Protecting Your Legal Rights Throughout Your Criminal Case 

If you were arrested for allegedly committing a crime in Michigan, you should contact a Flint criminal defense attorney to determine your next steps. After all, if you’re convicted of a serious crime in this state, you could be sentenced to prison time, fines, and other penalties that will affect you and your family for years. Having an experienced criminal defense attorney by your side throughout your case can help you get the best outcome possible.

When you seek legal representation from Manley & Manley, you can rest assured that we’ll use our legal knowledge and resources to prove you’re not guilty as charged. Whether you’re facing charges for sex crimes, drug crimes, violent crimes, or other criminal acts, we can defend your rights in state and federal courts. Call our Flint criminal law office today to discuss your case with skilled criminal defense attorneys serving clients throughout Genesee County. 

What Types of Criminal Cases Can Our Flint Criminal Defense Team Handle?

Our Flint, MI legal team has over 70 years of combined experience representing clients in a variety of criminal defense cases. Whether you were charged with a misdemeanor or felony, we’ll use our in-depth knowledge of criminal law to defend you in court so you can avoid serious penalties. 

Some of the criminal charges we regularly handle include:

• Violent crimes, such as murder, assault, domestic violence, and sexual assault 
• Criminal traffic offenses, such as drunk driving, reckless driving, child endangerment, and fleeing police
• Drug crimes, including drug possession, trafficking, and distribution 
• White collar crimes, including tax evasion, bribery, embezzlement, and fraud 
• Gun crimes
• Theft

If you were arrested for these or other misdemeanor or felony crimes, it’s time to talk to a Flint criminal defense attorney about your case. Our caring team has defended countless clients in state and federal courts, and we can do the same for you. Call our Flint criminal defense law firm today to learn how we can guide you through the legal process while fighting serious charges on your behalf. 

What Should You Do After You’re Arrested?

Being arrested for an alleged crime is often highly stressful, but it’s important to stay calm since your actions while in custody could affect your case. If you argue with the police or resist arrest, you could face additional charges on top of the initial criminal charge. 

While you should remain calm and cooperative, this doesn’t mean you have to answer questions about the alleged criminal act. If the police ask questions beyond your contact information, you can invoke your right to remain silent until you speak with a criminal defense attorney. Remember that anything you say or do can be used against you, possibly leading to harsh penalties, so staying silent is often recommended. 

When you contact a criminal defense attorney, you’ll discuss the details of your case, such as the state or federal crime you’ve been charged with, the possible penalties, and your criminal defense options. Avoid talking to anyone else about your case, especially in a public space like social media, since criminal prosecutors can use this information against you in court. 

Once you and your Flint criminal defense attorney have created a plan to fight your charges, they’ll begin collecting evidence to support you. During this time, you should follow their instructions on complying with the court, which might include attending hearings and obeying state and federal laws. To learn more about the steps to take after an arrest, call our criminal defense law firm for a consultation with skilled criminal defense attorneys serving Genesee County.

What Penalties Do You Face If Convicted of a Crime in Michigan? 

It’s essential to take all criminal charges seriously since you could end up with long-lasting consequences if convicted. These may include time in jail or prison, fines, community service, and driver’s license suspension. In many cases, a felony conviction could cause you to lose certain constitutional rights, such as voting rights and gun rights. 

Your penalties can vary depending on whether you’re convicted of a felony or misdemeanor and whether it’s the first or fourth offense on your permanent criminal record. The nature of the crime can also affect your punishment. 

The following are the classes of misdemeanors in Michigan and the penalties you could get upon conviction:

• 93-day misdemeanors: These can be punished by up to 93 days in jail and up to $500 in fines. Examples include petty larceny, simple assault, and trespassing
• One-year misdemeanors: These are often punished by up to 1 year in jail and up to $1,000 in fines. Examples include second-offense DUI charges, aggravated assault, and embezzlement of under $1,000
• High-court misdemeanors: The most serious types of misdemeanors, these crimes can be punished by up to 2 years in prison and up to $2,000 in fines. Examples include maintaining a drug house and indecent exposure 

Felonies are punished even more harshly than misdemeanors, sometimes resulting in years in prison. Michigan criminal law categorizes felonies in the following ways:

• Class A: Up to life in prison for serious crimes like kidnapping, murder, or assault with a deadly weapon with intent to rob or steal 
• Class B: Up to 20 years in prison for serious crimes like second-degree arson or production of child pornography 
• Class C: Up to 15 years in prison for severe crimes like manslaughter, robbery, or human trafficking resulting in injury
• Class D: Up to 10 years in prison for crimes like larceny or embezzlement over $20,000, and certain drug charges
• Class E: Up to 5 years in prison for crimes like theft and aggravated stalking 
• Class F: Up to 4 years in prison for crimes like selling marijuana or falsely reporting a felony
• Class G: Up to 2 years in prison for crimes including interference with electronic communications and resisting or obstructing a police officer
• Class H: Minimal jail time or alternative punishment, such as probation or treatment, for crimes like the use of a stolen credit card or joyriding 

If you’ve been charged with any criminal offense and are worried about being punished harshly, it’s time to hire a Flint, MI criminal defense attorney. Our defense team will guide you through the legal process, working hard to get you the best possible outcome on your Flint, Michigan criminal defense case. Contact our Genesee County law firm to speak with an experienced defense attorney. 

How Can Flint, MI Criminal Defense Attorneys Help with Your Case?

At Manley & Manley, we understand how daunting the criminal justice system can be when you lack legal experience. This is why we’re committed to helping our clients fight serious criminal charges. You deserve to have guidance from a Flint, Michigan criminal defense lawyer with years of experience helping countless clients like you get favorable outcomes.

Both Frank J. Manley and Michael P. Manley were born and raised in Flint. They’ve seen their hometown go through tough times and fight its way back. They know the area and know what it takes to win. Located on the Flint River in central Michigan, the city of Flint has a motto: “Strong. Proud.” That’s exactly the kind of approach Manley & Manley takes when representing clients. Frank Manley is known as the Shark, ruthlessly attacking arguments for conviction, while Michael Manley has been compared to a surgeon in the courtroom, skillfully cutting apart the prosecution’s case with precision and skill. Michael Manley is also one of the area’s few Board-Certified Criminal Trial Experts.

If you need help navigating the legal system and are ready to learn your legal options, you should schedule a consultation with a criminal defense attorney. When you hire our Flint, MI criminal defense firm, you’ll get advice from an experienced attorney with your best interests at heart. Call 810-374-0240 today for legal representation from a skilled Flint criminal defense lawyer ready to protect your constitutional rights.