Ann Arbor Criminal Defense Blog

Should I Take My Case to Trial? A criminal case can be resolved in one of two ways. The first way is through a plea or plea bargain. A plea bargain is where a person admits guilt to something in exchange for some sort of benefit in return. For example, a person charged with three…

After a DUI arrest most people want to know what penalties they face. Am I going to Jail? You are not likely going to jail for the standard first-offense DUI conviction. The most likely sentence will involve; Probation Fines and costs Community service Alcohol testing Alcoholics Anonymous meetings However, there are some courts (some Oakland…

One of the most frequent questions I receive from medical marijuana patients is whether they can drive and smoke. I’ll answer that questions and make a prediction about the future of smoking marijuana and driving. Can a medical marijuana patient drive after smoking? Yes, so long as the patient is not under the influence of…

Legal Marijuana in Michigan? Voters next year may decide whether Michigan legalizes marijuana. A potential ballot initiative in 2018 would do the following, which would make it legal to own and use marijuana in Michigan and not just for medical purposes only. The Highlights Persons 21 and over can use and possess marijuana. In public,…

Stimulants are one of seven categories of drugs that Drug Recognition Experts look for in a driving under the influence evaluation. This article discusses the effects and signs of stimulant drug use. The stimulant drugs include cocaine, methamphetamine, and amphetamines. Drug Recognition Experts are officers trained to determine if a driver is impaired by drugs.…

We often refer to a drinking and driving charge as a DUI, which stands for driving under the influence. The standard drinking and driving charge in Michigan is actually called operating while intoxicated. The key difference is the “driving” v. “operating” language. The courts have defined operating as more broad than just driving. Operating Defined…

Cannabinoids are one of seven categories of drugs that Drug Recognition Experts look for in a driving under the influence evaluation. This article discusses the effects and signs of cannabinoid drug use. The cannabinoid drugs include marijuana, hashish, and oils. Drug Recognition Experts are officers trained to determine if a driver is impaired by drugs.…

3 Steps to Get a Driver’s License Back Once you’ve lost your driver’s license it is neither fun nor easy to get it back. ArborYpsi Law can help guide you through the process to get your driver’s license back. Preparation for the hearing and appearing before the hearing officer is essential. This article will give…

Yes, there is no court rule or law that says you need a lawyer to represent you in a criminal case. However, there may be good reasons why you should have a lawyer represent you. Lawyers are Trained in the Law The law involves many rules of evidence, procedural rules, and statutory laws. Lawyers go…

Yes, a DUI conviction in Michigan will always be on your record. Any type of drunk driving conviction cannot be removed from your record. Expungement Law An expungement is the process for removing a criminal conviction off of your record. It’s called a motion to set aside a conviction. An expungement is a great tool…