Our Results
Fighting for the Rights of the Accused
At Blanchard Law, we’ve helped many individuals in difficult circumstances achieve optimal results. Through thorough preparation, aggressive litigation, and skilled representation, we’ve helped our clients obtain not guilty verdicts, have their charges dismissed, and be acquitted of the accusations against them. Our firm is dedicated to assisting you through the legal process—no matter how complex or difficult your situation may be.
Contact us today at 616-773-2945 to speak to one of our Grand Rapids criminal defense attorneys about your case.
ACQUITTED
First Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct – Calhoun County: Our client was charged with nine counts of CSC1. Following a week long trial where Keeley and Josh Blanchard presented expert psychological testimony regarding the complainant, a Calhoun County jury acquitted our client on all nine counts.
NOT GUILTY
Operating While Intoxicated – Montcalm County: Josh Blanchard tried a .09 BAC breath test case to a Montcalm County jury. After cross examining the officer extensively about his administration of the field sobriety tests, the jury returned a verdict of NOT GUILTY.
NOT GUILTY
Domestic Violence – 2nd Offense: Josh Blanchard was successful in excluding evidence of prior convictions because the prosecutor failed to timely file the proper notices. Following a day-long jury trial, the jury found his client NOT GUILTY after just four minutes of deliberation.
DISMISSED
Operating While Intoxicated – Montcalm County: Our client was charged with OWI following a traffic stop because the officer had allegedly observed client’s vehicle to be weaving in his lane. Attorney Joshua Blanchard filed a motion to suppress evidence of the breath test because our client was detained for an unreasonable time prior to his arrest. On the day before the hearing on our motion to suppress, the prosecutor’s office DISMISSED the charges.
DISMISSED
Possession of Marijuana – Montcalm County: Medical Marijuana patient was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana after being found with a small amount of medicine despite being in possession of a medical marijuana card. At the pretrial conference, the prosecutor refused to dismiss the charge. Attorney Keeley D. Blanchard filed a motion to dismiss based on Section 4 of the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act. Prior to the hearing on Ms. Blanchard’s motion, the prosecutor DISMISSED the charge.
NOT GUILTY
Malicious use of a Telephone – Montcalm County: Our client was charged after he left a telephone message for his ex-wife. The message was alleged to contain vulgar words as well as harassing, and threatening statements. Attorney Keeley D. Blanchard conducted a jury trial where she was able to successfully argue that while our client’s message may not have been polite, it wasn’t criminal. After deliberations, the jury returned a verdict of NOT GUILTY.
NOT GUILTY
Assault & Battery – Clare County: Our client and a co-defendant were charged with Assault & Battery for allegedly beating a man. It was undisputed that the complaining witness had been severely injured. At trial, attorney Joshua Blanchard established that the alleged victim’s story had changed radically from the night of the alleged assault. Mr. Blanchard was also able to emphasize that the investigating officer omitted details of a witness from his reports. After a full day jury trial, it took the jury roughly 20 minutes to return a verdict of NOT GUILTY.
NOT GUILTY
Misuse of 911 – Clare County: Client was charged with misuse of a 911 service. The prosecutor’s best offer was 30 days in the county jail. Our response was to demand a jury trial. Attorney Joshua Blanchard argued that no real crime had been committed. After closing arguments, the jury was out for just 10 minutes before they returned a verdict of NOT GUILTY.
DISMISSED
Manufacture / Delivery of Marijuana – Montcalm County: Client was charged with felony manufacture / delivery of marijuana. Our client had applied for a medical marijuana card pursuant to the MMMA. At the time of the raid, 20 days had passed since our client submitted his application, but he had not yet received a card from the MDCH. Attorney Keeley D. Blanchard filed a motion to dismiss pursuant to section 4 of the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act. On the morning before the motion hearing, the prosecutor dismissed the charges.
MISTRIAL
Assault & Battery / Larceny – Montcalm County: Client was charged with assault and larceny related to a neighborhood dispute. During the trial, it became apparent that the witnesses for the government had been conspiring — unknown to the prosecutor — to coordinate their testimony in an attempt to convict our client. Attorney Joshua Blanchard brought this violation of the court’s sequestration order to the trial judge’s attention. After examining several of the witnesses under oath, Mr. Blanchard moved for a mistrial, which was granted. Following the mistrial, the prosecutor decided to do the right thing and not re-try our client.
NOT GUILTY
OWI 2nd / Assault & Battery – Grand Traverse County: Our client was charged with Operating While Intoxicated – 2nd Offense and Assault & Battery. With their normal “no-deals” approach to drunk driving, the Grand Traverse County Prosecutor refused to make any reasonable offers. Accordingly, attorney Joshua Blanchard prepared for a jury trial. After a full day jury trial, the jury returned a verdict of NOT GUILTY on all counts.
NOT GUILTY
Assault & Battery / Illegal Entry – Montcalm County: Our client was charged following a dispute with her ex-mother-in-law. The government made several plea offers that were not acceptable to our client, so Attorney Keeley D. Blanchard conducted a jury trial. After just minutes of deliberation, the jury returned a verdict of NOT GUILTY on both counts.
PLEA
OWI 2nd – Leelanau County: Client was charged with operating while intoxicated, second offense. On the eve of trial, the government offered a plea to reckless driving / disorderly conduct.
REDUCED SENTENCE
OWI – Oscoda County: Client charged with OWI after a roll-over accident and .18 BrAC breath test. Reduced to reckless driving.
PLEA
OWI 3rd – Montcalm County: Client was charged with felony operating while intoxicated. We filed a motion to suppress the blood test results based on non-compliance with Michigan’s Implied Consent law. After filing the motion, the prosecutor agreed to a plea to reckless driving with no jail or probation.
ACQUITTED
Use of Marijuana – Montcalm County: Client was charged with use of marijuana. We tried the case and client wasacquitted at a bench trial.
PLEA
OWI – Bay County: Client was charged with OWI. We concluded that the police had insufficient evidence to request a breath test or arrest client. After filing a motion to suppress, client accepted plea offer to having open intoxicants in a motor vehicle.
NOT GUILTY
Aggravated Assault – Montcalm County: Client was charged with aggravated assault. Our client was acting in self-defense and refused all plea offers extended by the prosecution. Attorney Joshua Blanchard tried the case to a jury. After approximately one hour deliberating, the jury returned a verdict of NOT GUILTY.
MISTRIAL
Assault & Battery Jury Trial – Montcalm County: Original charge was assault & battery. After a jury trial, the judge declared a mistrial when the jurors were unable to reach a verdict.
NOT GUILTY
Second Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct – Ottawa County – Keeley Blanchard represented a man who had been falsely accused of touching an underage cousin. He was charged with CSC 2nd degree, Accosting a Minor for Immoral Purposes, and Aggravated Indecent Exposure. After a three day jury trial, the client was found not guilty on all three charges.
ACQUITTED
Criminal Sexual Conduct First Degree – Kent County – A young man was charged with forcibly raping his adult cousin. The prosecution attempted to utilize DNA and medical evidence in the jury trial for this life-offense felony. The trial team of Josh and Keeley Blanchard were able to present evidence that contradicted that of the government, resulting in an acquittal.
ACQUITTED
Sex Offender Registry Removal – Keeley Blanchard represented a young man who had been convicted of statutory rape for having consentual sex with a high school girlfriend at the age of 18. After filing a thorough petition to remove the client from the registry, which included a report from our private investigator and a verified statement from the high school girlfriend, the Court entered an order removing the client from the Michigan Sex Offender Registry. We provided a copy of the order to the Michigan State Police, and the client was removed from the registry within hours of our receipt of the order.
DISMISSED
No charges filed – Kent County – Keeley Blanchard represented a man who was being investigated for molesting his fiance’s small child. The man was being falsely accused. Ms. Blanchard represented this man prior to him being charged, and was successfully able to avoid charges being filed. She was also able to help him avoid a petition being filed by child protective services.
DISMISSED
Criminal Sexual Conduct Charges Dismissed – Montcalm County – A man charged with felony criminal sexual conduct against a thirteen year old girl received a dismissal of the charges five days before trial. Ms. Blanchard fought hard to show the prosecuting attorney that her client was innocent of the accusations, and that the case could not be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. After months of filing motions and advocating for the client by Ms. Blanchard, the prosecuting attorney filed a dismissal. The client, whose life was changed dramatically by these false allegations, shed tears of joy when he learned the news of the dismissal.
NOT GUILTY
Client Cleared of Life-Offense Child Molestation Charges – Montcalm County – A Grand Rapids man, falsely accused of raping his 12-year old stepdaughter and facing life in prison, was acquitted at a jury trial while being represented by Keeley Blanchard. A charge of Criminal Sexual Conduct in the 1st degree was dismissed by the judge prior to jury deliberations for lack of evidence, while the client was found not guilty by the jury of a second charge of Criminal Sexual Conduct in the 2nd degree after 45 minutes of deliberation.
DISMISSED
Rape Charges Dismissed – Montcalm County – A Greenville man was falsely accused of raping a woman after a consensual sexual encounter. He was released from jail and charges were dismissed after Keeley Blanchard, representing the defendant, obtained a statement from the complaining witness acknowledging that she had lied to the police because she feared that her boyfriend would find out about the sexual encounter with another man.
DISMISSED
Superdrunk charges dismissed prior to trial – Kent County – Client was charged with OWI – High BAC, also known as “Superdrunk” after a blood test showed that she was a .185 at a local hospital. However, sloppy investigation failed to uncover that the client, although she admitted to driving, had drank the alcohol after she drove. A sharp investigation by Blanchard Law’s private investigator resulted in presenting strong evidence to the prosecutor that the case should be dismissed. A dismissal of the charges was filed just a few days before the scheduled jury trial.
DISMISSED
Impaired Driving Dismissed – Montcalm County – Client was charged with Operating While Visibly Impaired after being pulled over while driving through a construction zone. He blew below the legal limit, but because the officer determined that he had been driving erratically, he was arrested. In reality, he was simply avoiding potholes in the construction zone. Keeley Blanchard was able to do a complete investigation which showed that he was, in fact, innocent, and a dismissal was obtained.
NOT GUILTY
Jury finds Self Defense in Assault Trial – Montcalm County – A Pierson man was charged with assaulting another man at a wedding reception. At a jury trial, Keeley Blanchard represented the defendant, who argued that he acted in self-defense. The jury agreed, finding the client not guilty.
NOT GUILTY
Not Guilty Verdict After Jury Trial – Montcalm County – Client was charged with Malicious Use of a Telecommunications Device after allegedly leaving an expletive-filled voicemail for his ex-wife following a custody dispute. Keeley Blanchard took the matter to a jury trial, which resulted in an acquittal.
REDUCED SENTENCE
Contempt of Court Appeal – Montcalm County: We filed an appeal for a client who was sentenced to serve consecutive sentences. On appeal it was ordered that his sentences run concurrently, thereby releasing him from jail earlier than originally scheduled.
DISMISSED
OWI 2nd – Clare County: Client was charged with operating while intoxicated, second offense. After review and negotiation, the charges were dismissed without prejudice.
NOT GUILTY
Client found Not Guilty of Domestic Violence – Montcalm County – Defendant was charged with Domestic Violence and Malicious Destruction of Property. Ms. Blanchard took the case to trial, and showed that the police failed to fully investigate the case. There was not enough evidence to prove that the Defendant was even the perpetrator of the property damage or the assault, and the jury found the Defendant not guilty on all charges.
ACQUITTED
Client Acquitted at Trial of Multiple Counts – Montcalm County – Defendant was charged with two counts of Domestic Violence and one count of Malicious Destruction of Property. Keeley Blanchard was able to establish at trial that the complaining witness had issues involving mental illness, and that Defendant was merely acting in self-defense. The jury came back with not-guilty verdicts on all three charges.
DISMISSED
Possession of Marijuana Case Dismissed – Montcalm County – Client was charged with possession of marijuana. Marijuana was found in a home where client was residing, and when police conducted a search after responding to a call to an unrelated assault, the residents pointed the finger at the client. Keeley Blanchard pushed the case to a jury trial, and prior to the jury selection, the case was dismissed.
NOT GUILTY
Not Guilty of Aggravated Domestic Violence – Kent County – Client was charged with aggravated domestic violence after an altercation with his girlfriend in a hotel room resulted in her putting a tooth through her lip. The client, however, had his own significant injuries, and at trial, Keeley Blanchard was able to demonstrate that the client had merely acted to defend himself against an unwarranted attack by his girlfriend, who suffered from mental health issues. The jury found that the client indeed acted in self-defense, and found him not guilty.
DISMISSED
Two Separate Marijuana Convictions Dismissed – Montcalm County – Keeley Blanchard represented one client charged with two separate possession of marijuana charges, with incident dates several months apart. In the first case, Ms. Blanchard filed a motion to suppress based upon a search by the police that violated the fourth amendment. After a hearing, the judge determined that the police did in fact violate her client’s rights, and suppressed the marijuana found in the home, resulting in a dismissal of that charge. On the second case, Ms. Blanchard filed a motion to dismiss based upon a Section 4 defense under the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act. The prosecuting attorney dismissed the charges prior to the hearing on the motion.
NOT GUILTY
Client found Not Guilty of Driving While License Suspended – Clinton County – Client was in the military and a conviction would have impacted her security clearance. The prosecutor wouldn’t budge on giving her an acceptable resolution, so Keeley Blanchard took the matter to trial. She was able to show that proper notice of the suspension was not given, and the jury found the client not guilty after only a few minutes of deliberation.
NOT GUILTY
Client found Not Guilty – Even with Prosecutor as Witness – Montcalm County – Client was accused of driving with her license suspended. The assistant prosecuting attorney in Montcalm County accused her of driving while her license was suspended only one day after she had testified at a domestic violence trial for the defense, which the assistant prosecuting attorney lost. Keeley Blanchard presented this evidence to a jury, who after over an hour of deliberations, found the client Not Guilty.
DISMISSED
Case Dismissed Pursuant to Medical Marijuana Act – Montcalm County – Ms. Blanchard’s client was charged with possession of marijuana. He had a valid medical marijuana card, but the prosecuting attorney disputed the validity of the card. Ms. Blanchard filed a motion to dismiss, and the prosecuting attorney dismissed the case prior to the hearing.
DISMISSED
Dismissal of all charges based on bad search – Ottawa County – Keeley Blanchard represented two college students charged with Minor in Possession of Alcohol. These students were with a small group of people in their apartment one evening, when the police came to the door. The police suspected that there was underage drinking going on inside the apartment, and knocked at the door. When my clients refused to answer the door, one officer illegally climbed up on a six-foot deck without access from the ground and looked into the apartment through a sliding glass door that was locked. Ultimately, four officers entered the front door of the home without consent of my clients and without a warrant, and issued MIP tickets to those inside. We filed a motion to suppress and dismiss based upon the illegal search, and the prosecutor dismissed all charges against our clients on the day of the motion hearing.
NOT GUILTY
Not Guilty of Domestic Violence and Attempt Interference with an Electronic Communication Device – Ionia County – Client was charged with assaulting his pregnant wife during an argument. Even though his wife later admitted that she lied about the incident, the prosecutor insisted on pushing forward with the charges. After presenting all of the evidence to a jury, Keeley Blanchard was able to secure a not guilty on all charges.
NOT GUILTY
Client Acquitted of All Charges – Montcalm County – Keeley Blanchard’s client was charged with Domestic Violence and Assault and Battery. He had been defending himself against a man who was trying to stab him with a knife. However, the police did not believe him because they were unable to locate the knife. Our investigator was able to track down the person who purchased the knife, and we were able to prove that the knife that had been bought for this man months earlier matched the description my client gave to the police. The jury came back with a “not guilty” on both counts.
DISMISSED
Domestic Violence Cases Dismissed – Midland County – Client was falsely accused of two counts of domestic violence in Midland County involving his son, who was angry at the client regarding a punishment. Based on a statute of limitations issue, as well as diligent investigation, Keeley Blanchard was able to get both counts dismissed prior to trial.
DISMISSED
Charges of Manufacture Marijuana and Felony Firearm result in No Conviction – Mecosta County – Client was arrested after HEMP flight viewed marijuana plants in his backyard. He was charged with manufacturing marijuana and with felony firearm in Mecosta County after his home was raided by the drug team. Despite some bad case facts, Keeley Blanchard was able to work out an agreement wherein our client was able to do less than a year of probation, and all charges were then dismissed. He was able to move on with his life – without a criminal record.
NOT GUILTY
Resisting and Obstructing Dismissed; CCW Acquittal – Kent County – Keeley Blanchard’s client was charged with resisting and obstructing a police officer and carrying a concealed weapon. The resisting and obstructing charge was dismissed by the judge after Ms. Blanchard filed a motion to dismiss arguing that the client was allowed to resist the illegal actions of the police. The CCW charge remained, and we went to a jury trial. The jury came back not guilty.
DISMISSED
Full Dismissal of Felony Resisting and Obstructing Charges – Montcalm County – Client was charged with Resisting and Obstructing a Court Officer, a two-year felony. Keeley Blanchard completed a full investigation of the case, including the use of private investigator, and actually went to the client’s home to reenact the events. Ms. Blanchard was able to utilize this information to speak with both the prosecutor and the court officer involved, and convince the prosecutor to dismiss the case outright prior to trial.
DISMISSED
Life Offense Drug Case Dismissed – Montcalm County – Keeley Blanchard represented a client who was charged with delivery of crack cocaine. Client always maintained his innocence, and further felt as though he was being unfairly treated by the courts. We eventually successfully moved to disqualify the judge in the case. We began the jury trial, which resulted in a mistrial when the prosecutor attempted to introduce inadmissible evidence. After several more months of fighting, the case was eventually dismissed, and all charges against the client were dropped.
NOT GUILTY
Client found Not Guilty at Jury Trial – Wexford County – Client was facing felony charges of Receiving and Concealing Stolen Property valued between $1,000 and $20,000. He was also charges as a Habitual Offender, making the maximum penalty for the offense life in prison. I held a preliminary examination, and the judge refused to bind the felony matter over the circuit court, citing lack of evidence. The felony charges were dismissed, and the prosecution was only allowed to proceed to trial on a one year misdemeanor. The case finally went to trial on the balance of the charges. At trial, it was in dispute whether the property was actually stolen, and if it was, whether my client had any knowledge that it was stolen. After approximately 30 minutes of deliberations, the jury returned a verdict of NOT GUILTY.
NOT GUILTY
Jury finds client Not Guilty of Child Abuse Charges – Montcalm County – Keeley Blanchard represented a man accused of child abuse in the third degree, a felony, when he got into a brief physical altercation with his teenage son while attempting to discipline him. At trial, the jury decided that the actions that the man took were reasonable parental discipline, and found the man not guilty.
DISMISSED
Case Dismissed Pursuant to Medical Marijuana Act – Montcalm County – Client was charged in Montcalm County with Delivery/Manufacture of Marijuana. He had a valid medical marijuana card, but the prosecutor claimed that the marijuana in his possession was not kept in an enclosed, locked facility as required by the act. Prior to the preliminary examination, Ms. Blanchard filed a motion to dismiss pursuant to the medical marijuana act, in addition to a motion to suppress evidence as a result of a faulty search warrant. As a result, the felony charges against her client were dismissed.
DISMISSED
Felonious Assault Charges Dismissed at Preliminary Examination – Montcalm County – A Grand Rapids woman who was a victim of domestic violence was falsely accused by her child’s father of assault with a dangerous weapon, a felony. Keeley Blanchard represented the defendant. At a preliminary examination, the charges were dismissed after the complaining witness changed his story. The woman was released from jail and able to return to caring for her infant daughter.
DISMISSED
Serious Drug Felony Dismissed After Hearing – Montcalm County – The Defendant was charged with Delivery and Manufacture of Methamphetamines, a 20 year felony. Despite two alleged confessions by Defendant to the police drug team, and threats from the prosecutor to enhance the charges, Keeley Blanchard demanded a preliminary examination in the case. After the preliminary examination, Ms. Blanchard was able to show that both alleged confessions had been obtained illegally, in violation of the Defendant’s rights. The prosecutor, who previously thought the case was a “slam dunk,” dismissed all charges against the Defendant.
NO CHARGES FILED
Potential Murder Charges Avoided – Shooting Ruled Self-Defense – Keeley Blanchard was hired immediately to represent a man who had shot two men who were attempting to break into his friend’s home. One of the men died as a result of the gun shot wounds. Keeley Blanchard was able to aggressively defend his rights, and ultimately, the police and prosecuting attorney decided that no charges would be filed in the case against Ms. Blanchard’s client. The incident was ruled self-defense.
DISMISSED
Judge Dismisses Felony Charges – Montcalm County – Defendant was charged with Unlawful Driving Away of a Motor Vehicle, a felony. The prosecutor threatened to treat the Defendant as a habitual offender if he chose to exercise his right to a preliminary examination, thereby increasing the maximum penalty that he was facing. Ignoring the threats of the prosecutor, Keeley Blanchard fought through a preliminary examination on behalf of the client. The prosecutor was unable to show that there was probable cause to arrest the Defendant for the offense, and the judge dismissed the felony charges against Ms. Blanchard’s client.
ACQUITTED
Client Acquitted of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon – Montcalm County – A Grand Rapids man was charged with Assault with a Dangerous Weapon. Keeley Blanchard represented the man at trial, where the man was accused of threatening a woman with a knife. A jury found the defendant not guilty at trial, after hearing evidence that the woman was not in fact threatened by the defendant.
NOT GUILTY OF POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA/DISMISSAL OF PUBLIC INTOXICATION CHARGE – CITY OF GREENVILLE
Client was charged with violating two Greenville city ordinances: Public Intoxication and Possession of a Controlled Substance. The prosecutor indicated that he would not make any plea offer. After the judge granted a dismissal of the Public Intoxication charge on constitutional grounds, Melissa Freeman proceeded to trial on the possession charge with the theory that the client did not knowingly possess marijuana because he was wearing a pair of pants borrowed from a friend. The jury promptly returned a verdict of Not Guilty.
ACQUITTAL ON PROBATION VIOLATION – MONTCALM COUNTY
Client was charged with a violation of probation for failure to complete his work crew days. Melissa Freeman successfully defended the client at a probation violation hearing, and the judge acquitted the client of the probation violation