behind glass in Macomb County) if called to do so. Because someone is sitting in a cell, and as an 18-year member of the Board of Directors for CDAM, I will resist any efforts to run contested confrontation hearings by remote technology. Specifically jury trials, I fight the voice inside that sometimes rears its head, causing doubts as to whether my practice is dying a slow death. Way too many signs from the Universe to the contrary.
Thanks for being on this ride with me . . .
How to Find a Michigan Criminal Defense Lawyer
How to find a Michigan Criminal Defense Lawyer, when you are arrested for a crime, is a proven criminal defense attorney that will fight for your rights. You can choose who wants to represent you which shouldn’t be a problem if you have money but if you don’t, you will have to settle with whoever the court appoints for you. But for those who can hire one, here are a few tips to help you select a professional.
First, when you meet the criminal defense lawyer, you should ask how long has he or she been practicing criminal law and also how many cases did they win. Surely you don’t want to work with a lawyer who is fresh out of college or has never won a case. You also don’t want to work with someone who chooses to settle the matter out of court very often because you will probably get the shorter end of the stick when you decide to go for the plea bargain.
The more years of experience this person has, the better because this professional should already know the ins and outs of the judicial system. That person may have already dealt with the prosecution in the past and knows how to get a winning verdict.
You should also check if the lawyer that is representing you is a certified Michigan criminal defense lawyer. This will save you the time of asking how long this person has been in the practice because getting such recognition means you have actively participated in 100+ cases involving the taking of testimony.
Naturally, you have to be comfortable with the criminal defense lawyer who will be representing you in the case. He or she should be able to give you updates like when is the trial, what strategy will be used during trial and other matters that may help make the outcome go in your favor.
Since you are already in your office, be sure that the criminal defense lawyer you are speaking with will be the one who will actually defending you and not handed over to another person in the firm.
Given that the practice of criminal defense work is their bread and butter, you should also discuss the fee arrangements. Some lawyers charge a flat fee while others do it on an hourly basis. It is better to get a flat fee so you are not charged every time you have to consult your lawyer over the phone or in person. You should also find out if this already covers the case should this go to trial.
While the criminal defense lawyer will do their share to maintain your innocence, you should also do your share so this can happen. You do this by cooperating with them so they will be able to come up with a good defense.
The best criminal defense lawyer to get is the one who is experienced. After all, a criminal trial may last weeks or even months before a verdict is reached. This may cost you a great amount of money but if you get a not guilty verdict from the jury, it is surely worth every penny so you can move on with your life instead of spending the rest of it behind bars.
What Is A Criminal Defense Lawyer
What is a criminal defense lawyer? He or she is a legal professional who organizes a case in order to represent a client who is accused of a crime.
These crimes include sex, drug and violent offenses which are things that are not approved by society as seen in this countrys laws.
The job now of the criminal defense lawyer is to fight for the client by defending the client in open court in a jury of their peers. In some cases, this person is successful when the jury gives a verdict of not guilty. Other times, the jury will say that the accused is guilty.
If the jury does not have a unanimous decision, the judge has no choice but to call for a retrial. Should there by a mistake made in the trial such as the selection of the jury, the judge will say that it is a mistrial and once again, both sides will have to start over and present their case.
There are instances where the criminal defense lawyer and the prosecutor dont have to settle this matter in court. This may happen as both sides have an agreement and this is approved by the judge.
But how does this all happen? First, a crime has to be committed. Law enforcement authorities will then have to figure out what happen and if they have enough evidence, a suspect is arrested.
The person who is arrested has the right to remain silent during questioning until their lawyer is present. If the person cannot afford one, then a lawyer will be provided so even those who dont have money will be properly represented.
The sixth amendment in the bill of rights state that anyone who is arrested has the right to a speedy trial and this has to be done where the crime was committed. After being arraigned, the criminal defense lawyer will now conduct an investigation by interviewing witnesses, reviewing police reports and any other evidence that is related to the case.
The suspect that is charged with the crime can only be convicted if the case presented by the district attorneys office is very convincing. This means that a criminal defense lawyer can get a not guilty verdict by putting holes into the defense of the prosecution. When this happens, the client is freed. Should things go the other away, the criminal defense lawyer can make an appeal to the higher court regarding the lower courts conviction.
Can anyone become a criminal defense lawyer? A lot of experts say no because unlike other specializations in the practice, some find it very intimidating especially when the client that you have to represent is actually guilty of the crime. But given that you are that persons attorney, it is your duty to defend the accused to the best of your ability from start to finish.
Given that crime of all sorts and nature occur, some have set up their own law firms that specialize in criminal law. Most who graduate from law school work for the government and are often referred to as public defenders.
How much you earn as a criminal defense lawyer varies. This depends mainly who your client is because if you are defending a millionaire, you can charge a lot for your legal fees while someone who doesnt earn much will be able to only give how much is in their wallet.
Carrying a firearm Under the Influence in Michigan
Carrying a firearm Under the Influence in Michigan is a serious offense. Below is a link to the Michigan State Police website that explains what the BAC thresholds are consequences. If you or someone you know, has been arrested for carrying a firearm Under the Influence in Michigan, you need to contact a good reputable Michigan Firearm Defense Attorney to help you defend your charges appropriately.
https://www.michigan.gov/msp/0,4643,7-123-1878_1591_3503_4654-10961–,00.html
When will Michigan law consider me an Adult?
You may ask yourself, when will Michigan law consider me an Adult? In Michigan when you turn 18, an age established by The Age of Majority Act. However, other ages can be important depending on what legal issues are involved. To learn more, click on the article below provided by Michigan Health and Human Services.
https://www.michigan.gov/fyit/0,4585,7-240-44299-160950–,00.html
Arrested for Disorderly Conduct in Michigan
Being arrested for Disorderly Conduct in Michigan (MCL 750.167) if convicted is a Misdemeanor punishable by up to 93 days in county jail and/or probation + a hefty fine and court costs.
- The city of Royal Oak, Michigan defines Disorderly Conduct in 278.35
- The city of Mt. Clemens, Michigan defines Disorderly Conduct in 20.001 – Sec 1
Also under Michigan law, there is also a Disorderly Persons offense (MCL 750.168) which is a catch-all for several offenses in Michigan.
Being convicted of Disorderly Conductor Disorderly Persons will result in a criminal record. If you had a prior charge for being “disorderly” and as a result, the prosecutor, judge, and probation officer view it as “contact” with the criminal justice system. Any contact(s) with the courts and/or the cops are not good. They suggest that the person has a propensity for getting in trouble, and if they didn’t learn the first time, then they obviously need a more severe consequence.
Depending on your circumstances it may be possible to get these charges completely dropped, preserving you from getting a permanent criminal record. Because these offenses are so common, and subjectively applied, it is VERY IMPORTANT to have a skilled and knowledgeable Michigan disorderly conduct defense attorney to represent you.
Michigan Retail Fraud (shoplifting)
Michigan Retail Fraud (shoplifting), penalties are serious for anyone accused of stealing an item from a retail store could land you in jail.
If you steal from a retail store or even attempts to steal from a store, you are guilty of shoplifting. If you even move an item, and employees or store security suspects you intended to steal the item, you could be found guilty of retail fraud. Even switching price tags on merchandise to pay less for an item is also a form of shoplifting. Any of these offenses could earn you a criminal conviction and could result in jail time and fines.
The consequences of being found guilty of Michigan Retail Fraud (shoplifting) are very serious as outlined in the Michigan Legislature penal code listed below:
- Michigan Retail Fraud in 2nd or 3rd degree: http://bit.ly/2G92epQ
- Michigan Retail Fraud in 1st degree: http://bit.ly/2G7W8WJ
If you are charged with Michigan Retail Fraud (shoplifting), whether it is a misdemeanor or felony offense, depending on the circumstances, you’ll want to get a knowledgeable defense lawyer that will either fight for an acquittal at trial or focus on minimizing the consequences of a conviction.
Resisting Arrest in Michigan
Been charged with Resisting Arrest in Michigan for the very first time, this doesn’t make you a criminal or a bad person. It’s quite common that a good person will get themselves unfortunately into a bad situation, which results in them being charged with Resisting Arrest in Michigan.
According to Michigan Legislature Section 750.81d, assaulting, battering, resisting, obstructing, or opposing a person performing their legal duty is a felony criminal offense, which can result in both jail time and significant fines. The definition of “a person” as used in this statute includes state or local police, campus police, conservation officers, sheriffs, constables, peace officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, or search and rescue teams.
Any resistance or opposition could result in criminal charges, and this legislation is by no means limited to physical assault on an officer. If you have been charged with resisting arrest, you need to contact a Michigan Criminal Defense Attorney now to discuss your case and work through the best legal actions you can take. Mr. Steinberg is always available 24/7 for clients, and can immediately begin working to protect your rights.