Clinton County Criminal Defense Attorney
TYPES OF CRIMINAL CHARGES IN CLINTON COUNTY
In Clinton County, and all over the state of Michigan there are two basic categories of criminal offenses: misdemeanors and felonies.
- Misdemeanor: is a criminal violation that can result in a sentence of up to one year in the Clinton County Jail if you are convicted.
- Felony: is a criminal violation that can result in a sentence of a minimum of one year in state prison. Felony convictions can lead to many years behind bars. Some capital offenses carry a life in prison maximum without the possibility of parole.
Since there is no death penalty in Michigan, a life sentence without the possibility of parole is the state’s most serious punishment. If you are facing a criminal charge in or around Clinton County, MI, then it is important to contact an experienced Clinton County criminal defense attorney for proper legal advice.
PROSECUTING AUTHORITIES IN CLINTON COUNTY
If you are being prosecuted for a criminal offense in Clinton County, there is one main prosecuting authority with who you may be dealing. The prosecutor in Clinton County can be located at:
- Clinton County Prosecutor’s Office: This office is operated by the state of Michigan and the current elected prosecutor for Clinton County is Tony Spagnuolo. All state misdemeanor charges and all state felonies that arise in Lansing are handled by the Clinton County Prosecutor’s Office. The Clinton County Prosecutor’s Office is located at:
- 100 E. State St. #3100
St. Johns, MI 48879
(989) 224-5260
It is not wise to speak to any prosecuting authority if you are facing a criminal charge. If you are facing criminal charges, then it is important to have an experienced criminal defense attorney help you communicate with the appropriate prosecutor’s office.
CLINTON COUNTY COURTS WHICH HEAR CRIMINAL CASES
Criminal cases in the Clinton County area are first heard in the Clinton County District Court:
- 65A District Court: This court only hears criminal cases that were alleged to have taken place in Clinton County.
If you are charged with a criminal felony, then your case will be sent to Clinton County Circuit Court if a prosecutor can prove probable cause to a district court judge that the charged criminal offense was committed, and that you committed the offense. If this happens, then the charge would be “bound over” and directed to the circuit court for all future proceedings. If your felony charge is bound over in the Lansing area, it would be directed to:
- 29th Circuit Court: This court only hears felony cases that were alleged to have taken place within Clinton County.
You will randomly be assigned one of three Circuit Court judges who will preside over your case until its completion. It is helpful to have a lawyer by your side that has plenty of experience in front of these judges to best understand what to expect to most effectively help you.
WHAT IF I HAVE SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ABOUT MY CASE?
If you are currently charged with a crime in or around Clinton County or think you might soon be, then it is important to speak to an experienced criminal defense attorney immediately. Finding websites such as this can be a great way to begin, but the information found on websites cannot substitute the specific advice of an experienced attorney. If you have specific questions about your potential or actual criminal charge, then the attorneys at Zeineh Law are available to help you now.
THE ZEINEH LAW DIFFERENCE
For a prosecutor to be successful, he or she must demonstrate beyond a reasonable doubt that you committed a criminal offense and that you had no valid defense for your action. Was there a sincere, honest mistake in what was alleged to have happened? Are you able to show that nothing illegal actually happened? To be most successful in your defense, your attorney should be able to answer these and many other questions. Simply stating that the prosecutor didn’t prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt might be considered effective by some law firms, not at Zeineh Law. At Zeineh Law we realize that running our own investigation from your point of view can the best way to answer all the necessary questions in organizing your defense. Just as a prosecutor will use his or her resources to build a criminal case against you, you can use your effort and resources to mount your defense in the same way. At Zeineh Law, we don’t limit your defense by simply trying to explain the prosecutor’s version of events. We defend cases by going on offense, by advancing your version of events based on evidence obtained in our private investigations. This way, a jury can actually decide on a specific alternative to the prosecutor’s case, and not just a “they didn’t prove it” approach.
ZEINEH LAW PROUDLY OFFERS A FREE CONSULTATION
If you are facing a criminal charge in or around Clinton County, MI, then it is important to speak to an experienced Clinton County criminal defense attorney immediately. At Zeineh Law, we are proud to offer FREE consultations to all prospective clients. If you are trying to decide which attorney to choose or are looking for an honest assessment of your criminal case, then our attorneys are available to help you now. Feel free to contact us anytime at (517) 292-7000 or by
email. Our advice is free, and our discussions will always be protected by the attorney-client privilege. Make your first choice towards freedom with a consultation with an experienced criminal defense attorney at Zeineh Law today.
