Michigan Criminal Defense Attorneys

At DearLegal, we connect you with experienced Michigan criminal defense attorneys who navigate the state’s indeterminate sentencing structure, HYTA (Holmes Youthful Trainee Act) for young defendants, the Clean Slate Acts of 2020/2021 (auto-expungement effective 2023), and recreational marijuana under the MRTMA. Whether your case is in Wayne (Detroit), Oakland, Macomb, Kent (Grand Rapids), Washtenaw (Ann Arbor), or anywhere across Michigan’s 83 counties, we’ll match you with the right attorney — at no cost to get started.

No. Politely decline and ask for an attorney. Michigan State Police, Detroit PD, county sheriffs, and city police use trained interrogation. Anything you say is admissible. Invoke your Fifth Amendment right to silence and Mich. Const. Art. I, § 17 right against self-incrimination.

Yes. Michigan misdemeanors carry up to 93 days, 1 year, or 2 years depending on the offense, plus fines under M.C.L. § 769.5. HYTA (M.C.L. § 762.11) can result in no conviction being entered for eligible defendants 17-23. Delayed Sentence under M.C.L. § 771.1 is similar for non-HYTA defendants. DV and OWI convictions trigger major collateral consequences.

State cases go through Michigan Circuit Court (felonies) or District Court (misdemeanors). Federal cases go to U.S. District Court for the Eastern (Detroit, Flint, Bay City, Port Huron, Ann Arbor) or Western (Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Marquette) District of Michigan under the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines. Federal cases commonly involve I-94/I-75 drug trafficking, Canadian-border offenses, § 922(g) firearm cases, and federal fraud.

Michigan plea agreements under M.C.R. 6.302 are negotiated between the County Prosecutor and defense. Pleas can include charge reductions, HYTA (M.C.L. § 762.11), Delayed Sentence (§ 771.1), Cobbs evaluation (Cobbs plea with judicial sentence indication), drug court entry, and stipulated sentence recommendations.

Yes — Michigan’s Clean Slate Acts (2020/2021 PA) are among the broadest in the country. Automatic expungement of many misdemeanors after 7 years and certain felonies after 10 years (effective April 11, 2023). Petition-based expungement for many more offenses, including up to 3 felonies and unlimited misdemeanors (with limited exclusions for sex offenses, terrorism, certain serious violent felonies). HYTA dismissals result in automatic expungement.

Michigan handles juveniles under 17 (before 2021) and 18 (Raise the Age effective 2021) in juvenile court under M.C.L. § 712A. Juvenile records are confidential and can be expunged under M.C.L. § 712A.18e — Michigan recently expanded juvenile expungement significantly. Designated juvenile case (waiver to adult court) under M.C.L. § 712A.4 for 14+ for serious felonies.

Michigan OWI (Operating While Intoxicated) under M.C.L. § 257.625 uses .08 BAC, plus Super Drunk (.17+) and OUIL/OWVI. Implied consent under M.C.L. § 257.625a — refusal triggers automatic 1-year license suspension. Mandatory IID for repeat offenders and high-BAC first offenses. Third OWI in lifetime is a felony.

Why Do You Need a Criminal Defense Attorney in Michigan?

Michigan uses indeterminate sentencing under M.C.L. § 769.8 — the court imposes a minimum and maximum, with the Parole Board determining release after the minimum. Felonies carry statute-specific maximums (commonly 5, 10, 15, 20 years, life). First-degree murder is mandatory life without parole (Michigan abolished the death penalty in 1846 — the first English-speaking jurisdiction to do so). Michigan has Habitual Offender enhancement under M.C.L. § 769.10-12, dramatically increasing maximums (2nd habitual: 150%, 3rd: 200%, 4th: life eligible). The Holmes Youthful Trainee Act (HYTA, M.C.L. § 762.11) is uniquely valuable — defendants 17-23 charged with certain offenses can be sentenced as Trainees, with no conviction entered upon successful completion. Michigan legalized recreational marijuana in 2018 (Proposal 1, codified as MRTMA, M.C.L. § 333.27951 et seq.) — adults 21+ can possess up to 2.5 oz in public, 10 oz at home. Michigan’s Clean Slate Acts (2020 PA 187-193 and 2021 PA 81-91) significantly expanded expungement under M.C.L. § 780.621 — automatic expungement of many misdemeanors and certain felonies after waiting periods, effective April 2023. Petition-based expungement for many more offenses. Michigan prosecutors plea-bargain extensively.

When Do You Need a Criminal Defense Attorney in Michigan?

Our network includes Michigan criminal defense attorneys who handle every kind of case, including:

Types of Criminal Defense Cases in Michigan

From the moment you connect with a Michigan criminal defense attorney, they go to work protecting your claim. The most common case types we handle:

Talking to MSP, Detroit PD, sheriffs, or any Michigan officer without an attorney

Consenting to a search of your car, home, or phone

Missing a Michigan court date — bench warrants and bond forfeiture follow

Posting about the case on social media — Michigan prosecutors subpoena platforms

Deleting messages or photos from your phone — Tampering with Evidence (M.C.L. § 750.483a) is a felony

Accepting the prosecutor’s first plea offer without exploring HYTA, Delayed Sentence, Cobbs evaluation, drug court, or charge reduction

Talking to MSP, Detroit PD, sheriffs, or any Michigan officer without an attorney

Consenting to a search of your car, home, or phone

Missing a Michigan court date — bench warrants and bond forfeiture follow

Posting about the case on social media — Michigan prosecutors subpoena platforms

Deleting messages or photos from your phone — Tampering with Evidence (M.C.L. § 750.483a) is a felony

Accepting the prosecutor’s first plea offer without exploring HYTA, Delayed Sentence, Cobbs evaluation, drug court, or charge reduction

Common Michigan Criminal Defense Mistakes

Even a small misstep can hurt your case. Here’s what to avoid:

How Much Do Michigan Criminal Defense Attorneys Cost?

Flat Fee

Most matters are billed as a flat fee per petition or filing — fee depends on case complexity.

Criminal defense attorneys in Michigan work on hourly or flat-fee retainers — contingency fees are prohibited in criminal cases under M.R.P.C. 1.5(d) and ABA Model Rule 1.5(d). Misdemeanors and most felonies are flat-fee; complex cases use hourly billing. The Michigan Indigent Defense Commission (MIDC) and county public defenders represent indigent defendants — recent state-level reforms have improved indigent defense statewide.

What Can Your Michigan Criminal Defense Compensation Include?

Charge Dismissal

Outright dismissal through motion to quash, motion to suppress, speedy trial under M.C.R. 6.004 / People v. Williams (180-day rule for incarcerated defendants), or prosecutor motion to dismiss.

Charge Reduction

Reduction from felony to misdemeanor, from higher-penalty felony to lower, removal of Habitual Offender notice or Felony Firearm enhancement.

HYTA / Delayed Sentence / Cobbs Evaluation

Holmes Youthful Trainee Act (M.C.L. § 762.11) for 17-23 year olds — no conviction entered. Delayed Sentence (§ 771.1). Cobbs evaluation (People v. Cobbs, 1993) — judge indicates sentence in advance, allowing informed plea. Drug court, mental health court, veterans court.

Plea Agreement

Negotiated resolution under M.C.R. 6.302. Includes charge reductions, dismissed counts, recommended sentences, and probation in lieu of incarceration.

Trial Acquittal

Not guilty verdict by Michigan jury or judge. Michigan criminal juries are 12 for felonies, 6 for misdemeanors, and must be unanimous (Mich. Const. Art. I, § 14).

Post-Conviction Relief

Michigan Motion for Relief from Judgment (M.C.R. 6.500 et seq.) for IAC, newly discovered evidence, constitutional violations. Restrictive rules on successor motions (M.C.R. 6.502(G)).

!!!

DearLegal is a legal referral service, not a law firm. We connect individuals with licensed attorneys who can evaluate their case. Nothing on this page constitutes legal advice. Results vary based on individual circumstances.

Michigan Criminal Defense Attorneys

Why Do You Need a Criminal Defense Attorney in Michigan?

When Do You Need a Criminal Defense Attorney in Michigan?

Types of Criminal Defense Cases in Michigan

Common Michigan Criminal Defense Mistakes

How Much Do Michigan Criminal Defense Attorneys Cost?

What Can Your Michigan Criminal Defense Compensation Include?

Ready when you are.

Your help is just

a minute away.

Start your case

in minutes.