Posts Tagged ‘Criminal Attorneys in Michigan’

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MI Criminal Charges – KMart Dragging Death Case Goes to Trial in Michigan Court

Friday, December 10th, 2010

It is likely that a top criminal lawyer in Michigan has represented numerous defendants arrested after a failed shoplifting heist. In Michigan, shoplifting is often called retail fraud. Sometimes, the suspects are only accused of property theft, which in itself can bring serious legal consequences. However, if the attempt to take merchandise results in the personal injury or death of another person, particularly a police officer or security guard, the punishments can prove to be much more severe. These exact circumstances can be seen in a recent case where two Michigan residents are being held in the dragging death of a store security officer who was attempting to stop the suspects from stealing.

According to law enforcement officials, James Woolworth, 39, and Samantha Lambency, 20, attempted to rob a Waterford Township K-MART for merchandise in 2010. Because the two are both known substance abusers, police in Oakland County believe that they stole compact discs valued at $400 to supply their drug habits. Witnesses stated that Woolworth fled to a waiting truck driven by Lambency.

In an effort to prevent the two from leaving the scene, security guard Greg Wainio held the car door open with one hand and grabbed the vehicle with the other. Shortly after speeding off, the car hit two pillars in the parking lot, ultimately crushing Wainio between the car and the door. The former parole officer was dragged approximately 200 feet before he fell from the car and the two suspects fled the scene. Law enforcement officials shortly caught up with Woolworth and Lambency and arrested them both on unarmed robbery and murder charges in Michigan.

Additionally, Lambency is being charged with being an unlicensed driver causing death. This, like the other charges is a felony and carries significant consequences for those convicted, including lengthy prison or jail sentences.
Unfortunately, both of the suspects have previous history involving police and the courts. In March 2009, Woolworth was paroled from prison on an armed robbery conviction. His criminal record spans over three states, including Michigan. Lambency on the other hand, dropped out of high school in the 10th grade and is an admitted heroin addict. Because of her substance abuse problem, she lost custody of her 15-month-old daughter, as Children’s Protective Services deemed her unfit to be a parent.

The case described above serves as a perfect example of how serious criminal charges can be, especially when involving the injury or death of another person. In addition to fines and a ruined reputation, conviction will likely result in a lengthy jail or prison sentence. To protect yourself against these life-changing consequences, it is essential to seek the help of the best criminal lawyer in Michigan. Doing so immediately is the first step to making sure that your case receives the necessary legal advice and legal representation, working to keep you at home with your family, not behind bars.

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Posted in Armed Robbery Charges, Felony Crimes, Local Crimes, Murder Arrest, Theft Charges | No Comments »

MI Criminal Charges – Michigan Couple Arrested After Pit Bulls Attacked Young Girl

Wednesday, December 1st, 2010

Just as parents are responsible for the actions of their children, pet owners can also be held accountable for their animal’s behavior. One does not have to be a top criminal lawyer in Michigan to know that house pets, particularly dogs, can land owners in hot water. If the animal attacks a person causing bodily harm, the owner could be subject to criminal charges resulting in significant consequences, such as jail time. Michigan also has tough strict liability civil laws dealing with dog bites.

An example of this was seen recently when police arrested the owners of three pit bulls who attacked a young girl, causing immense injury to her. Tyah Norris, 6, frequently visited the home of Brian Nace, 35, and Jasmine Bailey, 19, to play with the couple’s niece. However, during a recent trip, she was mauled by dogs in their fenced backyard. According to a University of Michigan Hospital spokeswoman, Norris’ injuries required more than 500 stitches, landing her in serious condition.

According to relatives of Nace, the animals in question were not previously violent and had been around other children in the past without problems. On that day, adults in the home instructed Norris not to go into the backyard, which is decorated with “Beware of Dogs” and “No Trespassing” signs. Despite this, law enforcement officials and prosecutors have placed blame on Nace and Bailey, arresting them for criminal charges of keeping a dangerous animal that caused personal injury.

Michigan law defines a “dangerous animal” as one that bites or attacks a person or another animal, causing serious personal injury or death, while on the property or under control of its owner. However, the law does not recognize an animal to be dangerous if it attacks while provoked, tormented or when a person is trespassing on private property.
Nace and Bailey were due in court and facing serious consequences if convicted. In addition to a $2,000 fine and the euthanization of their dogs, the couple may be required to complete 500 hours of community service and spend a maximum of four years behind bars – despite their best efforts to keep the young girl away from the animals.

As seen by this example, an adult in a home can be held liable for the actions of animals living in the home. This shows how important it is to keep a close eye on your pets while visitors are around, to prevent unexpected attacks that could land you in legal trouble. If such a situation occurs in your home, it is essential to proactively seek knowledgeable and aggressive Michigan defense attorneys. Doing so immediately will ensure the legal advice and legal representation needed to protect not only yourself, but the animals living in your home.

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Posted in For Your Information, Local Crimes, Michigan State Law | No Comments »

Michigan Law – Detroit Council Removes “Criminal” Box on Job Applications

Monday, November 1st, 2010

Being convicted of any criminal charge is a life-changing experience for anyone to go through. Regardless of the crime committed, punishment can include fines, probation, and jail time. However, any criminal lawyer in Michigan can attest to the fact that the consequences of a conviction do not end with the sentence. Even after completing one’s sentence and terminating probation, a convicted person can be forced to disclose their criminal history to others, particularly when applying for a job.

In cities across the state of Michigan, many rehabilitated felons are left disheartened and unemployed after being required to explain their run-ins with the law on their job application. Criminal check boxes are standard throughout the nation, asking applicants to note any misdemeanor or felony charge of which they have been previously convicted. Often times, this will prevent an individual from receiving employment, ultimately making their reintegration in society much harder. It is standard practice today for employers to run criminal background check on their employees from time to time. When a conviction is noted on a LEIN (Law Enforcement Information Network) or CCH (Computerized Criminal History) reports, employees who did not report the conviction at the time of hire are often fired for their failure to disclose.

On average, 10,000 felony convicts return to the Detroit area after completing their assigned jail sentences each year. For these people, finding a job has proven increasingly difficult–immediately disclosing their criminal history almost automatically disqualifies them. While there is no law in the city of Detroit that bans felons from gaining employment, this information certainly influences the decisions made by interviewers.

In response to this problem, some municipalities have removed questions regarding criminal history off city job applications. On September 28th, the Detroit City Council joined them, after unanimously voting to lift barriers preventing ex-cons from gaining employment after rehabilitation. Instead, questions regarding one’s criminal past will be moved to later in the interview process. This ultimately allows an employer to figure out if the person is qualified for the position, instead of immediately concentrating directly on their previous legal troubles.

Supporters of the “Ban the Box” coalition state that the change will help equalize the playing field for those returning from incarceration on felony crimes. Additionally, the measure will likely assist the thousands of Michigan residents coming to Detroit who have been convicted of felonies, but never served time behind bars. “By removing the question from many job applications in Detroit, it will really give people an opportunity to get their foot in the door, to have a job interview,” explained Councilman Kenneth Cockrel Jr. “We don’t want people to pay forever for a crime they committed in some decades ago.”

One does not have to be a convicted felon to know that any criminal charge can haunt a person forever. After completing the rehabilitation process, an ex-con faces the daunting task of reintegrating themselves in society. In addition to the social stigmas that one will undoubtedly face, many roadblocks can prevent a person from establishing themselves as a law-abiding and productive citizen. Fortunately, concerned citizens, activists, and city officials are taking steps to assist convicted felons gain employment, truly completing the rehabilitation process.

To avoid the life-changing consequences associated with criminal charges, it is important to seek experienced and knowledgeable criminal attorneys in Michigan for assistance. Doing so immediately will ensure the best legal advice and legal representation, which is essential to keeping you at work and at home with your family, not behind bars.

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Posted in Felony Crimes, For Your Information, Local Crimes, Michigan State Law | No Comments »

MI Fraud Charges – Attempting to Cash Fraudulent Check Lands Michigan Man in Police Custody

Monday, September 13th, 2010

In previous years, tracking fraud schemes has proven to be a challenge for law enforcement officials. However, innovations in technology have allowed investigators to discover and crack down on more white collar crimes, ultimately leading to even more individuals facing life-changing accusations.  Experienced criminal lawyers in Michigan see first hand how detrimental a fraud conviction can be, almost certainly resulting in stiff fines and tough jail sentences. Such an example is seen in the recent case of a Michigan man arrested by police after trying to cash a fraudulent check at several area banks.

On September 2nd, a 29 year-old Canton man entered a Chase Bank in Grand Blanc Township with the intentions of cashing a check. While this is normally a common, everyday process, bank tellers easily discovered that the check was fraudulent and refused to cash it for him. According to the police report, Chase Bank employees proceeded to phone other branches in the area, alerting them that he might attempt to cash the check at their locations.

Only a few hours later, the suspicions of bank officials were confirmed. The same man entered another Chase Bank location in the area and tried to cash the same check. When police approached him, the suspect pushed an officer and ran out of the bank.  After a brief confrontation with police, the man gave up when officials pointed a Taser at him. Law enforcement placed the suspect under arrest and took him to the Grand Blanc County jail, where he is being held on fraud charges in Michigan.

If convicted of the white collar crime of which he is accused, this Canton man will face serious legal and personal consequences. Not only will stiff fines be imposed, but it is also possible that he will receive a lengthy jail sentence. Because the punishments for fraud crimes are so severe, it is essential to contact hard-working and trustworthy criminal attorneys in Michigan for assistance. Acting quickly can ensure the best legal advice and legal representation for your case, preventing the serious charges against you from changing your life forever.

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Posted in For Your Information, Fraud Crimes, Local Crimes, White Collar Crimes | 2 Comments »

MI Drug Charges – Michigan Motorist Aided By Police, Only To Be Arrested For Drug Possession

Wednesday, September 8th, 2010

If law enforcement officials witness a car pulled over to the side of the road, their first inclination is to assist the motorist. However, should the police believe that the person has something to hide,  their helpful intentions could turn from assisting to investigating.  Any criminal lawyers in Michigan will warn you: a routine traffic stop can easily turn into arrest if the police believe that the motorist is acting unlawfully. Such are the circumstances in a recent case where officers arrested a Michigan man after discovering illegal drugs in his vehicle.

Law enforcement officials from Van Buren County spotted a 26 year-old man struggling with his vehicle at the Brandywine Lake public access. The officers stopped to assist the motorist with his car troubles, but immediately noticed that he was “acting extremely nervous.” His strange behavior suggested to police that he was in possession of some unlawful materials. The motorist granted his permission for the deputies to investigate the car, where they located various illegal narcotics including three grams of methamphetamine and six boxes of pseudoephedrine, as well as drug paraphernalia.

Van Buren County sheriff’s deputies immediately arrested the driver for drug charges in Michigan, specifically possession of meth and meth components. As a schedule 1 drug, those caught in possession of methamphetamine will face serious legal consequences, including stiff fines, probation, and even jail time.

Many individuals caught in possession of illegal substances and narcotics are often addicted to the drugs, willing to do anything to use. Unfortunately, the legal system tends to incarcerate these individuals where their addictions will only grow more intense, ultimately making their chances of becoming a repeat offender much higher. Instead of jail time, substance abusers need rehabilitation to appropriately defeat their addictions. This will not only ensure that the person does not relapse, but also that they do not cross paths with the law for a second time.

To fight for the right to rehabilitation over incarceration, one needs to pro-actively secure the best legal defense for their case. By contacting knowledgeable and hard-working criminal attorneys in Michigan, a defendant will receive the highest quality legal advice and legal representation, designed to guide you through the complex process. Taking this step is the first in ensuring that you receive the rehabilitation necessary for recovery, while still maintaining your personal freedoms and liberties.

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Posted in Drug Crimes, Local Crimes | 2 Comments »

MI Legal Matters – Attorney Generals Across US Successful in Censoring Craigslist

Wednesday, September 8th, 2010

Modern technology has provided people with the ability to communicate with others around the world through the Internet. While there are various uses for the online world, not all web surfers are acting lawfully. Just ask any experienced criminal lawyer in Michigan, who has undoubtedly represented several individuals in recent years for computer and Internet crimes.

The existence of a free, accessible, unfiltered, and unauthenticated network has changed the world entirely. Now, people can easily shop online, or keep in touch with friends and family half way across the world. However, as approximately five billion people regularly use the Internet, it is inevitable that some illegal activity will take place.

To combat this, law enforcement and public officials nationwide are taking a firm stance against websites that are often hosts to questionable content. The most recent target is Craigslist, an online forum where users may post advertisements for anything from cars, jobs, and housing. Previously included on the website was an “Adult Services” category, which thousands of consenting individuals used to connect with others to engage in romantic or sexual relationships.

While most of these postings were perfectly legal, some cases of sex trafficking and child abuse on Craigslist have been reported. Consequently, 17 Attorney Generals across the country (including Mike Cox of Michigan) sent a request to the website that they removed the adult services section, as they believed that it paved the way for the “victimization of children” online.

This is not the first time that Craigslist has been directly attacked by law makers. For years, the owners of the website have been under immense pressure to curb illegal postings. Relentless political badgering prompted Craigslist owners to take down the infamous “erotic services” section, charge $10 per posting in adult services, and manually moderate each posting individually. Despite this, people continued to use the popular website for commission of child abuse and sex crimes. This can hardly seem out-of-the-ordinary, however, as the sheer volume of user submissions makes it inevitable that some illegal postings are bound to slip through.

In response to the most recent letter from American Attorney Generals, Craigslist has again bowed to their demands by placing a “CENSORED” label over where the link used to be.

Although the website creators are clearly bowing to pressure from politicians, United States law prevents them from being held accountable for illegal activity conducted on their forum. According to the Communications Decency Act (Section 230) passed in 1996, “providers of interactive computer service” are immune from state criminal prosecution for unlawful content posted by others. Therefore, while prosecutors can go after those publishing the illegal postings, they are unable to prosecute the website itself, as long as Craigslist complies with governmental requests and removes all postings that are known to be unlawful.

Nonetheless, prosecutors have tried time and time again to hold websites accountable for their users.  However, Congress has repeatedly reaffirmed that websites do not have legal liability. In the 1997 case of Zeran v. America Online, Inc., the U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the protection was in place “to maintain the robust nature of Internet communication and, accordingly, to keep government interference in the medium to a minimum.”

In attacking Internet websites like Craigslist, prosecutors are ignoring Congress’ clear intent to stay away from the online world. By unsuccessfully prosecuting online forums and websites, investigators are wasting valuable time that could be better spent going after actual sex criminals. In fact, such “requests” from law enforcement officials hinder the First Amendment right of free speech, while concurrently encouraging dangerous criminals to move to shadier websites–ultimately making it increasingly difficult to find and prosecute the guilty parties.

As more illegal activity online is reported, computer and Internet crimes have moved to center stage. Those accused of computer and Internet crimes will face tougher consequences in front of less sympathetic juries, possibly resulting in serious fines, probation, or jail time. To protect your rights, it is essential to contact hard-working and experienced criminal attorneys in Michigan for assistance.  Doing so will be the first step in ensuring that your ability to speak and surf the web freely is protected.

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Posted in Child Abuse Cases, Computer Crimes, For Your Information, Local Crimes, Michigan State Law, Sexual Offenses | 3 Comments »

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