Victims of crime often suffer many forms of mental, emotional, and financial injury as a result of actions of others. Pursuing justice is often a daunting, intimidating process that can lead a crime victim to feel helpless. In Michigan, many people are unaware that crime victims have rights that are…
Persons who are not citizens of the United States often have trouble obtaining driver’s licenses in the State of Michigan. With the state of public transportation, the only way for persons to get from one destination to another is by automobile. If person cannot obtain a Michigan driver’s license, what…
The Urban Drug Court is a sentencing option for persons convicted of non violent crimes that occur in the city of Pontiac, Michigan. The residency of the Defendant does not have to be in Pontiac – just the non violent crime must have occurred there. A violent crime is defined as…
On July 30. 2013 the Michigan Supreme Court decided the case of the People of the State of Michigan v. Chandra Valencia Smith Anthony (docket number 145371). The Michigan Supreme Court held that “Michigan law requires a taking from the person or immediate presence of a victim to satisfy the…
Retail Fraud (also known as Shoplifting) is a crime committed by persons of all religious backgrounds, races, ethnicity, ages, and income level. Throughout the United States, over a half million retail fraud incidents occur each day. To combat retail fraud, many stores spend a lot of money in: employing loss…
There are a variety of reasons individuals experiment or become addicted to drugs, such as: social history, genetic disposition, use by friends and/or family members, income level, how the individual handles stress, etc. A list from most addictive to least addictive substances include: 1) Heroin – the most addictive substance. Users…
In most instances, talking to the police concerning a criminal accusation will not help the person being questioned and usually hurts them. Many people have an idea of a police officer or a detective as someone who has a balanced view, and will listen to both sides of the story fairly. The…
Daniel Hilf, of the law firm of Hilf & Hilf, PLC is a frequent Avvo contributor, and has received awards from Avvo for his outstanding contributions as a criminal defense lawyer. He currently has an “superb” rating with Avvo (Avvo’s highest rating level). Mr. Hilf takes great pride in the large…
A person convicted of a drug possession offense in Michigan may qualify to have his or her record expunged at the time of sentencing. In Michigan (for non federal cases) an individual who either pleads guilty or is found guilty of possession or use of a controlled substance, or possession…
In Michigan a Defendant sentenced under the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act (HYTA) is potentially subject to probation, probation with a jail sentence,or a prison sentence. If the Defendant is sentenced to prison under HYTA, he or she can be sentenced to a flat prison sentence of up to 3 years.…