Felony Charges – Northville Defense Attorneys
In the State of Michigan, felony charges are classified as crimes that are punishable by more than one year in prison. These crimes are more serious than misdemeanor offenses which carry a maximum penalty of one year. When many people hear the term “felon,” they automatically assume this means a serious criminal such as a murderer, gangbanger, bank robber, etc. While this term is applicable to these individuals, felonies may also involve a good person making a single bad choice. Furthermore, many felonies involve victimless crimes, and believe it or not, felonies can even be committed by mistake.
There are many traps and pitfalls within our complex legal system that can land someone into huge trouble even for something such as simple possession of a controlled substance, or being in the wrong place at the wrong time. In many cases, an overzealous law enforcement officer, prosecutor, and/or judge can significantly alter someone’s life forever, especially when they don’t have proper legal defense.
If you, or someone you know is being charged with a felony offense in Michigan, it’s paramount to work with an experienced criminal defense attorney that can help you navigate these complex laws and protect your future. Read more about the various types of felony charges below.
Felony Theft
There are two main classifications of felony theft in Michigan. The first classification applies to individuals charged with stealing property valued between $1,000-$19,999. The second, more serious classification of felony theft involves the theft of property valued at $20,000 or more.
Punishments for felony theft depend on several factors. For instance, individuals charged with the theft of property valued between $1000-$19,999 may face fines up to $10,000 (or 3x the value of the goods stolen) and/or a sentence up to five years in prison.
On the other hand, theft of property valued at $20,000+ carries penalties up to 10 years in prison and/or a $15,000 fine (or 3x the amount of stolen property).
It’s also important to note, prior theft convictions play a role in the severity of these sentences. It’s vital to hire an experienced attorney to ensure you aren’t excessively charged for this offense. The theft lawyers at Kelly & Kelly have the knowledge and expertise to defend the rights of those charged with felony theft, and other criminal offenses.
Embezzlement
In Michigan, the crime of embezzlement focuses on a person in a position of trust who uses that position to obtain a financial benefit without approval or knowledge of an employer or principal. Very often, good people charged with this offense simply made a mistake; but, big misunderstandings can quickly snowball into even bigger legal problems if you don’t take immediate action to protect yourself.
Felonious Assault
Felonious assault is a very serious criminal charge that carries heavy penalties. This form of assault generally involves a weapon or an object that may be used as a weapon. The charge becomes more serious when the felonious assault charge involves a firearm, occurs on school grounds, or it’s determined there was intent to cause serious harm. To put this in perspective, according to Michigan law,
“… (1) a person who assaults another person with a gun, revolver, pistol, knife, iron bar, club, brass knuckles, or other dangerous weapon without intending to commit murder or to inflict great bodily harm less than murder is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 4 years or a fine of not more than $2,000.00, or both.
(2) A person who violates subsection (1) in a weapon free school zone is guilty of a felony punishable by 1 or more of the following: (a) Imprisonment for not more than 4 years. (b) Community service for not more than 150 hours. (c) A fine of not more than $6,000.00.”
— Michigan Legislature, 2017, THE MICHIGAN PENAL CODE Section 750.82
In short, if you’re charged with felonious assault, or assault with a dangerous weapon in Michigan, you could face fines up to $6,000, and a 4 year prison sentence. These penalties may be enhanced further depending on prior convictions.
Felony Charges – Northville Defense Attorneys
In the State of Michigan, felony charges are classified as crimes that are punishable by more than one year in prison. These crimes are more serious than misdemeanor offenses which carry a maximum penalty of one year. When many people hear the term “felon,” they automatically assume this means a serious criminal such as a murderer, gangbanger, bank robber, etc. While this term is applicable to these individuals, felonies may also involve a good person making a single bad choice. Furthermore, many felonies involve victimless crimes, and believe it or not, felonies can even be committed by mistake.
There are many traps and pitfalls within our complex legal system that can land someone into huge trouble even for something such as simple possession of a controlled substance, or being in the wrong place at the wrong time. In many cases, an overzealous law enforcement officer, prosecutor, and/or judge can significantly alter someone’s life forever, especially when they don’t have proper legal defense.
If you, or someone you know is being charged with a felony offense in Michigan, it’s paramount to work with an experienced criminal defense attorney that can help you navigate these complex laws and protect your future. Read more about the various types of felony charges below.
Felony Theft
There are two main classifications of felony theft in Michigan. The first classification applies to individuals charged with stealing property valued between $1,000-$19,999. The second, more serious classification of felony theft involves the theft of property valued at $20,000 or more.
Punishments for felony theft depend on several factors. For instance, individuals charged with the theft of property valued between $1000-$19,999 may face fines up to $10,000 (or 3x the value of the goods stolen) and/or a sentence up to five years in prison.
On the other hand, theft of property valued at $20,000+ carries penalties up to 10 years in prison and/or a $15,000 fine (or 3x the amount of stolen property).
It’s also important to note, prior theft convictions play a role in the severity of these sentences. It’s vital to hire an experienced attorney to ensure you aren’t excessively charged for this offense. The theft lawyers at Kelly & Kelly have the knowledge and expertise to defend the rights of those charged with felony theft, and other criminal offenses.
Embezzlement
In Michigan, the crime of embezzlement focuses on a person in a position of trust who uses that position to obtain a financial benefit without approval or knowledge of an employer or principal. Very often, good people charged with this offense simply made a mistake; but, big misunderstandings can quickly snowball into even bigger legal problems if you don’t take immediate action to protect yourself.
Felonious Assault
Felonious assault is a very serious criminal charge that carries heavy penalties. This form of assault generally involves a weapon or an object that may be used as a weapon. The charge becomes more serious when the felonious assault charge involves a firearm, occurs on school grounds, or it’s determined there was intent to cause serious harm. To put this in perspective, according to Michigan law,
“… (1) a person who assaults another person with a gun, revolver, pistol, knife, iron bar, club, brass knuckles, or other dangerous weapon without intending to commit murder or to inflict great bodily harm less than murder is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 4 years or a fine of not more than $2,000.00, or both.
(2) A person who violates subsection (1) in a weapon free school zone is guilty of a felony punishable by 1 or more of the following: (a) Imprisonment for not more than 4 years. (b) Community service for not more than 150 hours. (c) A fine of not more than $6,000.00.”
— Michigan Legislature, 2017, THE MICHIGAN PENAL CODE Section 750.82
In short, if you’re charged with felonious assault, or assault with a dangerous weapon in Michigan, you could face fines up to $6,000, and a 4 year prison sentence. These penalties may be enhanced further depending on prior convictions.
