Posts Tagged ‘Criminal Defense Attorney in Michigan’

MI Criminal Charges – Failure to Disclose Lands Michigan HIV-Positive Woman Behind Bars

Monday, August 16th, 2010

As the HIV virus continued to spread during the 1980s and 1990s, 32 states (including Michigan) passed legislation dealing specifically  with the disease. Since that time, criminal defense lawyers in Michigan have represented several inflicted persons in court for somehow spreading the virus to others. If convicted of the bio-hazardous charges against them,  suspects can face substantial consequences including jail time. Such is the case of a Michigan woman, sentenced to time behind bars for failing to share her medical condition when legally required.

Police arrested the 54 year-old Michigan woman after her previous sexual partner reported her, stating that she failed to tell him that she was HIV positive. From June 2009 to January 2010, the man had intercourse with the suspect at least six times, but stopped the relationship once he discovered that she was infected with the virus. Pleading no contest to the charges against her, the woman was sentenced to serve 11 months in jail for her actions.

According to the 1998 Michigan Disclosure Law, it is illegal for an HIV positive person to engage knowingly in sexual intercourse without disclosing their medical condition to their partner first. While the state has other laws regarding the transmission of dangerous diseases, the spread of HIV is the only one considered a felony.

Despite the legislation’s good intentions, many experts believe that the law could be abused, and is unbalanced. For example, sharing needles without disclosure is not criminalized by the state of Michigan, even though this is the most common form of transmission. However, sharing a sex toy without disclosure is illegal, although such a case has never been reported. The Obama Administration also recognized the imbalance, issuing the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, designed to review and change or repeal HIV-specific criminal laws across the country. According to the strategy outline, “the continued existence and enforcement of these types of laws run counter to scientific evidence about routes of HIV transmission and may underline the public health goals of promoting HIV screening and treatment.”

Even though efforts have been made to change the legislation devoted to the HIV/AIDS virus, numerous failure to disclose laws remain in place across the country. Those accused of such charges face numerous consequences, as both a person’s freedom and reputation are at risk. To protect yourself from the serious repercussions associated with disclosure laws, it is essential to contact knowledgeable criminal defense attorneys in Michigan. Using the best legal advice and legal representation, aggressive trial lawyers will work to ensure that criminal charges do not follow you for life.

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

MI Violent Crimes – Task Force Fights Michigan Gang Violence in Muskegon

Wednesday, July 28th, 2010

Getting into a physical fight with another person can catch any law enforcement official’s attention. However, police officers will become instantly more concerned with (and likely to arrest) fight participants if they believe that the individuals are members of a violent street gang. Small towns are not exempt from gang activity! Violent street gangs exist in small and large cities across the country. Ask any experienced criminal defense lawyer in Michigan- – there is the potential that the Courts and Prosecution will look less favorably on a known gang member.

Gang violence in Michigan is an escalating problem. Recently, a fight in Muskegon turned violent resulting in the serious injury of two participants and the death of one. During the investigation, witnesses told law enforcement officials that the gun battle was the result of local gang rivalry. This may not be an unfounded claim. There have been several acts of violence in the area including an attack where a 20 year-old was shot in the stomach and wrist.

Law enforcement officials are still attempting to determine if street gangs are behind the attacks. According to reports from law enforcement officials, they have received several tips from residents and are in the process of following up on those leads. In the mean time, police officers from around the Muskegon area including the Michigan State Police have come together to form a task force, determined to fight against alleged gang activity in local neighborhoods.

The consequences to people accused of gang related violent crimes can be extremely serious. To protect yourself when wrongfully accused of gang violence, it is essential to promptly seek the best legal defense available. By contacting knowledgeable and hard-working criminal defense attorneys in Michigan, you will receive superior legal advice and legal representation designed to protect your personal freedoms and liberties.

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Posted in Assault Charges, Felony Crimes, For Your Information, Local Crimes | 1 Comment »

MI Drug Charges – Detroit Man Arrested For Marijuana Possession at Allegheny Township Hotel

Friday, July 16th, 2010

If law enforcement officials approach you regarding controlled substances, you should be very afraid. Distributing or possessing illicit drugs is illegal according to federal law and can land the suspect in a great deal of trouble. Although Michigan voters enacted legislation in 2008 providing for medicinal marijuana use, recreational use of the drug for those without clearance cards is still against the law. Ask any experienced criminal defense attorney in Michigan–the consequences for drug crimes can be harsh, including fines and long jail sentences.

Such an example is seen in a recent case where law enforcement officials arrested a Detroit man on drug charges in Michigan after discovering that he was in possession of marijuana in a Allegheny Township hotel.

On July 15th, employees of Plank Road hotel noticed two small children wandering around the halls of the building in search of their parents. Hotel workers phoned law enforcement officials who began the search for the boys father, whom they only knew by “Larry.” When their room was finally located, police searched the room to find an undisclosed amount of marijuana, as well as $3,350 in cash. While the investigation was being conducted, the suspect and the boys’ father Larry M. Johnson, 27, stood outside the room. It was later discovered by police that he also had another $2,009 in cash and a digital scale in his pockets.

Following the police search of the hotel room, officers arrested Johnson for numerous criminal charges including: possession with intent to deliver, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, as well as endangering the welfare of children charges.  Instead of paying the $20,000 bond held against him, Johnson is being held in the Blair County Prison awaiting a preliminary hearing on July 22nd. If he is eventually convicted of the charges against him, he will ultimately be subjected to several harsh punishments such as substantial fines, probation, and jail time.

As seen by the example of Larry Johnson, a Michigan drug arrest is no laughing matter. Being found in possession of illegal controlled substances, such as marijuana, will prompt your arrest and the restriction of your personal freedoms. To protect yourself from the negative consequences of drug charges, a suspect must be proactive in seeking the best legal defense possible for their case. Contacting a knowledgeable and experienced criminal defense attorney in Michigan ensures that superior legal advice and legal representation is used to protect your rights and liberties, keeping you out of jail and in the clear.

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Posted in Drug Crimes, Local Crimes | No Comments »

MI Murder Charges – Accused of Murdering Finance and 3 Year-Old, Michigan Man Goes to Trial

Thursday, July 15th, 2010

In the state of Michigan, being convicted of a criminal charge will change your life forever. The consequences will significantly limit your personal freedoms, often resulting in fines, probation, and likely jail time. However, any experienced criminal defense lawyer in Michigan will tell you that the penalties will significantly increase if the accused is a repeat offender. The court system is less likely to be sympathetic towards the defendant fs cause, or optimistic that the person has learned their lesson.

According to The Detroit News, Todd Pink is an example of just such a person. Records from the Michigan Department of Corrections show that he has a criminal record dating back to 1998, and is on probation until 2011. Although the news source did not disclose what offenses he was previously convicted of, Pink is currently facing allegations of first-degree murder charges in Michigan, along with 14 other felony counts.

The most recent incident occurred in May 2010 after Pink attended the Downtown Hoedown with his fiancee f, 35 year-old Carrie Seils and her children. For an unknown reason, an intoxicated Pink became agitated during the event, and engaged in a heated argument with Seils upon returning home. The confrontation became so serious, that the suspect allegedly went into the house and returned with a gun. Police reports state that he attacked his fiancee, and stabbed her three year-old son Skylar to death. Pink is also accused of stabbing Seils’ five year-old daughter Heavyn, as well as a family friend and boarder who was in the house at the time.

On Monday, Pink stood before the Clinton Township District Court, where he was ordered to remain in custody without bond before arraignment scheduled for July 26th. Should he be convicted of the serious criminal charges against him, Pink’s life will change forever. The court is likely to take his previous criminal history into account. Conviction of these charges will undoubtedly bring a significant jail sentence with little chance for parole.

The example of Todd Pink highlights how serious being accused of criminal charges is. Conviction of one, let alone numerous, violations will bring increasingly harsher punishments that will seriously limit the defendant fs personal freedoms and liberties. Because the consequences are so severe, it is essential to be pro-active in obtaining the best legal defense available for your case. Contacting knowledgeable and aggressive criminal defense attorneys in Michigan will ensure that you receive top-notch legal advice and legal representation, designed to clear your name and keep you out of jail.

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Posted in Felony Crimes, Local Crimes, Murder Arrest, Violation of Probation | No Comments »

Probation Violation – Convicted Sex Offender Arrested After Taking Children to See Toy Story 3

Monday, July 12th, 2010

If law enforcement officials approach you with questions about sexual offenses, you should be very concerned. Conviction of a sex crime will have life-changing consequences, including required participation in the state Sex Offender Registry for 25 years and almost certainly a significant period behind bars. If the crime was committed against a minor, the sex offender will likely also be prohibited from interacting with young children or going into public venues were kids are present. Any sex crime defense lawyer in Michigan can verify: even accidentally violating the terms of probation can bring problems on a person.

For example, Michigan resident Michael Keeler, 46, took his family to see the popular summer film, “Toy Story 3.” Although taking one’s children to see a G-rated movie seems like a perfectly harmless activity, Keeler is legally not allowed to go see a children’s movie. After being convicted in May 2008 of second-degree criminal sexual conduct in Michigan involving a person under 13, he was sentenced to serve five years probation. Part of the terms stated that Keeler is not allowed to go within 1,000 feet of any location where there are large numbers of people, aged 17 and younger.

Law enforcement officials were alerted to the infraction after the electronic tether he was wearing showed his position. Following the film, police arrested Keeler and the suspect pled guilty to probation violation in Michigan. As a result, the court ordered him to serve 90 days house arrest. It is also possible that the terms of his current probationary period will be either enhanced or extended as a result.

The defense attorney in Michigan for Keeler maintains that he was simply just trying to be a good father by taking his children to see the popular film. However, at the same time, he lost sight of his responsibility to the community to act within the terms of his probation.

As seen by the example of Michael Keeler, being convicted of a sex crime will haunt you for years. Not only are you required to register on public sex offender lists or wear electronic monitoring tethers, but the terms of probation will prevent the convicted from going anywhere they please–a right not to be taken for granted. In order to protect the valuable personal freedoms enjoyed, as well as your livelihood and reputation, it is essential to pro-actively search for superior legal defense for your case. Seeking an experienced and aggressive criminal defense attorney in Michigan will give you the best possible chance that charges against you do not restrict your life, allowing you to live and work as you would normally–not subject you to jail time or house arrest.

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Posted in For Your Information, Local Crimes, Sex Offender Registry, Sexual Offenses, Violation of Probation | No Comments »