Misdemeanor Lawyer Grand Rapids MI

Misdemeanor attorney Daniel Hilf has a strong reputation for providing solid and independent legal representation in the Grand Rapids area. Misdemeanor convictions have serious repercussions which can cause the loss of liberty, loss of educational opportunities, loss of employment advancement, and impact to your future endeavors.  With a pending misdemeanor you should not delay to obtain needed legal advice and aggressive legal representation from an in demand criminal defense specialist, in order to put your misdemeanor troubles behind you.

Misdemeanors throughout the State of Michigan are criminal offenses levied due to alleged violations of local laws (ordinances), State statutes, and Federally enacted offenses which are considered lower in severity than felony charges.  Commonly charged misdemeanor charges include (but are not limited to): DWLS (Driving While License Suspend), drunk driving (OWI, DWI, OWI 2nd, Super drunk, etc.), disorderly person, assault and battery, aggravated assault, domestic violence, DNR violations, and retail fraud.

 The maximum possible jail penalty for Grand Rapids area misdemeanor convictions is confinement from anywhere from 90 day to 365 days (with exception "high court misdemeanors" which provide for a greater penalty).  With exception to a handful of crimes, most misdemeanors do not require the Judge to order any term of jail.  For any misdemeanor, the Judge is free to impose strict and demanding probationary conditions that may make your life miserable.  If you do not listen to what was ordered by your Judge, the possible result may include a probation violation and jail.

There are charge specific consequences for misdemeanor convictions that can result in personal hardships which are outside of the Judge's control, including: loss and/or restrictions to your ability to drive a car (drunk driving and driving without a license offenses); loss of hunting and fishing privileges (some DNR offenses); loss of ability to work in a hospital setting caring for patients (various assaultive, theft related, and drug crimes); the inability to lawfully posses/purchase firearms (stalking, domestic violence), etc.  A misdemeanor conviction can lead to severe immigration sanctions and repercussions for persons that do not have US citizenship (visa holders, green card holders, foreign exchange students, etc.), which may trigger deportation, inadmissibility (inability to lawfully return to the United States if you ever leave the United States), immigration detention, and the inability to obtain waivers and other immigration relief.

With 2 possible exceptions in Michigan, all misdemeanor charges mandate an appearance by the person charged at the District Court with jurisdiction over the alleged offense to address the charge or charges.  The 2 possible exceptions are: the use of a "plea by mail" by someone incarcerated in another jurisdiction; plea to a "payable misdemeanor" (only available to specified minor offenses, depending upon the Court's policies and procedures).  

For all misdemeanor offenses you can choose to fight the case, and are aided by several fundamental rights:

• the right have your own lawyer handle your defense (if you have the money to hire your own lawyer) or to ask for a public defender if without funds to hire your legal representation;
• due process (presumed innocent of all offenses, prosecution has sole burden of proving its case beyond a reasonable doubt, contested trial, right to cross examine all witnesses against you, right to subpoena witnesses for your defense, right to remain silent, right to testify and tell your side of the story, appellate rights).

Your defense is only as strong as its weakest link, and your fundamental rights only have real meaning only if your lawyer is fully invested in your defense.  You can have a blind man's approach to your defense, and hope your lawyer stumbles in the right direction, or choose to be well represented. 

There are a few key questions that you should contemplate before settling upon your misdemeanor legal counsel:

• Does the lawyer who has the responsibility to present my defense have many years courtroom experience and success defending misdemeanor cases?;
• Does the lawyer who has the responsibility to present my defense  answer my questions and concerns in a well thought out manner?;
• Does the lawyer who has the responsibility to present my defense  have a solid reputation in the legal community and solid reviews?;
• Does the lawyer who has the responsibility to present my defense have legal acumen, jury trial experience, and the ability to push for the best possible results?;
• Does the lawyer who has the responsibility to present my defense make payment arrangements to help me afford the lawyer's services, or accept credit card and debit card payments?.

When it comes to all of the above questions, the answer to all of these questions is a resounding "yes" if you make the right decision to hire attorney Daniel Hilf.  You do not need to settle for a lawyer who just goes through the motions to provide the bare minimum service, or a lawyer who isn't independent from the influences of the Judge and prosecution.  Being on top of his game, loyalty to clients, persuasive, sharp, zealous, and experienced are proper descriptive terms that apply to lawyer Daniel Hilf and his legal services.  

Daniel Hilf, is the person you can count on throughout the State of Michigan for all misdemeanor and felony charges including:

• Domestic Violence
• Drug Offenses
• Sex Offenses
• Criminal Traffic
• Probation Violation
• Retail Fraud
• Other Criminal Offenses