The moment you are charged, the government mobilizes its full resources against you. We mobilize ours in your defense — aggressive, evidence-based, and trial-ready from day one.
Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) is the formal charge in Michigan for what most people call a DUI. What many people do not realize is that an OWI prosecution is a highly technical case built on assumptions, imperfect testing technology, and individual officer discretion — all of which are subject to rigorous legal challenge. A charge is not a conviction. The work of defense begins immediately, long before any courtroom appearance.
We scrutinize every stage of an OWI arrest. It begins with the traffic stop itself — was the officer's reason for stopping your vehicle legally sufficient? Without a valid legal basis, any evidence gathered during the stop may be suppressible. We then examine the administration of field sobriety tests: standardized walking and turning, the one-leg stand, and horizontal gaze nystagmus tests are all subject to strict administration protocols. Deviation from those protocols undermines their validity as evidence of impairment.
Breath testing machines — Datamaster and similar instruments — require regular calibration, maintenance, and proper operation. We obtain maintenance records, calibration logs, and operator certification documents through discovery. Blood test procedures are examined for compliance with statutory requirements, including timing, handling, storage, and laboratory processing. Miranda rights violations and improper questioning during the investigative detention are additional suppression issues we pursue aggressively.
Beyond the criminal case, OWI charges trigger parallel Secretary of State administrative proceedings affecting your driving privileges. We handle ignition interlock requirements, mandatory alcohol treatment referrals, restricted license petitions, and vehicle immobilization proceedings. For non-citizen clients, we assess the immigration consequences of any potential plea or conviction at the outset, because immigration exposure must inform every strategic decision in the criminal case. We serve clients throughout Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb Counties.
Drug prosecutions in Michigan — from simple possession to possession with intent to deliver (PWID), from prescription drug offenses to manufacturing charges — are frequently built on constitutional violations that occur during police investigations. The Fourth Amendment's prohibition on unreasonable searches and seizures is the foundation of a drug defense strategy. When police violate that protection, the evidence they collected can be excluded from court, and without evidence, the case collapses.
We file suppression motions challenging unlawful traffic stops, warrantless vehicle searches conducted without consent or probable cause, residential searches based on deficient warrant applications, and searches that exceeded the scope of any warrant issued. We challenge stop-and-frisk encounters that lacked reasonable articulable suspicion. We examine whether Miranda warnings were properly administered before any custodial interrogation and move to suppress statements obtained in violation of that requirement.
Beyond constitutional challenges, we attack drug cases through informant credibility — confidential informants have their own incentives to fabricate or exaggerate, and their reliability and track record are subjects of discovery we pursue aggressively. We examine chain-of-custody documentation for every piece of alleged contraband, looking for gaps in handling that undermine the integrity of laboratory test results. In PWID cases, we challenge the inference of "intent to deliver" drawn from quantity alone, examining whether the evidence actually supports that inference or whether possession for personal use is the more reasonable interpretation.
For non-citizen defendants, we must emphasize that drug convictions — including misdemeanor possession offenses — trigger mandatory immigration detention and potential deportation under federal law. This immigration exposure must be addressed from the very first moment of our representation, and every strategic decision in the criminal case must account for it. If you are not a U.S. citizen and you face drug charges, contact us immediately before entering any plea.
Assault and battery charges in Michigan range from simple assault and battery — a misdemeanor carrying up to 93 days in jail — to aggravated assault and felonious assault involving dangerous weapons, which carry potential prison sentences measured in years. The specific charge determines the strategy, and the strategy is built on the facts from the moment we are retained.
Self-defense is among the most powerful and commonly applicable defenses in assault cases. Michigan law recognizes the right to use reasonable force to protect oneself or another person from imminent harm. We examine the relative sizes and capabilities of the parties involved, the sequence of events leading to the physical confrontation, any prior history between the parties, and whether withdrawal from the situation was possible or required. When the evidence supports a self-defense claim, we pursue it aggressively through every stage of proceedings.
Beyond self-defense, we challenge assault cases through witness reliability analysis — eyewitness testimony is notoriously unreliable, and we cross-examine witnesses on their opportunity to observe, their sobriety, their relationship with the complaining witness, and any inconsistencies between their statements and physical evidence. Where surveillance video or cell phone footage exists, we obtain and analyze it carefully — the video frequently tells a different story than the police report. Suppression motions address any statements our client made in violation of Miranda rights during police interrogation.
In cases involving dangerous weapons — felonious assault under MCL 750.82 — the question of whether the object used qualifies as a "dangerous weapon" under Michigan law is itself a significant legal issue that we analyze carefully. The intent element of assault charges is another avenue of defense: assault requires an intentional act, and circumstances that negate intent can be decisive. We evaluate every viable defense theory before any strategic decision is made.
Domestic violence charges in Michigan are prosecuted aggressively, and unlike many other assault charges, they proceed even when the alleged victim does not wish to cooperate or has recanted their initial statement. Prosecutors make independent charging decisions based on all available evidence — including 911 recordings, body camera footage, officer observations at the scene, neighbor statements, and medical records. The absence of the alleged victim's cooperation does not end a domestic violence case.
Courts routinely issue emergency no-contact orders at or immediately after arraignment in domestic violence cases. Violating a no-contact order — even with the alleged victim's encouragement or consent — results in new criminal charges that compound the original matter substantially. We advise our clients clearly and immediately on the full scope of their no-contact obligations and help them navigate living, custody, and financial arrangements that arise when domestic violence charges separate a household.
Our defense strategy in domestic violence cases begins with a comprehensive review of all evidence the prosecution possesses. We obtain and analyze 911 recordings for the tone, sequence, and content of what was reported — recordings frequently reveal significant inconsistencies with later formal statements. Body camera footage from responding officers captures the scene, the parties' appearance and demeanor, and statements made before anyone had time to construct a narrative. We examine incident reports for internal inconsistencies and cross-reference them against medical documentation, if any.
When the evidence supports it, we challenge the credibility of the accusing party directly — examining prior false reports, potential motives including custody disputes and financial conflicts, prior criminal history for dishonesty offenses, and the dynamics of the relationship. First-offense domestic violence under MCL 750.81 is a misdemeanor carrying up to 93 days in jail, but the collateral consequences are severe: federal and state firearm prohibitions, barriers to employment and housing, and for non-citizens, serious immigration risk including inadmissibility and deportation.
A probation violation hearing is a different legal environment from a criminal trial, and the differences matter enormously. The evidentiary standard is lower — the prosecutor does not need to prove the violation beyond a reasonable doubt, only by a preponderance of the evidence, meaning more likely than not. Hearsay evidence that would be inadmissible at trial is often allowed. There is no right to a jury — the judge who placed you on probation decides whether you violated and what the consequence will be. Understanding these distinctions informs every aspect of our defense strategy.
Probation violations fall into two broad categories. Technical violations involve conduct that does not constitute a new crime but violates the specific terms of the probation order: a failed or missed drug test, a missed appointment with a probation officer, failure to pay fines or restitution, traveling outside an approved area, or associating with prohibited individuals. Criminal violations involve the allegation that the probationer committed a new offense while on probation — which often triggers both a probation violation proceeding and a new criminal case simultaneously.
Our defense in probation violation cases is built around several strategies. We challenge the factual basis of the alleged violation — was there actually a missed test, or was it an administrative error? Was the failed test the result of a legally prescribed medication? Was the travel in an unauthorized area necessitated by a genuine emergency? We examine documentation errors in probation department records, a productive source of defense in cases where bureaucratic failures are mistaken for client non-compliance.
Where the violation is difficult to dispute factually, we focus on mitigation and outcome: presenting evidence of compliance with all other conditions, demonstrating genuine effort at rehabilitation, addressing the underlying circumstances that led to the violation, and making the strongest possible case to the court for reinstatement of probation over revocation and incarceration. Sentencing advocacy in probation violation cases is as important as factual defense — we pursue both with equal commitment.
The most effective criminal defense is one that prevents charges from ever being filed. When law enforcement is investigating you — whether you have received a target letter, been contacted by a detective, or simply have reason to believe you are under investigation — retaining an attorney immediately gives you the best possible chance of avoiding prosecution entirely. Every day that passes without legal representation is a day the investigation proceeds without opposition.
During the investigative phase, before any arrest or formal charge, we take decisive action to protect our clients. The first and most critical service we provide is managing police access to our client: we contact the investigating detective or agency and formally notify them that our client is represented by counsel. This immediately shifts all communication through us, protecting our client from the most common mistake in criminal defense — talking to law enforcement without an attorney present. A single voluntary interview often provides the government with the evidence it needed to make an arrest.
We challenge evidence collection during the investigative phase by scrutinizing search warrants for legal deficiencies before material is used to build a case, by objecting to unlawful search and seizure before formal proceedings begin, and by filing motions to suppress in advance of any charging decision where the legal basis supports it. We present exculpatory information — evidence of innocence or significantly reduced culpability — directly to prosecutors before charging decisions are made, when prosecutors are most receptive to information that would complicate their case.
Pre-charge defense also includes efforts to prevent overcharging: when facts suggest conduct that might support multiple theories of criminal liability, early intervention can narrow the scope of what prosecutors ultimately choose to pursue. We have prevented arrests, persuaded prosecutors to close investigations, and secured declinations to prosecute entirely through early, aggressive pre-charge defense. If you have any reason to believe you are under investigation, call us before the police call you.
Michigan takes benefits fraud seriously, and state investigators pursue these cases aggressively. But the reality is that many EBT and welfare fraud charges are filed based on misunderstandings, administrative errors, policy confusion, or retroactive enforcement of complex eligibility rules that recipients were not equipped to navigate on their own. A charge of benefits fraud does not mean you intentionally defrauded the government — and intent is a central element of every fraud prosecution that must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
The defense in EBT and welfare fraud cases often begins with the question of intent. Fraud requires a knowing and willful misrepresentation. When a recipient failed to report a change in household income because they did not understand the reporting obligation, received benefits during a period of disputed eligibility based on conflicting agency determinations, or was the victim of identity theft that resulted in benefits being issued in their name to an unauthorized person, the prosecution faces real challenges proving the knowing and willful element that distinguishes fraud from administrative error.
We challenge whether an overpayment of benefits actually constitutes fraud rather than an administrative error by the benefits agency itself. Government agencies make mistakes in calculating eligibility, in processing updates to recipient information, and in communicating obligation requirements clearly. Those agency errors do not translate to criminal liability for recipients who were receiving benefits in good faith. We pursue discovery of agency records, communications, and eligibility determinations to expose the true nature of any overpayment.
Fourth Amendment protections apply in welfare fraud investigations. Agency investigators do not have unlimited authority to conduct searches, review private financial records without proper authorization, or conduct surveillance beyond the bounds of lawful investigation. When investigators exceed their legal authority, we file suppression motions targeting the evidence obtained. Where prosecution cannot be avoided, we negotiate aggressively for repayment agreements and civil resolution over criminal prosecution, protecting our clients from the severe collateral consequences of a fraud conviction: permanent benefits disqualification, fines, potential incarceration, and serious immigration exposure for non-citizen clients.
Federal agents and law enforcement regularly seize large amounts of cash at airports, border crossings, and highways under civil asset forfeiture laws — often without charging the owner with any crime. The government's theory is that large amounts of cash are presumptively connected to drug trafficking or other criminal activity. That presumption is wrong, and it is our job to prove it.
Asset forfeiture is one of the most aggressive tools in the federal government's arsenal. Under federal law and Michigan's forfeiture statutes, the government can seize your property and force you to prove that it is not connected to criminal activity — a reversal of the traditional presumption of innocence that demands immediate and experienced legal intervention. We file administrative claims and, when necessary, federal lawsuits to compel the government to justify every seizure.
Many clients whose cash is seized have entirely legitimate explanations: real estate transactions, business proceeds, savings accumulated outside the banking system, family gifts, or funds intended for specific purposes. We work with our clients to document the legitimate source of seized funds through bank records, business records, witness statements, and tax documents. We challenge the legal basis for the initial stop or search that preceded the seizure, and we aggressively pursue the return of our clients' money at every stage of the forfeiture process.
If federal or state agents have seized your cash at Detroit Metropolitan Airport, at a border crossing, or during a traffic stop, act immediately. There are strict deadlines for filing administrative claims after a seizure, and missing those deadlines can result in the automatic forfeiture of your property even if the underlying seizure was unlawful. Contact us the same day your funds are taken.
Internet sex crime investigations and charges carry devastating consequences — criminal prosecution, sex offender registration, social stigma, and the destruction of careers and families. These cases are complex, aggressively prosecuted by both state and federal authorities, and demand representation by attorneys who understand digital evidence, law enforcement investigation techniques, and the constitutional protections that apply at every stage.
Charges in this area include possession or distribution of child sexually abusive material (CSAM), online solicitation of minors, computer crimes involving sexual content, and federal charges arising from interstate transmission of prohibited material. Federal prosecutors bring particular resources to these cases, including digital forensics units with sophisticated investigative capabilities. We counter those capabilities with our own expert digital forensics consultants who scrutinize how evidence was obtained and whether it is legally sound.
Every aspect of these investigations is subject to constitutional challenge. The Fourth Amendment governs searches of computers, phones, and cloud accounts. Warrants must be obtained lawfully, must not exceed their authorized scope, and must be based on genuine probable cause. Sting operations must not cross the line into entrapment. We review every detail of how law enforcement conducted its investigation, challenge any constitutional violations through suppression motions, and force the government to prove every element of every charge beyond a reasonable doubt.
All representation in internet sex crime matters is handled with strict confidentiality. Attorney-client privilege is absolute. We understand the sensitivity of these charges and the profound impact they have on every aspect of a client's life. If you or a family member is under investigation or has been charged, contact us immediately for a completely confidential consultation — the sooner we are involved, the more options we have to protect you.
The following outcomes reflect our commitment to vigorous defense. A charge filed against you is a charge we are prepared to fight — through suppression hearings, pre-trial motions, negotiation, and trial. These results represent real clients whose futures were at stake.
If you are not a United States citizen — whether you hold a green card, a visa, DACA status, or are undocumented — a criminal conviction can have consequences that extend far beyond any sentence the court imposes. Federal immigration law treats even minor criminal convictions with severity that the state criminal system does not reflect.
A criminal conviction — even a misdemeanor — can render you inadmissible to the United States, deportable if you are a lawful permanent resident, ineligible to adjust status or naturalize, subject to mandatory immigration detention, and barred from re-entering the country if you travel abroad. Drug offenses, crimes involving moral turpitude, domestic violence offenses, and crimes with a potential sentence of one year or more are among the most dangerous categories for immigration purposes. The threshold is lower than most people realize.
We assess the immigration consequences of every charge and every potential disposition at the outset of representation. This assessment fundamentally shapes our defense strategy: a plea that a citizen might reasonably accept can be catastrophic for a non-citizen. We coordinate with immigration counsel when necessary and fight in the criminal court for outcomes that protect your status. Do not enter any plea without understanding its immigration impact.
(313) 893-2500