Skilled, Savvy, and Effective Oakland County Criminal Defense

Oakland County is notorious for overzealous prosecutors who care more about convictions than they do about seeking justice. Similarly, the judges are widely regarded as harsh and conservative. A top defense lawyer will never be intimidated by a judge or prosecutor.

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Felony and Misdemeanor Charges in Oakland County

As effective criminal defense attorneys who handle cases in Oakland County regularly, the attorneys with LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C. can tell you that it is one of the most challenging jurisdictions for defendants to get a fair trial. Whether a case is prosecuted by the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office or multiple local city or township attorney’s offices, the government’s aggressiveness in Oakland County is unsurpassed anywhere else in Michigan. In fact, lawyers who are used to practicing in Wayne County, Macomb County, Livingston County, and Washtenaw County frequently refuse to practice in Oakland County because it is so challenging (this was even more true when the economy was rolling and before many criminal defense attorneys in Oakland County were struggling financially).

Criminal Defense Attorneys in Oakland County

It is not true that lawyers from other counties are singled out and mistreated in Oakland County, as some attorneys claim. On the other hand, judges, prosecutors, and court staff in Oakland County like things done in a particular way, and when a criminal defense lawyer does not handle a case in the “Oakland County Way,” things can get a little tricky for them. One example of this is in Oakland County Circuit Court. More than a dozen Oakland County Circuit Court judges handle felony criminal cases. Each Oakland County Circuit Court judge handles arraignments, pre-trials, and pleas in their own unique way. However, the method used in Oakland County is far different from that used in other counties in Michigan. Many Oakland County Circuit Court judges use Cobbs Pleas (again, each in their unique way). A lawyer familiar with the Oakland County Circuit Court will know how to negotiate the most favorable Cobbs Agreement, which will minimize any potential consequences resulting from a conviction by a plea of guilty or no contest. If a lawyer is not highly familiar with the Oakland County Cobb Plea procedure, there is a strong likelihood that they will not know what language to use or what format to request to maximize the potential benefit of the Cobbs Plea.

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The Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office – Overcharging

Regretfully, the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office (OCPO) is relatively well known for overcharging defendants and later refusing to engage in a plea bargaining process. OCPO’s main office is located in the West Wing of the Oakland County Circuit Court building. An argument can be made that the warrant prosecutor who initially authorized the warrant tried to cover any potential criminal offense by charging serval serious offenses when issuing the charges. Maybe they were unaware of a fact or circumstance that comes to light as the case develops. The problem is that in the variety of instances where such additional facts or circumstances come to light and make it clear that the original charge is excessive or in error, the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office is somewhat infamous for refusing to adjust the charge in exchange for a plea. A great Oakland County criminal defense trial lawyer can often get the Oakland County Prosecutor to offer a charge reduction or dismissal when another lawyer, who is less well known, would be unable to achieve such an extraordinary result.

What You Need to Know About Oakland County, Michigan

Over 1.2 million people reside in Oakland County, Michigan, a suburban county in the state’s north-central portion. Since its settlement in the 1820s, the county has developed into one of the most prosperous regions in Michigan, with a flourishing economy and numerous cultural and recreational opportunities.

Throughout the years, Oakland County has also been the site of several high-profile prosecutions and erroneous convictions. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the Oakland County Child Killer case was one of the most notorious crimes. The case involving the kidnapping and murder of multiple small children remains unresolved.

Recently, Oakland County has been the setting for some high-profile cases of erroneous conviction. Davontae Sanford, who was only 14 years old when he was wrongfully convicted of four homicides in 2008, was one of the most prominent cases. In 2016, when the actual perpetrator confessed to the crimes, he was exonerated after nearly nine years in prison.

Thelonious Searcy, convicted of homicide in 2005 based on the testimony of a jailhouse informant, was the subject of a second wrongful conviction in Oakland County. Searcy maintained his innocence throughout his imprisonment and was exonerated in 2015 after DNA evidence proved he was not the perpetrator.

In addition, in 2020, a significant police scandal involving the Special Investigations Unit of the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office led to the dismissal of hundreds of cases, including several wrongful convictions. Allegations that members of the unit planted evidence on suspects to secure convictions led to the resignation of the Oakland County Prosecutor.

In 2020, Oakland County was the site of a significant police scandal in which members of a defunct special operations unit were accused of planting narcotics and firearms on suspects to secure convictions. The scandal led to the dismissal of hundreds of cases and the prosecutor’s resignation. The best defense against police and prosecutorial misconduct, including over-charging, is an effective Oakland County criminal defense lawyer, such as those with LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C.

Despite these obstacles, Oakland County continues to be a vibrant, diverse community with a rich past and a promising future. It remains one of the most desirable places to reside in Michigan due to its thriving economy, outstanding schools, and beautiful natural surroundings.

Michigan Criminal Defense Attorney

They Are Tough; We Are Tougher – Your Best Defense Starts Here

Oakland County prosecutor and Oakland County circuit and district judges are notoriously tough on domestic violence cases, DUI/OWI cases, criminal sexual conduct, home invasion, violations of probation (VOP), assault and weapons charges, appeals, and drug possession and distribution charges. The defense lawyers with LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C. are not intimidated by any judge or prosecutor! If you are looking for a lawyer who will faithfully, tenaciously, and fearlessly fight to protect and defend you, we are here to help you.

Call us today at (248) 263-6800 for a free consultation or complete an online Request for Assistance Form. We will contact you promptly and find a way to help you.

We will find a way to help you and, most importantly,
we are not afraid to win!

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