Farmington Hills MI Criminal Defense Law Blog

In any criminal case involving accusations of drug crimes, particularly cases involving allegations of drug manufacturing or drug distribution, it is vital the defense consider every angle possible when developing their defense strategy. In many cases involving crimes such as drug possession, the defense could argue mistake or negotiate a plea. However, in some cases highlighting important procedural errors made by police or prosecutors could strengthen the defendant's defense and help obtain the best possible outcome.

For example, a 33-year-old Michigan man was charged with manufacturing drugs following a police raid on a Bad Axe methamphetamine lab last February. The man is one of three men facing drug charges for the operation of the facility. This was reportedly the first ever methamphetamine lab bust in Huron County. The man's defense attorney has already made multiple attempts to limit the impact of a potential trial on his client.

Next to murder, rape is often perceived as the very worst crime that a person can be accused of committing in our society. In fact, sex crimes like rape are often viewed so harshly in our society that the mere accusation of rape is enough to destroy a person’s reputation and convict them in the eyes of the public. To the general public, and the news media, whether someone accused of a sex crime actually committed the crime is sometimes seemingly a secondary matter.

According to recent reports, a 27-year-old Michigan man from Lake Orion has been charged with multiple felony counts involving sex crimes. The man’s alleged crimes include four felony counts of first-degree rape and one count of sodomy. The young man is accused of traveling between Michigan and Oklahoma for sex with an underage girl. He has reportedly entered a plea of not guilty to all of the rape charges.

Sex crimes encompass a broad range of activities from statutory rape and obscenity to rape and criminal sexual assault. While it may seem like an impossible task, it is possible for individuals facing sex crimes charges to raise a successful criminal defense. The first step in a successful sex crimes defense is understanding the possible defense options.

Michigan readers may be familiar with the trial of the Former St. Thomas Aquinas Athletic Director in Saginaw County. The 72-year-old is accused of sexually abusing his great niece for nearly 15 years. He is charged with criminal sexual conduct against someone under 13-years-old and five counts of criminal sexual conduct by force. If the man is convicted he could face maximum sentence of life in prison. He has denied each claim of abuse alleged against him.

In the 1990s a number of federal laws were enacted in the name of enhancing public safety. Many of these new laws were directed at individuals convicted of sex crimes. The two most well known pieces of federal sex offender legislation were known as the Jacob Wetterling Act and Megan's Law. Together these two pieces of federal legislation created the national sex offender registries and the community notification laws for people convicted of sex crimes.

The Jacob Wetterling Crimes Against Children and Sex Offender Registration Act required every state, including Michigan, to create sex offender registration program. Sex offenders who fail to register can receive serious penalties including long prison sentences and hefty fines. Under the Sex Offender Registration Act, Michigan also makes information on sex offenders available to the public via the Michigan Public Sex Offender Registry website.