If you’re facing criminal charges in Clinton Township, you have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney, and exercising both now can matter more than almost anything else you do this week. Mihelich & Kavanaugh, PLC has defended clients throughout the Groesbeck Highway and the Clinton River area against charges ranging from traffic offenses to serious felonies, and we move quickly once you call, because evidence and witness memories don’t wait.
Your Rights Under Michigan Law
You are presumed innocent when you’re charged with a crime in Michigan, and you retain the right to remain silent and the right to legal representation throughout every stage of the process. Prosecutors and police are not obligated to explain your rights beyond a basic warning, and it’s easy to say something early on, even something meant to help your case, that ends up complicating it instead. Getting an attorney involved as soon as possible protects your options and often affects how the rest of the case unfolds, from bond conditions to how prosecutors initially evaluate the strength of their case.
Whether your case originates in Clinton Township or anywhere else in Macomb County, these constitutional protections apply from the moment of arrest. Many people mistakenly believe that not talking is the same as legally invoking the right to remain silent, but courts have generally required a clear, affirmative statement that you’re invoking that right and want an attorney before police are required to stop questioning.
How the Firm Approaches Criminal Defense
Case review comes first, always. Our team examines the evidence, the circumstances of your arrest, and any procedural missteps before recommending a path forward, since the strength of the prosecution’s case shapes every decision that follows. With experience across Macomb County’s courts, Michael Kavanaugh and our attorneys know what to expect from local prosecutors and how cases in this area typically move through the system, which helps us prepare thoroughly whether your case heads toward a negotiated resolution or a trial.
This client-first approach dates back to the firm’s founding in 1951 by Joseph E. Mihelich, who wanted clients to get real legal firepower without losing personal attention. In criminal defense work specifically, that means being reachable when something urgent comes up, whether that’s a bond hearing, a new development in the evidence, or simply a question that’s keeping you up at night.
What Sets Our Firm Apart
What sets our approach apart isn’t a gimmick, it’s consistency. You’ll work with the same attorney from your first phone call through the resolution of your case, rather than being passed between unfamiliar staff who need to be caught up every time you call. We return calls promptly, especially in the early days after an arrest, explain the process in plain language instead of legal jargon, and give you honest assessments rather than false reassurance. For most clients facing a criminal charge for the first time, that combination of steadiness and straight talk matters just as much as courtroom skill.
Criminal Charges We Handle
Our criminal defense attorneys represent Clinton Township clients facing a wide range of charges, including:
- Drunk Driving- OWI, OWVI, and Super Drunk charges under Michigan’s implied consent law, where blood alcohol level and prior history both affect the stakes.
- Drug Crimes- Possession, delivery, and manufacturing charges that fall across several controlled substance schedules under Michigan law.
- Domestic Violence/PPOs- Defense against domestic violence allegations and representation in personal protection order proceedings.
- Assault- Simple and aggravated assault charges, which carry very different potential penalties depending on how they’re classified.
- Felonies and Misdemeanors- Representation from arraignment through trial for charges of any severity, in district or circuit court as the case requires.
- Juvenile Crimes- Representation for minors facing charges handled through Michigan’s family court system rather than adult criminal court.
- Shoplifting/Theft- Retail fraud and theft charges at every degree, from minor misdemeanors to felony-level allegations.
Whatever the charge, we start with the same first step: a careful review of the evidence and the circumstances of the arrest, since that review shapes every decision that follows.
What to Expect After an Arrest
The criminal process typically begins with an arraignment, where charges are formally read and bond is addressed. Misdemeanor matters proceed through pretrial hearings in district court and may end in a plea agreement or trial. Felony charges require an additional preliminary examination before a judge decides whether the case has enough evidence to proceed to circuit court. Throughout this process, deadlines for evidentiary motions and other filings keep moving whether or not you have an attorney, which is exactly why we recommend getting one involved as soon as possible.
How quickly your case moves depends on the specific charge, the evidence involved, and the court’s current docket. Felony cases naturally take longer due to the added preliminary examination step, while misdemeanors in district court can sometimes resolve within a matter of weeks or months. We’ll walk you through what to expect once we know the specifics of your situation.
Protecting Your Record Going Forward
Beyond the immediate case, it’s worth thinking early about how a charge might affect your record long-term. Michigan’s expungement laws have expanded in recent years, and depending on the outcome of your case, certain misdemeanor and even some felony convictions may eventually become eligible to be set aside. Eligibility depends on the type of offense, how much time has passed, and whether you have other convictions on your record. We can talk through what that might look like for your situation once your current case is resolved, since planning for that possibility from the start sometimes affects decisions made earlier in the process, like whether to accept a particular plea offer.
Common Questions & Concerns
It’s natural to wonder whether a charge will follow you for years, whether you’ll face jail time, or whether there’s a way to resolve things without a trial. There’s no universal answer, since so much depends on the specific charge and the evidence involved, but we never sugarcoat what we see in your case or promise a result we can’t guarantee. We’ll review everything carefully and lay out your realistic options clearly, including any chances for reduced charges or alternative resolutions.
People also ask what they should do if police want to talk to them again after the initial arrest. Generally speaking, it’s best to route any further contact with police or prosecutors through your attorney rather than answering questions directly, even if the request seems routine or unrelated to the original charge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a criminal charge automatically show up on background checks forever?
It depends on the charge and the outcome. Some resolutions, like certain diversion programs or deferred sentences, can eventually allow for expungement or nondisclosure under Michigan law, while convictions for more serious offenses tend to stay on the record permanently. We can review your specific situation to explain what’s realistic.
Do I need a lawyer if I’m just facing a misdemeanor?
Even misdemeanor convictions in Michigan can carry jail time, fines, and lasting effects on things like employment or driving privileges. Having an attorney review the charges and the evidence often opens up options, like reduced charges or diversion programs, that aren’t obvious without legal guidance.
What happens if I already talked to police before calling a lawyer?
It’s not too late to get help. We’ll review exactly what was said and under what circumstances, since there may be ways to challenge how or when a statement was obtained. The earlier you bring us in after this happens, the more options we typically have to work with.
Can charges be reduced or dismissed before trial?
Sometimes, depending on the strength of the evidence, whether there were procedural issues with the arrest or search, and your criminal history. Prosecutors have discretion to offer reduced charges in many cases, and we regularly negotiate for that outcome when it serves your interests better than proceeding to trial.
Local Courts & Process
Cases arising in Clinton Township are typically handled at the 41B District Court, with felony matters moving to the 16th Circuit Court in Mount Clemens. We’ve represented clients through this exact process, and we also help many Clinton Township families with divorce and custody matters through our Family Law page, since these two areas of law sometimes intersect within the same household. We also regularly represent clients from the surrounding communities near Clinton Township, and that broader experience across Macomb County’s district courts gives us a practical sense of how different judges and prosecutors in this area tend to approach similar charges.
Talk to a Criminal Defense Attorney
If you or someone you love is facing criminal charges in Clinton Township, don’t wait to get answers. Call our St. Clair Shores office at (586) 776-1700 or reach out through our Contact page today. We’ll review what you’re facing, explain your rights and realistic options, and start working on your defense right away. The sooner we’re involved, the more options we typically have to work with, so there’s real value in reaching out even before you’re certain what you need. Reaching out doesn’t commit you to anything beyond that first conversation, and understanding your rights and options early often makes a real difference in how the rest of your case unfolds.
