Criminal Defense

Lansing Criminal Defense Attorney

A criminal charge in Michigan is not a minor inconvenience. It can strip your freedom, end your career, and follow you for decades. Whether you’re facing a misdemeanor in the 54A District Court or felony charges that carry the possibility of state prison, the decisions you make in the first hours and days matter enormously. Clint W. Perryman PC is a Lansing criminal defense law firm that takes your situation seriously and works to protect what you have. Call us at 810-498-2370 to speak with our criminal defense attorney.

The Lansing criminal defense process moves fast. Arraignments happen quickly, conditions of bond can restrict your life immediately, and deadlines to file motions are unforgiving. Waiting to get legal representation or going it alone puts you at a structural disadvantage from day one.

What’s Actually at Stake in a Michigan Criminal Case

A criminal conviction in Michigan can mean jail time, prison, heavy fines, a permanent public record, loss of professional licenses, and restrictions on firearm rights, with consequences that can outlast the sentence itself.

Michigan criminal law divides offenses into two main tiers: misdemeanors and felonies. The line matters, but even within each tier, the range of penalties is wide.

  • Misdemeanor charges: Michigan misdemeanors can carry different maximum penalties depending on the specific offense, including jail terms of 93 days, one year, or two years in some cases. Even a minor misdemeanor conviction creates a public criminal record that appears in background checks, affects employment, and can cost you a professional license.
  • Felony charges: Felonies in Michigan are punishable by terms in state prison, often with sentencing guidelines that restrict judicial discretion. A felony conviction can restrict your right to possess firearms under Michigan and federal law, with the duration and requirements for restoration depending on the conviction and applicable law.
  • Driver’s license consequences: Certain criminal and traffic offenses can trigger driver’s license sanctions from the Michigan Secretary of State, separate from any criminal sentence. OWI and certain serious driving offenses can result in suspension or revocation, while other offenses may result in points or other licensing consequences. Losing your driving privileges can jeopardize your job before your case even resolves.
  • Federal charges: Some matters prosecuted locally have federal counterparts. Federal criminal cases are subject to federal sentencing laws and the federal sentencing guidelines, which are advisory rather than mandatory in general. Some federal offenses carry mandatory minimum sentences, and federal parole has been abolished for offenses committed after November 1, 1987, making legal representation at that level particularly critical.

The collateral consequences, effects beyond the sentence, include immigration consequences, loss of public housing eligibility, and permanent damage to custody arrangements.

How Michigan Courts Process a Criminal Case

From arrest to resolution, a Michigan criminal case moves through a defined sequence of court events. Missing any one of them without counsel can permanently damage your defense.

Understanding the process demystifies what can feel like an overwhelming system.

  1. Arrest and booking: Police take you into custody, and formal charges are requested from the prosecutor’s office. This is the moment your right to remain silent becomes most important. Anything you say is recorded and can be used against you.
  2. Arraignment: Your first court appearance generally must occur without unnecessary delay. In warrantless-arrest situations, a judicial determination of probable cause generally must occur within 48 hours, absent extraordinary circumstances. The judge reads the charges, you enter a plea, and bond is set. Bond conditions can include GPS monitoring, alcohol testing, and no-contact orders.
  3. Preliminary examination: In felony cases where a preliminary examination is held, a district court judge determines whether probable cause exists to bind the defendant over for trial in circuit court. This hearing can provide an important defense opportunity. Witnesses may be cross-examined, and the court may determine that the prosecution has not established probable cause to bind the defendant over for trial on one or more charges.
  4. Pre-trial motions: Before trial, the defense may challenge the legality of a search, the admissibility of forensic evidence or blood tests, or whether the arrest was supported by probable cause. A successful motion can result in evidence being suppressed and the case dismissed.
  5. Plea or trial: Most criminal cases resolve through a negotiated plea. When the prosecution’s evidence is weak, when constitutional rights were violated, or when you are falsely accused or wrongfully accused, taking the case to trial may be the right strategy. The prosecution must prove every element of the charge beyond a reasonable doubt.

Criminal Charges We Defend in Lansing, MI

Clint W. Perryman PC handles a wide range of felony and misdemeanor criminal cases throughout Lansing and the surrounding Ingham County area, including East Lansing, Grand Ledge, and nearby communities.

We represent clients charged with some of the most serious and sensitive cases Michigan courts see.

  • OWI / Drunk driving: Michigan’s Operating While Intoxicated law involves complex evidentiary issues, including the validity of field sobriety tests, breathalyzer calibration, and blood test chain of custody. A first OWI is generally a misdemeanor, while an OWI conviction can be a felony when the statutory requirements for a third or subsequent offense are met. See our Lansing DUI & OWI Defense Attorney page for a full breakdown.
  • Domestic violence: Domestic assault charges in Michigan can be filed even when the alleged victim does not want to press charges. A qualifying domestic violence conviction can trigger federal and Michigan firearm restrictions and may affect related family-law matters. Courts may also impose no-contact or other conditions of bond or probation depending on the circumstances of the case. False allegations and context matter, and we examine both carefully.
  • Drug crimes: Michigan distinguishes between possession, possession with intent to deliver, and delivery of controlled substances. Penalties scale with the type and weight of the drug. Delivery or possession with intent to deliver certain controlled substances can result in felony charges carrying substantial prison sentences, with the potential penalty depending on the substance, amount, and circumstances of the offense.
  • Weapons charges: Carrying a concealed weapon without a valid permit, possessing a dangerous weapon during a felony, and felony firearm charges each carry distinct penalties under Michigan law. A felony firearm conviction adds a mandatory two-year consecutive sentence on top of any underlying felony.
  • Assault: Michigan assault charges range from misdemeanor assault or assault and battery to felony offenses such as felonious assault and assault with intent to do great bodily harm. Assault with intent to murder is a felony punishable by imprisonment for life or any number of years, while assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
  • Federal charges: Federal criminal cases are prosecuted by U.S. Attorneys and proceed through federal district court under stricter procedural rules. Clint W. Perryman PC represents clients facing federal criminal charges and provides representation in state and federal courts.

Defenses That Actually Change Outcomes

The strongest criminal defense strategies attack the prosecution’s evidence at its foundation, challenging probable cause, exposing constitutional violations, and holding the government to its burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt.

Not every defense is appropriate for every case, and the right strategy depends on the specific facts. Common and effective approaches include:

  • Unlawful arrest or search: If police lacked probable cause for a stop, an arrest, or a search, evidence obtained as a result may be suppressed under the Fourth Amendment. Suppression of critical evidence can significantly weaken the prosecution’s case and, depending on the circumstances, may contribute to dismissal or another favorable resolution.
  • False allegations and witness credibility: In domestic violence and assault cases especially, false allegations are a real phenomenon. Inconsistent statements, motive to fabricate, and lack of corroboration are all powerful tools at trial or in pre-trial negotiations.
  • Challenging forensic evidence: Breathalyzer calibration records, blood test protocol, DNA chain of custody, and digital evidence all have vulnerabilities that a prepared defense attorney can exploit.
  • Constitutional rights violations: Statements obtained in violation of applicable constitutional protections, including statements obtained during custodial interrogation without required Miranda warnings, may be subject to exclusion from the prosecution’s case. Violations of your right to counsel can also affect the admissibility of key evidence.
  • Diversion and alternative sentencing: For certain first-time offenders, Michigan courts offer deferral programs. For eligible offenses, successful completion of a deferral or diversion program may result in dismissal or other favorable disposition without a conviction being entered, depending on the applicable statute and court program. Eligibility depends on the charge, the court, and the facts.

Lansing, East Lansing, and Ingham County Courts

Criminal cases in the Lansing area are processed through a layered court system: misdemeanors in district court, felonies in circuit court, and knowing how each court operates shapes how a case is defended.

Lansing, MI sits in Ingham County. Misdemeanor and traffic matters in Lansing are generally handled by the 54A District Court, while matters arising in other parts of Ingham County may fall within the jurisdiction of another district court. Felony cases within Ingham County generally begin in district court, where the preliminary examination process occurs when applicable, and cases bound over for trial proceed to the Ingham County Circuit Court. East Lansing and Grand Ledge cases may flow through separate district courts depending on jurisdiction.

Each court has its own local rules, its own procedures around plea negotiations, and its own judges. Understanding the applicable court procedures, local rules, and requirements of the particular court is an important part of preparing a criminal defense.

Frequently Asked Questions About Criminal Defense in Lansing

Should I talk to police if I’m questioned in Lansing?

You have the constitutional right to remain silent, and exercising it is almost always the right call. Politely tell officers you want to speak with an attorney before answering any questions. Even truthful, well-intentioned statements can be taken out of context and used against you in court.

What happens if I miss my arraignment date?

Missing a scheduled court appearance can result in a bench warrant, depending on the circumstances and the court’s order. A person with an outstanding warrant may be subject to arrest, including during a later encounter with law enforcement. Contact a criminal defense attorney the moment you realize you’ve missed a date.

Can a criminal record be expunged in Michigan?

Michigan’s Clean Slate laws allow eligible convictions to be set aside through both automatic processes and applications to the court, subject to offense-specific eligibility requirements and waiting periods. Certain convictions are excluded from set-aside eligibility, including specified assaultive crimes, serious misdemeanors, crimes of dishonesty, certain offenses punishable by 10 or more years’ imprisonment, certain offenses involving minors or vulnerable adults, human-trafficking offenses, and specified traffic offenses. Eligibility also depends on the particular conviction and applicable set-aside process. A conviction that is set aside generally receives different treatment under Michigan law, but set-aside status does not guarantee employment, housing, licensing, or other outcomes, and some records or consequences may remain subject to separate laws.

What’s the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony in Michigan?

Michigan misdemeanors are generally offenses punishable by a term of imprisonment of one year or less, although certain Michigan statutes authorize misdemeanor sentences of up to two years. Felonies are generally offenses punishable by more than one year of imprisonment and can carry penalties ranging from more than one year to life imprisonment, depending on the offense. The felony/misdemeanor distinction can affect certain legal rights and collateral consequences, including firearm restrictions and, depending on the circumstances, professional licensing, immigration status, and other civil consequences.

How quickly do I need to hire a defense attorney after an arrest?

Immediately. Bond and release conditions may be addressed at arraignment, and an attorney can advocate for appropriate conditions based on the circumstances of the case. Pre-trial motions have filing deadlines. Evidence can be lost. The earlier a defense attorney is involved, the more options remain available.

Take the First Step. Contact Clint W. Perryman PC

A criminal charge doesn’t have to define your future, but the defense you build starting right now will help shape what comes next. At Clint W. Perryman PC, we understand the Lansing criminal defense landscape, and we work to get you the best possible outcome, whether that means an outright dismissal, a reduced charge, or a hard-fought trial verdict. You can’t afford to wait.

Call our law firm at 810-498-2370 or contact us online. We represent clients charged throughout Lansing, MI, East Lansing, Grand Ledge, and surrounding Ingham County communities.