Blanchard Law Blog | Grand Rapids Criminal Defense Attorney

March 13

Posted By: Keeley Blanchard
Posted In: Uncategorized
Date: March 13, 2014
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Should You Testify at Your Criminal Trial?

If you have even the slightest doubt on whether you should testify at your criminal trial, don’t make a decision on your own. Discuss the issue with your Michigan criminal defense attorney, who will go over every advantage and disadvantage of testifying. Consider each point carefully to determine ...

March 12

Posted By: Keeley Blanchard
Posted In: CPS , Search & Seizure
Date: March 12, 2014
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Five Reasons Why the CPS Worker is not your Friend

A Child Protective Services investigator shows up at your door and wants to talk. They’re just there to investigate a complaint, they tell you, and of course they are expecting you to let them in, because you’ve got nothing to hide, right? Here’s why letting them get past your front door is no...

March 10

Posted By: Keeley Blanchard
Posted In: Criminal Defense , Search & Seizure
Date: March 10, 2014
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Top Five Things NOT to do When the Police Show Up with a Search Warrant

What should I do if the police show up with a warrant? Let’s face it, if the police are at your door with a warrant, you know that your life (and probably your house) is about to be turned upside down. The police suspect you of a crime, and they are searching for evidence to…...

March 08

Posted By: Keeley Blanchard
Posted In: CPS , Criminal Defense , Philosophy
Date: March 8, 2014
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Why does it cost so much to defend child abuse allegations?

As experienced Grand Rapids child abuse attorneys, we know that child abuse cases, when properly defended, can be some of the costliest cases for which to hire competent attorneys. We frequently consult with parents who are defending against cases of child abuse who are unhappy with the performance ...

March 07

Posted By: Keeley Blanchard
Posted In: Criminal Defense , Philosophy
Date: March 7, 2014
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How do criminal defense attorneys sleep at night?

One of the most frequent questions that I get from friends, family, and strangers when discussing my career as a criminal defense attorney is some variation of “how do you defend THOSE people?” or “how do you do what you do and sleep at night?” It’s a question I have come to dread, because...

March 06

Posted By: Keeley Blanchard
Posted In: Uncategorized
Date: March 6, 2014
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- 1917

Conditions of Release

If you have just been released following incarceration, a Grand Rapids criminal defense law office has information on what you should now expect. One of the conditions of your release will likely be your consent to searches. You may experience the following: Searches of your home; and Random body s...

March 05

Posted By: Keeley Blanchard
Posted In: Criminal Defense
Date: March 5, 2014
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- 2294

Intoxication as a defense to criminal charges.

Kerry Kennedy, daughter of the late Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and former wife of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, was recently acquitted in New York of the crime of impaired driving. It was alleged that she operated her motor vehicle while under the influence of a generic form of Ambien, a prescription ...

March 04

Posted By: Keeley Blanchard
Posted In: Criminal Defense , Sentencing Issues
Date: March 4, 2014
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MIP Diversion at Grand Valley State University

In Michigan, there is a statutory diversion program for people charged with being a minor in possession of alcohol. The diversion statute which can be used by GVSU students is found at MCL 436.1703(3). It provides in relevant part: When an individual who has not previously been convicted of or r...

March 03

Posted By: Keeley Blanchard
Posted In: Philosophy
Date: March 3, 2014
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Where is the line for the criminal defense attorney?

There’s an interesting discussion going on in the “blawg-o-sphere”. I don’t normally chime in — in fact, I never have chimed in on blog debates about criminal defense. However, this is an issue that bothers me because I am seeing more and more people masquerading as lawyers who take money ...

March 03

Posted By: Keeley Blanchard
Posted In: Philosophy
Date: March 3, 2014
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- 1708

Top 10 Mistakes People Make When Hiring a Criminal Defense Attorney

So you or a loved one is in a position you never thought you would need: you need to find a Michigan criminal defense attorney and you need to do it quickly. Here are some of the top mistakes we see clients make when hiring a criminal defense attorney in Michigan. 1) HIRING YOUR UNCLE’S…...