Felonies & Misdemeanors
From misdemeanor charges that threaten your license to felonies that threaten your freedom—aggressive defense at every level.
Felonies & Misdemeanors
A criminal charge—whether a misdemeanor or a felony—can cost you your career, your license, your freedom, and your reputation. The difference between the right defense and a quick plea can define the rest of your life.
Michigan prosecutes thousands of felony and misdemeanor cases every year. Prosecutors have investigators, crime labs, and institutional resources behind them. What you have is the right to a defense—and the quality of that defense determines the outcome. We don't evaluate cases by what's easiest to resolve. We evaluate them by what's worth fighting for.
Michigan divides criminal charges into two broad categories: felonies—offenses punishable by more than one year in state prison—and misdemeanors—offenses punishable by up to one year in county jail. But that distinction understates the real-world consequences. A misdemeanor conviction can trigger professional license revocation, immigration consequences, CPL loss, and employment bars just as devastating as a felony sentence. Both require aggressive defense from the moment of arraignment.
Our criminal defense practice covers the full spectrum of felony and misdemeanor charges in Michigan state courts—from assault and weapons offenses to OWI, drug crimes, domestic violence, theft, and white-collar matters. We investigate every case as if it's going to trial, challenge every weakness in the prosecution's evidence, and pursue every available avenue for dismissal, reduction, or acquittal.
Felony Defense
When a conviction means state prison, loss of civil rights, and a permanent record—the stakes demand more than a public defender and a plea deal.
Michigan felonies range from Class A (life imprisonment) to Class G (up to 2 years), with a complex sentencing guidelines system that prosecutors use to push defendants toward plea agreements before they understand their options. A felony conviction strips you of your right to vote, possess firearms, hold professional licenses, and in many cases, maintain employment. For non-citizens, a felony conviction triggers mandatory deportation proceedings.
Common felony charges we defend: assault with intent to do great bodily harm, assault with a dangerous weapon (felonious assault), weapons offenses, drug possession and trafficking, home invasion, felony OWI (3rd offense or injury), domestic violence (felony), identity theft, fraud, embezzlement, and criminal sexual conduct.
Our felony defense approach: We begin with a complete review of the charging documents, affidavit of probable cause, and all available evidence. We identify constitutional violations—unlawful searches, improper identification procedures, Miranda violations—that can result in suppression of evidence or dismissal. We retain independent experts when forensic evidence is central to the case, and we prepare a full trial defense even when a plea resolution is being negotiated.
Michigan's sentencing guidelines create pressure to plead guilty and accept "guidelines sentences." But guidelines are a starting point—not a ceiling. Substantial assistance departures, sentencing variances, and alternative sentencing options are available in the right cases. We evaluate every angle before recommending any resolution, because a conviction is forever.
Misdemeanor Defense
Don't let "just a misdemeanor" become a permanent career-ending conviction—misdemeanors have consequences that follow you for life.
Michigan misdemeanors carry up to 93 days (simple misdemeanor) or one year (high court misdemeanor) in county jail, fines, probation, and a permanent criminal record. For professionals—nurses, teachers, CDL drivers, contractors, security workers, real estate agents—a misdemeanor conviction often triggers automatic license suspension, reporting requirements, and career consequences that dwarf the criminal sentence itself.
Common misdemeanor charges we defend: OWI/DUI (1st and 2nd offense), domestic violence (1st offense), assault and battery, petty theft and retail fraud, disorderly conduct, trespass, OUIL/UBAL, drug possession (small quantities), and CPL violations including failure to disclose.
Protecting professional licenses: Many clients care less about jail time than about keeping their license. We coordinate misdemeanor defense with professional license defense—pursuing dismissals, non-public dispositions, diversion programs, and creative sentencing structures that avoid triggering automatic reporting requirements or mandatory revocation provisions. For CDL holders, we defend against convictions that would terminate commercial driving privileges. For healthcare workers, we pursue outcomes that satisfy licensing boards without creating a public record.
Michigan offers expungement (set-aside) for most misdemeanors under MCL 780.621, but only after waiting periods have passed and subject to eligibility restrictions. It's far better to fight the charge and avoid the conviction entirely. We evaluate every misdemeanor case for dismissal, reduction to non-criminal infractions, diversion, and alternative disposition options that protect your record from the outset.
Frequently Asked Questions
What you need to know about felony and misdemeanor charges in Michigan
Criminal Charges FAQ
Michigan divides criminal offenses by the maximum possible sentence and where you serve it.
- Felonies: Punishable by more than one year—served in state prison. Felonies strip you of voting rights, firearm rights, and professional licenses.
- High Court Misdemeanors: Punishable by up to 2 years—sometimes served in state prison despite the "misdemeanor" label.
- Misdemeanors: Punishable by up to 93 days or 1 year in county jail, fines, and probation.
- Civil Infractions: Non-criminal violations with fines only—no jail time, no criminal record.
Both felonies and misdemeanors create permanent criminal records visible to employers, landlords, licensing boards, and immigration authorities. The goal is always to avoid conviction entirely or reduce to the lowest possible offense classification.
Arraignment is your first court appearance where charges are formally read and you enter a plea. It also determines bail conditions. Pleading not guilty at arraignment:
- Preserves all your rights and defenses
- Gives your attorney time to review evidence
- Allows discovery of police reports, bodycam footage, and lab results
- Creates negotiating leverage with the prosecutor
Arraignment is not the time to explain your side of the story—to the judge or anyone else in the courtroom. Say nothing beyond your plea. Contact an attorney before your arraignment if at all possible.
Potentially yes—and the answer depends on your license type, the offense, and how it's resolved.
Michigan licensing boards have broad discretion to discipline licensees for criminal convictions. Common license types at risk:
- Healthcare (RN, LPN, MD, PA): Any conviction involving fraud, dishonesty, or substance abuse can trigger investigation by LARA's Bureau of Professional Licensing.
- CDL Drivers: OWI, reckless driving, and certain drug convictions trigger mandatory federal disqualification periods.
- Teachers: Domestic violence, assault, and drug convictions can result in certification revocation by the Michigan Department of Education.
- CPL Holders: Any felony or qualifying misdemeanor triggers automatic CPL suspension or revocation.
- Real Estate, Insurance, Contractors: Fraud, theft, and dishonesty convictions require mandatory reporting and can result in license suspension.
We coordinate criminal defense with professional license protection from the outset—pursuing dispositions that minimize or eliminate licensing consequences, not just criminal penalties.
Michigan's Clean Slate Act (2021) expanded set-aside eligibility significantly—but expungement is not automatic and not available for all offenses.
- Misdemeanors: Eligible after 3 years from sentencing (up to unlimited misdemeanors under Clean Slate provisions)
- Felonies: Eligible after 7 years; up to 3 felonies can be set aside (with restrictions)
- Automatic expungement: Certain offenses are automatically set aside after 7-10 years if no new convictions
- Not eligible: Life offense felonies, CSC 1st/2nd degree, DUI causing death or serious injury, certain domestic violence felonies
A set-aside removes the conviction from public records and restores most civil rights—but does not erase the record from law enforcement databases. It's always better to avoid the conviction than to seek expungement later. But where a conviction exists, set-aside can be life-changing.
That decision should never be made before a thorough investigation of the prosecution's case—and it should never be driven by fear or pressure.
Prosecutors offer plea deals when they:
- Have evidence they know is vulnerable to challenge
- Want to avoid the cost and uncertainty of trial
- Need your cooperation for a larger investigation
- Face limitations in witness availability or credibility
We evaluate every plea offer against what a jury is likely to do with the actual evidence—not what the prosecutor claims it is. Sometimes a plea that avoids a felony conviction or preserves a professional license is the right outcome. Other times, trial is the only path to an acceptable result. The decision belongs to you, made with complete information, after we've done the work to understand the real strength of the prosecution's case.