Ann Arbor Criminal Defense Blog

The future is not that far away and self-driving or autonomous cars may one day be the norm. Tesla has already created a self-driving car. Recently in California, a driver was cited for a DUI when he was arrested in his Tesla self-driving car. What Does ‘Operating’ in Operating While Intoxicated Mean? The answer to…

A bench trial is a trial in which a judge and not a jury decides whether a person is innocent or guilty. Jury Trial v. Bench Trial In general, most trials are jury trials. In misdemeanor cases, a jury is made up of 6 people. In felony cases, a jury is made up of 12…

The police will often find drugs on a person but won’t see them in the act of selling the drugs. You can still be charged with a crime called possession with intent to deliver (sell) those drugs. What does possession with intent to deliver mean? Possession with intent to deliver is the term meaning a…

There are several common questions I get when called about a criminal matter. I’ll try to address them with my standard answers here. How Much Does it Cost to Retain You? People often ask me what my rate or retainer is. The answer is that I don’t have a set rate. There are a lot…

A new proposed Michigan law would make it a crime to sell nitrous oxide gas to someone for the purpose of getting high. The law was introduced as a House Bill. The actual language is sale of nitrous oxide “for the purpose of causing a condition of intoxication, euphoria, excitement, exhilaration, stupefaction, or dulling of…

A Hardship Appeal is a way to keep driving after losing your license to an implied consent suspension. Chemical Tests in DWI Cases When arrested for driving while intoxicated, a police officer will ask you to take a chemical test, either a blood or breath test. This is not the preliminary breath test (PBT) at…

In the Court of Appeals case of People v. James, the Court decides whether a marijuana conviction under 7411 counts as a misdemeanor for the purposes of felony sentencing. By law, a drug conviction under 7411 does not count as a misdemeanor to be scored for felony sentencing. This is because the conviction is not…

In Michigan, a person sentenced to prison for a felony conviction may attend boot camp, known as special alternatives to incarceration. Not everyone is eligible for boot camp, however. A person is ineligible for any of the following reasons; There is a habitual offender notice and the notice has not or will not be dismissed.…

A new probation law goes into effect this year that will limit judge’s ability to create long sentences for “technical” probation violations. The New Law A person who commits a technical probation violation may only be sentenced up to 30 days in jail. Following the jail sentence the probation may return to probation. Multiple probation…

Drinking and guns don’t mix. Having a bodily alcohol content while carrying your gun can lead to a suspension or revocation of a concealed pistol license, depending on your BAC. Study the law in advance and avoid losing your CPL. The Law It is against the law to do any of the following: Carrying a…