If you are accused of a crime in Troy, speak to an experienced criminal defense lawyer to understand the legal options that are available to you.What Is a Criminal Defense Lawyer?
A criminal defense lawyer is a lawyer who works to defend individuals, organizations, and entities who have been accused of committing a crime. Generally, these attorneys are experienced in handling a wide variety of cases, both misdemeanor and felony, as well as a wide variety of crimes, including:
In addition to the above-listed crimes, criminal defense lawyers also help their clients to appeal a verdict or sentence, and represent them when they have been accused of violating the terms of their probation or parole.How Can a Criminal Defense Lawyer Help You?
While television often focuses on litigation, criminal defense lawyers do far more for their clients than representing them in court, though that is certainly a service they provide. Here are some other services your criminal defense lawyer will provide for you:
How Are Sentences Determined in Michigan?
Michigan’s felony sentence structure is described by the State Bar as indeterminate and set by all three branches of government:
In 1994, the state established a sentencing commission, and in 1998 it introduced statutory sentencing guidelines to assist judges in developing appropriate minimum terms. These guidelines were put in place to provide protection to the public, to punish crimes against a person more severely than other offenses, establish provisions in sentences for those who are habitual offenders, and demand sentences that are appropriate both for the seriousness of the crime, as well as the offender’s prior criminal record. The guidelines also aim to reduce sentencing disparities except with regard to offense and offender characteristics so that those committing similar crimes would receive similar sentences.
In establishing the guidelines, the commission first had to identify and categorize more than 700 felony offenses. The categories for felonies are as follows:
The commission then ranked the offenses into nine levels of severity, with the highest level being murder. The other eight levels were labeled class A through class H, representing a descending order of severity, and established sentencing guidelines for each of those levels, based on actual sentencing practices from the bench, but with increased sentences for habitual offenders. The guidelines also consider certain circumstances that may also enhance the sentences, including:
In 2015, the Michigan Supreme Court rendered the mandatory sentencing guidelines as advisory only, stating that mandating the sentencing was a violation of the Sixth Amendment. However, the court must still take the applicable guidelines into account when determining sentencing.Troy Takes Crime Seriously
In 2017, Troy was rated the second safest city in Michigan among cities with a population of more than 75,000 people based on statistics provided by the FBI. The only similarly sized city with a lower crime rate was Farmington Hills. Although violent crimes such as homicides, rapes, robberies, and aggravated assaults increased in 2016 when compared to the year before, a Troy Police Department sergeant stated that the crime rate remains stable. The large number of retail fraud cases in the city is the result of two major shopping centers, the sergeant noted, and the large number of fraud cases could be attributed to the several banks and credit institutions headquartered here.
Because Troy wants to maintain its status as a safe city, its authorities are going to prosecute crimes to the fullest extent of the law. Don’t try to fight criminal charges by yourself.Your Next Step: Call Our Troy Criminal Defense Attorneys
If you are accused of committing a crime, you have a lot on the line. Your reputation could be damaged, as well as your family relationships. Your rights could be violated during the investigation and arrest. Your ability to work or to pursue certain careers could be jeopardized. Your finances could be imperiled and a conviction could cost you your freedom. The best time to hire an experienced criminal defense lawyer is as soon as possible.
Contact us through our confidential email form or at (248) 451-2200 for a case evaluation and a consultation today.
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Disclaimer: The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established. Please be advised that the results achieved in any given case depend upon the exact facts and circumstances of that case. Michigan Defense Law cannot guarantee a specific result in any legal matter. Any testimonial or case result listed on this site is based on an actual legal case and represents the results achieved in that particular case, and does not constitute a guarantee, warranty or prediction of the outcome of any other legal matter. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service.