When I recently had an issue at the airport, I decided to call Paul on the weekend. He called me back on a Sunday! He dealt with my issue without me having to fly back to Michigan and got it dismissed. Until you go through the court system especially for the first time, you don't have a sense for how harrowing it can be. - E.W.
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Recent Successes and Testimonials
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Recent Successes and Testimonials
Read MorePaul,
Thank you for guiding me through one of the worst events of my life. I hope I never see you again. (I mean that as nicely as possible!)
- Ms. G., OWI Case
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Recent Successes and Testimonials
Read MorePaul’s hard work at trial showed my ex-girlfriend lied and saved me from prison.
- Mr. G.B., Oakland County Felonious Assault
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Recent Successes and Testimonials
Read MoreI was arrested for drunk driving and possession of a controlled substance (Vicodin). Paul worked hard on the case and kept the felony off my record and got the drunk driving case reduced so that I kept my driver’s license and my job. He really cared about helping me. - J.T., Wayne County
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Recent Successes and Testimonials
Read MoreMy son was charged with two serious felonies for home invasion. Paul worked long and hard on the case and was able to negotiate a deal so that all of the charges were dismissed after my son completed probation. He is now in college without a criminal record.
- Mr. T., Oakland County
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Recent Successes and Testimonials
Read MoreFor more testimonials, please click to review our Testimonials page.
criminal defense glossary
Glossary of Criminal Defense Terms
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z #
P
Panel: (1) In appellate cases, a group of judges (usually three) assigned to decide the case; (2) In the jury selection process, the group of potential jurors.
Parties: Plaintiffs and defendants (petitioners and respondents) to lawsuits, also known as appellants and appellees in appeals, and their lawyers.
Personal recognizance: In criminal proceedings, the pretrial release of a defendant without bail upon his or her promise to return to court. (See also recognizance.)
Petit jury (or trial jury): A group of citizens who hear the evidence presented by both sides at trial and determine the facts in dispute. Federal criminal juries consist of 12 persons.
Petty offense: Misdemeanor punishable by six months or less in prison.
Plea: in a criminal case, the defendant's statement pleading guilty or not guilty in answer to charges presented.
Precedent: A court decision in an earlier case with facts and law similar to a dispute currently before a court. Precedent will ordinarily govern the decision of a later similar case, unless a party can show that it was wrongly decided or that it differed in some significant way.
Pretrial conference: A meeting of the judge and lawyers to discuss which matters should be presented to the jury, to review evidence and witnesses, to set a timetable, and to discuss the settlement of the case.
Probation: A sentencing alternative to imprisonment in which the court releases convicted defendants under supervision as long as certain conditions are observed.
Procedure: The rules for the conduct of a lawsuit; there are rules of civil, criminal, evidence, bankruptcy, and appellate procedure.
Pro se: A Latin term meaning "on one's own behalf"; refers to people representing their own cases without attorney representation.
Prosecute: To charge someone with a crime. A prosecutor tries a criminal case on behalf of the government.
Proxy: The instrument authorizing one person to represent, act, and vote for another at a shareholders' meeting of a corporation.
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