Blanchard Law Blog | Grand Rapids Criminal Defense Attorney

June 13

Posted By: Keeley Blanchard
Posted In: Criminal Defense
Date: June 13, 2017
- 0
- 2475

Michigan Concealed Carry Law May Change

Right now, it is a five year felony to carry a concealed pistol in Michigan without a concealed pistol license. A pistol is considered concealed any time that it isn’t visible (e.g., under a coat or in a pocket). In Michigan, it is also considered concealed any time that it is in a motor veh...

April 29

Posted By: Keeley Blanchard
Posted In: Criminal Defense , Sex Crimes
Date: April 29, 2017
- 0
- 2094

A Winning Approach

Keeley Blanchard recently returned to Michigan from Boulder, Colorado, where she collaborated with fellow trial lawyer and Trial Lawyers College faculty member Jason Savela in trying a sexual assault case. Here’s what Keeley had to say after the client was acquitted on all charges: “It was a r...

May 16

Posted By: Keeley Blanchard
Posted In: Criminal Defense
Date: May 16, 2016
- 0
- 2658

Steps in the Michigan Criminal Process

STEPS IN THE CRIMINAL PROCESS IN MICHIGAN When a person is accused of committing a crime, the state of Michigan has a felony criminal process that must be followed. Michigan criminal defense attorneys are experienced in all phases of the criminal process and may be able to assist you in navigating t...

December 28

Posted By: Keeley Blanchard
Posted In: Civil Rights , Criminal Defense
Date: December 28, 2015
- 0
- 1763

Grand Rapids Police Department Beat Unarmed 15 Year Old Boy

The mother of a 15 year-old African-American Grand Rapids boy filed a lawsuit on December 23, 2015 in Federal Court in Grand Rapids against the City of Grand Rapids and police officers Sean McCamman, Nathan Mean, and Peter Thompson. The complaint alleges that during the early evening hours of June 1...

December 08

Posted By: Keeley Blanchard
Posted In: Criminal Defense , Sex Crimes
Date: December 8, 2015
- 0
- 1863

Online solicitation of undercover police officers.

Lately, I’ve been hearing of “To Catch A Predator” style police operations, where “undercover” police officers are posing as children while trolling online chat rooms and looking for people to catch talking dirty. The government has been charging this under MCL 750.145a which prohibits a...

December 07

Posted By: Keeley Blanchard
Posted In: Criminal Defense , Drugs
Date: December 7, 2015
- 0
- 1852

Should I work as a confidential informant?

Some times when a person is caught by a drug team or other police agency, the police will ask the person to work as a confidential informant or “snitch” in exchange for a reduction in charges. Whether you should act as a confidential informant is only a decision that you can make, but you should...

December 06

Posted By: Keeley Blanchard
Posted In: Uncategorized
Date: December 6, 2015
- 0
- 1859

Montcalm County Drunk Driving Defense

If you’re charged with drunk driving in Montcalm County, you’re either appearing in the 64B District Court or the 8th Circuit Court. The 64B District Court handles misdemeanor offenses (First or Second Offense Operating While Intoxicated). The 8th Circuit Court handles felony offenses (Third Off...

December 02

Posted By: Keeley Blanchard
Posted In: Criminal Defense , Philosophy
Date: December 2, 2015
- 0
- 4134

Does a jury have the right to nullify in Michigan?

Recently a man in Big Rapids was arrested after handing out pamphlets outside of a courthouse. Apparently the pamphlets were from the Fully Informed Jury Association and explained or advocated for jury nullification. Jury nullification occurs when a jury returns a verdict of “not guilty” des...

October 13

Posted By: Keeley Blanchard
Posted In: Criminal Defense
Date: October 13, 2015
- 0
- 1681

Grand Rapids Criminal Attorney Discusses Potential Domestic Violence Defenses

If you have been charged with domestic violence, it is recommended that you contact your Grand Rapids criminal attorney immediately to assist you with the charges. Domestic violence is a serious crime, and one that is taken seriously by the criminal justice system. Allegations are taken very seriou...

September 24

Posted By: Keeley Blanchard
Posted In: Criminal Defense
Date: September 24, 2015
- 0
- 1694

Is Marijuana Legal in Michigan? Our Michigan Marijuana Defense Lawyer Explains

In most cases, no. Despite this, marijuana usage is very common in our state, and Michigan marijuana defense lawyers routinely field questions from clients on a variety of marijuana-related issues. This is largely because of the confusing patchwork of federal and state laws that deal with the use,...