This post was originally uploaded to the electronic criminal lawyer in February 2009. It has regained some relevance given the perennial campus law enforcement sweeps for underaged drinking. For your re-consideration:
Recent discussions between criminal defense attorneys comparing notes about district court judges in Oakland and Genesse counties have revealed that many of their MIP clients are subjected to jail sentences when they subsequently plead guilty to a violation of probation. The law prohibits any jail sentence for a minor that pleads guilty to possession of alcohol. In recent years, some district court judges have gotten around this prohibition by citing the defendant on a "contempt of court" charge, a misdemeanor that carries up to 93-days in jail. Other judges have simply ignored the law, tossing the probation violators in jail despite the protestations of their attorneys.
As the practice has spread among some judges in both Oakland and Genesse counties, members of the Criminal Defense Association of Michigan have began to organize a coordinated defense to the wrongful jailings.
If you or your family member is faced with a violation of probation charge and the underlying conviction was an MIP, contact a criminal defense lawyer before going to court. You could very possibly save you or your family member some jail time.
2 comments:
Criminal lawyers generally work for people who are accused of felonies such as murder, assault, family violence, embezzlement, etc. The service of a criminal lawyer is essential to make sure that your legal rights are sheltered throughout the judicial process.
When arrested and accused of a crime it is important to have a good criminal defense attorney on one's side.
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