Do I Need a Lawyer for Misdemeanor Charges?

While misdemeanor crimes are less serious than felonies, the penalties for a conviction are still severe. A misdemeanor conviction can have a profound impact on your life, and your future. If you are facing misdemeanor charges in Michigan, don’t assume you do not need a lawyer and can handle the case on your own. You should seek advice and legal representation from an experienced criminal defense attorney.

Robert Elmen is a criminal defense attorney in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He can analyze your circumstances, provide advice and legal guidance to help you navigate the judicial process, and represent you in court. Attorney Elmen will independently investigate the charges against you and develop a defense strategy designed to win at trial or force the prosecutor to agree to a significant reduction in the severity of the charges or penalties you face.

If you are a facing misdemeanor charge in Michigan, contact Elmen Legal today to schedule a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation to discuss your situation.

What Are Misdemeanor Charges?

Michigan classifies crimes into three broad categories based on the severity of the offense and the penalties you face if convicted.

• Felonies are the most serious criminal offenses and are defined as “an offense for which the offender...may be punished by death, or by imprisonment in state prison.” If you are convicted of a felony and sentenced to prison time, your sentence will likely be served in a higher security prison instead of a local jail.
• Misdemeanors are less serious than felonies and are punishable by up to two years in a county jail and a fine of up to $1,000. Under Michigan law, any criminal law that does not specify a penalty is treated as a misdemeanor. If you are convicted of a misdemeanor and are required to serve time in jail, you will likely be placed in a local county jail instead of a higher-security prison.
• Infractions are the least serious type of criminal offense. A conviction for an infraction does not result in jail time and the punishment generally only involves paying a fine.

Michigan misdemeanor crimes are further divided into three classes:

• High Court Misdemeanors are handled similarly to felony charges but are usually prosecuted more leniently.
• One-year Misdemeanors are punishable by up to one year in county jail and a $1,000 fine. Most one-year misdemeanors are violations of state laws and are handled by county prosecutors.
• 93-day Misdemeanors are crimes that violate local ordinances. They are punishable by up to 93 days in jail and a fine of up to $500.

How a Misdemeanor Conviction Can Impact Your Life

A criminal conviction, even for a misdemeanor, can follow you for life. A misdemeanor conviction will appear on background checks and could affect your ability to get a good job or your admission to college or other higher education. You might experience difficulty obtaining certain professional licenses or getting a security clearance for some government positions.

A misdemeanor conviction can also affect your family life. For example, misdemeanor charges involving assault or domestic violence could affect child custody decisions or your ability to adopt a child. Depending on the type of misdemeanor offense, you could lose your driving privileges or your right to possess a firearm.

A Michigan misdemeanor lawyer can develop a sound defense strategy to minimize the impact and severity of the consequences the court might impose.

Do I Need a Lawyer for Misdemeanor Charges?

Many people make the mistake of thinking misdemeanor charges are minor and that they can handle them on their own. While misdemeanor charges are less serious than felonies, a misdemeanor conviction can still have a negative impact on your life and could jeopardize your future.

Attorney Elmen will take the charges against you seriously and fight for the least severe penalties in your case. He knows how to negotiate with the prosecutor, and can work to help you avoid jail time and minimize the consequences of the misdemeanor charges. Attorney Elmen will guide you through the complex legal process, be your advocate in court, and provide advice and guidance to help minimize the impact of the misdemeanor charges.

Contact a Michigan Misdemeanor Lawyer Today

Robert Elmen has years of experience representing people accused of crimes in Michigan. He can help you evaluate your options and fight to have the charges dropped or negotiate for diversion instead of jail time and hefty fines.

Call (734) 707-8915 or Contact Elmen Legal today to schedule a free, confidential, and no-obligation appointment to discuss your situation and how Attorney Elmen can help.