Did you know that getting an attorney involved before charges are authorized can potentially lead to charges not being authorized at all? A smart approach to your defense can be the difference in your case. It is important to seek the advice of an experienced criminal defense attorney if you are accused of the following crimes:

Drug Trafficking

Drug Trafficking involves the alleged sale and/or distribution of illegal narcotics. Drug trafficking cases can arise out of a single alleged drug transaction or can involve allegations of being part of an organized trafficking ring. Police conduct and misconduct in investigating drug trafficking cases can be very important to your defense. If investigators obtained evidence against you illegally, then you will need to present that information properly to a judge to see if that evidence can be used against you. Convictions for trafficking various drugs can lead to significant prison time in the state of Michigan.

Violent Crimes

Cases that involve injuries due to the alleged use of violence or weapons are among the most harshly treated by prosecutors and judges. Often times, these cases are decided on the testimony of both eyewitnesses and experts who give their professional opinions on medical reports and records. How your story is told can be the difference between guilt and innocence. Convictions for domestic violence, felonious assault, and felony firearm can easily lead to jail or prison time in the state of Michigan. 

Criminal Sexual Conduct (CSC)

Rape and other related sexual assaults in the state of Michigan are often charged under the Criminal Sexual Conduct statute. Factors that determine the severity of charges under the CSC statute include the age of the alleged victim, whether injuries were sustained, and whether the assault included penetration. Convictions for CSC can also result in required registry on the Michigan Sex Offender List.

White-Collar Crime

White-collar crime typically involves some sort of alleged theft that is committed in a non-violent way. This type of crime is typically committed by business professionals who abuse their positions of authority to illegally direct money to themselves. Alleged bribery of public officials, tax evasion, and money laundering are some of the most common types of white-collar crime. A conviction for a white-collar crime can result in hefty fines, restitution, as well as significant jail time.

Under the Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution, you have the right to counsel. The right to counsel basically states that if you are charged with a crime, you have the right to be represented by an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed to represent you at public expense. 

In order to determine if you qualify for a public defender, the judge will ask you a series of questions about your finances. If you qualify, then a judge will assign an attorney to help you. The right that is not included in the Sixth Amendment is the right to have the attorney that you choose. Once a judge appoints you an attorney, you typically don’t get to switch to another if you don’t see eye to eye with that attorney. That appointed attorney is your attorney unless you hire your own. 

The choice in hiring an attorney is among the most important that you can make in defending yourself against the power and resources of the government. The attorney who represents you does not have to be chosen by a judge; this attorney can be chosen by you.