When Michigan residents face criminal charges, they will soon realize that the police are not on their sides. Regardless of whether it is drunk driving, assault or other charges, the level to which the often devastating consequences of convictions can be limited will depend on the skill of the legal counsel retained by the accused person. It is not impossible to have penalties limited or even to have charges dismissed.
In October, Bay City officers attended to the scene of a single-vehicle accident. Their report stated that a 28-year-old woman, who had allegedly been speeding, landed in a ditch after losing control and going airborne. Court documents showed that her blood alcohol level was measured at .167 -- more than double the legal limit. She apparently suffered severe injuries and was set free on a personal recognizance bond.
Then, on May 9, the same woman's boyfriend called the police to their residence where he claimed she had assaulted him. The boyfriend's complaint stated that they argued after a night out and accused the woman of throwing plates at him, causing injuries. Police reported that she appeared intoxicated, and she denied the allegations. However, when she appeared in court recently, she pleaded guilty to impaired driving, domestic violence and retail fraud after a plea deal was reached in which several other charges were dismissed.
Every story has two sides, and when a Michigan resident is facing charges such as drunk driving or assault, he or she will certainly benefit from the services of an experienced criminal defense attorney. A lawyer will take the time to thoroughly investigate both sides of the story and develop a strategy to best protect the client's rights and limit the consequences. A skilled attorney may be able to negotiate with the prosecutors and reach a plea agreement that will be in the best interest of the client.
Source: mlive.com, "Bay City woman alleged to have thrown dishes at boyfriend, involved in drunken driving crash takes pleas", Cole Waterman, May 26, 2015