Paul J. Tafelski Blog

If you have been convicted of a felony in Michigan, you may have lost your right to possess a firearm under state and federal law. However, under MCL 750.224f(9), Michigan’s felon-in-possession statute does not apply to a conviction that has been expunged or set aside unless the expungement order expressly provides that the person may not possess a firearm or ammunition.  At Michigan Defense Law, Paul J. Tafelski is an experienced Oakland County expungement attorney who helps clients with both expungement petitions and gun rights restoration. Our team can evaluate your eligibility and guide you through the process. Contact us...

OWI (Operating While Intoxicated) and OWVI (Operating While Visibly Impaired) are different offenses under the Michigan Vehicle Code. OWI is not limited to a BAC reading alone. In Michigan, prosecutors can establish the offense either by showing an unlawful bodily alcohol content or by proving the driver was under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a combination of the two. OWVI is the lesser offense and requires proof that, because of alcohol, drugs, or another intoxicating substance, the person’s ability to drive was visibly impaired. This difference affects penalties, points, and license sanctions. At Michigan Defense Law, Oakland County criminal...

A domestic violence charge in Oakland County does not have to define the rest of your life. Michigan law provides several paths to recovery, including deferred sentencing under Michigan Compiled Laws (MCL) 769.4a, expungement through Michigan’s Clean Slate Law, and counseling programs that can lead to a dismissal. However, the penalties for a conviction are serious, and the long-term consequences can affect employment, custody, housing, and firearm rights. At Michigan Defense Law, Oakland County criminal defense attorney Paul J. Tafelski represents individuals charged with domestic violence throughout the county. Paul J. Tafelski has defended hundreds of clients from arraignment through...

A felony conviction does not automatically disqualify you from every airport job in Michigan. The answer depends on the type of felony, how long ago it occurred, and which position you are applying for. Some felonies permanently bar you from working for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), while others only result in a temporary disqualification period. Many non-TSA positions at airports, including retail, food service, and airline customer service roles, have separate hiring standards that may be more flexible. At Michigan Defense Law, Oakland County felony defense attorney Paul J. Tafelski helps people facing felony charges understand how a conviction...

Police can question a child without parental consent in many situations in Oakland County and throughout Michigan. The rules change depending on whether the child is a witness, a victim, or a suspect in custody. When a child is arrested or not free to leave, Miranda protections apply, and the child’s age must be considered when determining whether the questioning was voluntary. At Michigan Defense Law, Oakland County criminal defense attorney Paul J. Tafelski represents parents and defendants facing charges that affect their families. Whether you are dealing with police interviews of your child or concerns about how charges may...

Letters of reference are one of the most important pieces of evidence in a Michigan driver’s license restoration case. The Michigan Department of State’s Office of Hearings and Administrative Oversight (OHAO) requires 3 to 6 notarized community support letters from people who can speak from firsthand knowledge about your relationship, your substance use/sobriety history, and (when applicable) your treatment or support involvement. At Michigan Defense Law, Oakland County license restoration attorney Paul J. Tafelski helps clients throughout the state prepare strong petitions and avoid costly mistakes. Our criminal defense lawyers review every letter, every document, and every detail before your...

A license restoration lawyer helps you prepare the required documentation, build a persuasive case for sobriety, and represent you at your hearing before the Michigan Secretary of State’s Office of Hearings and Administrative Oversight (OHAO). Without legal guidance, many petitioners fail to meet the strict “clear and convincing” evidence standard under Mich. Admin. Code R 257.313 (“Rule 13”). Drivers in Oakland County who have lost their license face a process that demands careful preparation. At Michigan Defense Law, Oakland County Criminal Defense attorney Paul J. Tafelski assists clients in Bloomfield Hills and across Michigan to restore driving privileges. Our license...

Witnesses with direct, ongoing knowledge of your sobriety are the most persuasive people you can bring to a Michigan driver’s license restoration hearing. People who spend significant time with you (close family members, coworkers, AA sponsors, or others who knew you when you were drinking and have watched you change) carry the most weight with hearing officers. The right witnesses can strengthen your case considerably, while the wrong ones can undermine it. At Michigan Defense Law, Oakland County license restoration attorney Paul J. Tafelski has guided clients through the Michigan Secretary of State’s Office of Hearings and Administrative Oversight (OHAO)...

Restoring your driver’s license after an OWI-related revocation in Michigan typically requires (1) waiting until you’re legally eligible, (2) submitting a complete hearing packet, and (3) proving sobriety at a Michigan Secretary of State OHAO hearing. OWI offenses are addressed under MCL 257.625, and revocations do not reinstate automatically; you must win a hearing. At Michigan Defense Law, Oakland County driver’s license restoration attorney Paul J. Tafelski helps clients in Bloomfield Hills and throughout the state navigate every stage of the license restoration process. Losing your ability to drive affects your work, your family, and your independence. Paul J. Tafelski...

Michigan drivers who lose their license after multiple alcohol-related driving convictions may face a license revocation under Michigan law. You generally must wait at least one year to become eligible to seek restoration, and in some situations, the waiting period can be longer (including five years). At the hearing, you must prove your case by clear and convincing evidence, including that any substance-use problem is under control and likely to remain under control. At Michigan Defense Law, Oakland County driver’s license restoration attorney Paul J. Tafelski helps clients in Bloomfield Hills and throughout Michigan prepare for license restoration hearings. Our...