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Ironwood Drunk Driving Lawyers

1. Marks, Marvin: Driving Offenses As we all know, most everyone has either experienced a traffic offense or knows someone who has at some point in their life. For most of us, and for most offenses, it is an infrequent inconvenience which results in a few points on our driving record, a raise in insurance premiums and some out of pocket expense. However, even these minor infractions can carry substantial weight with some employers and can even prevent you from obtaining certain types of employment. Consulting the services of our office in these types of situations may be beneficial. Certain types of offenses in Michigan and Wisconsin, such as drunk driving, vehicular homicide and reckless driving, or the accumulation of several tickets in a short period of time, can become a serious matter to you. Penalties can range from suspension of your license, heavy fines, and/or imprisonment. All of these can have a substantial impact on your life in terms of possible personal asset and employment loss issues. You will need a qualified attorney to represent you! So, when do I need a lawyer for a traffic offense? If you are charged with an offense that could result in incarceration or loss of your license, you need a lawyer. These offenses include cases involving DUI (drunk driving), reckless driving, careless driving, hit and run, involuntary manslaughter, habitual offender, or driving on a suspended or revoked license. Driving Under The Influence Michigan's and Wisconsin's courts are tough on drunk drivers. The BAC (blood-alcohol content) allowed in these states has been lowered to 0.08%. The potential of personal and property loss from the action has had an incredible impact on the way the court system views the offense in the last twenty years. Courts now view the offense as being on the level of murder in cases involving death and penalties resulting in life sentences for the defendant. Without legal representation, you stand to lose much more than your license. Criminal Law Criminal Law: An Overview A crime is any behavior that is punishable by incarceration and/or fine. At some point in everyone's life, they will find themselves affected by the criminal justice system. This contact ranges from a simple traffic ticket to an offense with the risk of incarceration There are two types of criminal offenses - misdemeanors and felonies. There are also crimes prosecuted on the Federal level on issues that pertain to serious crimes such as kidnapping and drug convictions. In recent years the list of Federal crimes has grown. Criminal Defenses Fall Into Two Major Categories: Misdemeanor and Felony What Is A Misdemeanor? Misdemeanors are offenses that have a penalty that can include up to one year in jail. The least serious offenses, such as most traffic offenses, are considered infractions for which the penalty is generally under $100.00 fines. These offenses are generally quick and simple to define and resolve. Most misdemeanors are handled by the issuing of a citation from an arresting officer or a complaint filed by a prosecutor. The citation or complaint includes a short statement of the offense with which you are charged, and states whether the offense is an infraction, a misdemeanor, or a felony. Misdemeanors include possession of marijuana, petty larceny (shoplifting) assault and battery, and misdemeanor bad check. Also, several serious traffic offenses (DUI, driving on suspended, reckless driving, etc.) are listed as misdemeanors. What Is A Felony? Felonies are defined as criminal offenses with maximum penalties greater than one year in prison. Felony charges include murder, malicious wounding, and armed robbery, as well as grand larceny, possession of cocaine or heroin and other serious charges. The classification of crime as a felony is based upon the maximum sentence provided by law - not by what a court actually imposes as a sentence for the crime. Each state and the federal government have their own criminal codes. The elements of a particular crime can vary, as can the sentencing classification How Can I Be Defended In A Criminal Case? ¥ By showing that the evidence does not prove all the elements against you of the crime charged. ¥ By showing that the primary evidence against you was collected unlawfully by the police or prosecutors, and thus cannot be used at the trial. ¥ By showing that the primary evidence against you is unreliable, and thus cannot be used to convict you. ¥ By showing that you have another defense to the crime charged. Plea Bargaining is also important in what we do. We may help you in the following ways: ¥ Defending you aggressively to persuade the Prosecutor/DA that their case is weak, and a plea bargain is better than them losing the case. ¥ Persuading the Prosecutor/DA that the severity of the crime is not what they thought, and you would agree to a lesser crime or sentence. ¥ That you have lots of good points as a person and you deserve a lesser sentence or charge in crime.