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NachtLaw Employment Law | Education Law | Criminal Defense

Call: 866-965-2488
Español: 888-697-2578

NachtLaw Employment Law | Education Law | Criminal Defense
Call: 866-965-2488 | Español: 888-697-2578
NachtLaw, P.C.
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Call:
866-965-2488

Español:
888-697-2578

Good Judgment. Wise Counsel. Aggressive Representation.

Federal and State Criminal Defense Lawyers Who Get Results

When you feel like you’re under attack, it’s important to have a powerful attorney in your corner who knows what it takes to win. With over 25 years of experience and education that extend far beyond our credentials, all of our criminal defense attorneys are well-versed and licensed in local and federal courts. Our lawyers also handle serious cases in any part of the country. We get to know our clients’ criminal cases thoroughly with a process that has been proven to be successful time and time again. When we get involved early, we get results early, sometimes shutting down the investigation before the prosecutor makes a formal charge. Because we understand every detail, it is difficult to surprise us. Through this method, we are able to formulate an impenetrable defense. Where our entire practice is structured around unmatched client service, we are able to defend against a range of charges in Michigan or Ohio, including:

Criminal Defense Services

In criminal cases, the difference between winning and losing is often measured in years, not dollars. The criminal defense team at NachtLaw is there to stand up for you from trial and appeal to precharge investigations by federal agencies or local law enforcement.

Aggressive Representation For All Crimes

For those accused of workplace crimes, we have an excellent record of avoiding charges and minimizing the impact on your career. We often represent professionals in licensing and disciplinary proceedings. Whether you are facing criminal charges in state or federal court, we have the skills and experience to protect your rights and get results.

The Unspoken Consequences Of A Felony Criminal Charge

Success often depends on much more than what happens in the courtroom. We develop criminal defense strategies to fit your individual circumstances. Sometimes our clients come to us before an accusation becomes a formal charge. We understand that, even in this preliminary stage, a mere accusation of wrongdoing can turn a person’s life upside down, with devastating effects on family, career, reputation or immigration status. For accusations of corporate fraud or other white collar crimes, a special sensitivity is called for. When the circumstances require a client to take responsibility for wrongful conduct, our criminal defense lawyers have the skill, experience and flexibility to get results and minimize the impact of a felony or misdemeanor.

Fighting For Your Civil Rights

In a criminal prosecution, it may feel like your constitutional rights are ignored. For instance, if your charge is the product of a “bad stop” (no probable cause), a “bad search” (no warrant or another basis) or an involuntary confession, our Constitution requires that the case be dismissed. We will demand your constitutional rights be respected. Our criminal defense attorneys will fight for your rights and challenge illegal police practices. When the police go too far, we fight back. When false accusations result in a criminal charge, we ask the tough questions and bring out the truth. When justice isn’t done at the trial court, we take the cases on appeal and fight for reversals.

Frequently Asked Questions About Criminal Charges

Suddenly being thrown into the criminal justice system is scary and confusing for most people. Here are some of the most common questions our criminal defense lawyers hear:

What is the difference between state and federal crimes?

Briefly, state crimes are investigated and prosecuted by local or state authorities and involve violations of state laws. Federal crimes involve violations of federal laws and are typically investigated by federal agencies, like the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Some offenses may overlap in such a way the defendants face charges in both state and federal court.

What is an arraignment?

The arraignment is the initial court appearance where you will be informed of the official charges against you, the potential penalties and your legal rights. You will then be allowed to enter a plea.

If applicable, the issue of bond can be addressed and the next court date will be scheduled. That next court date will usually be a pretrial conference or hearing.

What is a pretrial conference or pretrial hearing in a criminal matter?

A pretrial conference or hearing puts the judge, the prosecution and the defense together in one place so that they can continue to move the case forward. There are no predefined steps, and hearings can take anywhere from minutes to hours.

Many times, pretrial conferences are used by both the prosecution and the defense to try to resolve the case early through either a dismissal or a plea agreement. Failing that, the pretrial conference or hearing can be used to explore each side’s position, set time frames for the discovery process, move motions forward and establish trial dates. There may be multiple pretrial conferences or hearings in complex cases.

Do the police need a warrant to search me or my property?

The police cannot search your property or person without a warrant – unless certain exceptions apply.

The police may search you or your property without a warrant when:

  • You give consent for the search upon being asked
  • There is evidence of an illegal act in plain view, such as drugs lying on the seat of your car
  • The search is done incident to an arrest, after which your person may be searched for weapons and your home or car for evidence that might otherwise be lost or destroyed

In addition, a search is sometimes justified due to “exigent circumstances,” or a situation where a victim may be in immediate danger, evidence is about to be destroyed or the safety of the public as a whole is jeopardized.

How is sentencing determined after a conviction?

Both the state and federal governments have established minimum and maximum punishments for many crimes – and some crimes (especially at the federal level) have mandatory sentences.

Where there is leeway, the court will also consider any mitigating factors that tend to argue for leniency, as well as any aggravating factors that the prosecution may present to show that a stiffer sentence is warranted.

What happens in the bail process?

At your arraignment or initial court appearance, the judge will decide if you will be granted pretrial release. This means that you would be allowed to stay out of jail while your case is pending in exchange for either a promise to return for your court date (if released on your own recognizance) or a sum of money. This sum of money is known as bail and will be returned once your case is resolved.

If bail is set, you, your family member or a friend can then pay the full amount that has to be paid to secure your release or they can call a bail bondsman. They can pay a bail bondsman a small percentage of the full bail as the bondsman’s fee to secure your release, and the bondsman puts up the rest of the money.

Tough Michigan Criminal Defense Lawyers

Our firm has the experience and confidence that can make a difference when facing criminal charges in federal or state court. If you or a loved one has been accused of a crime, contact us to arrange an initial consultation and take the first step in standing up for your rights. From offices in Toledo, Ann Arbor, Traverse City and Birmingham, the attorneys of NachtLaw serve communities throughout Michigan and Ohio. Call us at 866-965-2488.