Criminal Defense Lawyer in Grand Rapids | Criminal Defense Blog

March 05

Posted By: Keeley Blanchard
Posted In: Criminal Defense
Date: March 5, 2014
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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 02

Posted By: Keeley Blanchard
Posted In: Criminal Defense , Philosophy
Date: March 2, 2014
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Effectively defending criminal charges requires work.

One of the things that makes us successful Michigan criminal defense attorneys is the fact that we complete thorough investigations, and don’t merely rely on the police reports and discovery provided by prosecutors in determining the facts of the case. In these investigations, one of the most impo...

March 01

Posted By: Keeley Blanchard
Posted In: Criminal Defense
Date: March 1, 2014
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Criminal Process in Michigan: Pre-trial & Trial

PRETRIAL NEGOTIATIONS During this phase of the process, the defense may file any of a number of motions requesting the court to dismiss the case or suppress evidence prior to trial. A Michigan criminal defense attorney may file a Motion to Quash which is when the defendant alleges that the district ...

February 26

Posted By: Keeley Blanchard
Posted In: Criminal Defense
Date: February 26, 2014
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Criminal Process in Michigan: Arrest and Arraignment

When a person is accused of committing a crime, the state of Michigan has a felony criminal process that must be followed. Grand rapids criminal defense attorneys are experienced in all phases of the criminal process and may be able to assist you in navigating these complex procedures. INVESTIGATION...

February 17

Posted By: Keeley Blanchard
Posted In: Criminal Defense
Date: February 17, 2014
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- 2798

Is Domestic Violence a felony in Michigan?

The Grand Rapids Domestic Violence Attorneys at Blanchard Law usually see prosecutors charge domestic violence as a misdemeanor. However, it can be charged as a felony, depending on the facts of the case. If you have been accused of domestic violence in Michigan, you should contact a reputable domes...

February 13

Posted By: Keeley Blanchard
Posted In: Criminal Defense , Philosophy
Date: February 13, 2014
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The Michigan legislature is trying to eliminate a citizen’s right to a complete defense.

Our lawyers are true believers in the idea that the adversarial process finds the truth. The more we can uncover in the court process, the more likely we are to find the truth about what happened. Some of the best truth-seeking occurs when witnesses are asked questions under oath and subject to cros...

February 13

Posted By: Keeley Blanchard
Posted In: Criminal Defense , Search & Seizure
Date: February 13, 2014
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The police lied in the search warrant

Recently, we were able to obtain a dismissal of charges in a serious felony drug case because the regional drug team (BAYANET) lied in the search warrant affidavit. In this case, the police alleged that they used a helicopter to fly over the target house and viewed it with a FLIR (forward looking in...

February 12

Posted By: Keeley Blanchard
Posted In: Criminal Defense
Date: February 12, 2014
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The prosecution can’t use statements made during plea negotiations against you.

Today, the Michigan Court of Appeals released an opinion in People v Mantrease Datrell Smart (COA No. 314980), which held that statements made during plea negotiations are not later admissible against a criminal defendant. While most attorneys did not seriously doubt that this was the law, the Gen...

February 11

Posted By: Keeley Blanchard
Posted In: Criminal Defense , Sentencing Issues
Date: February 11, 2014
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Is the prosecutor trying to use your prior criminal history against you?

Whether it is as a habitual offender notice or in scoring the sentencing guidelines, the prosecution will frequently attempt to use prior criminal convictions to increase the penalty in a new case. If you weren’t represented by an attorney and did not validly waive your right to counsel, you may b...