ELN Blog
Defense.
Criminal defense, reputation protection, and what to do when the system comes for you.
Resisting and Obstructing a Police Officer in Michigan
Charged with resisting and obstructing in Michigan? What MCL 750.81d covers, why it's usually a felony, how the penalties climb, and the defenses that can apply.
Oct 21, 2026
Assault and Battery Charges in Michigan: What You Face
Charged with assault and battery in Michigan? How the law defines it, how simple assault differs from aggravated and felonious assault, possible penalties, and defenses.
Oct 13, 2026
Should I Take a Plea Deal in Michigan? What to Weigh
Offered a plea deal on a Michigan criminal charge? How plea bargains work, what you give up, the questions to ask, and why the fine print matters more than the headline.
Oct 7, 2026
Driving on a Suspended License in Michigan: What Happens
Pulled over and told your license is suspended? What a Michigan driving-while-suspended charge means, why the reason for the suspension matters, and what to do before court.
Sep 30, 2026
How Bond Works in Michigan: Getting Out After Arrest
Who sets bond, what the 10 percent deposit means, what conditions come with release, and what happens if they're violated. A plain explanation of Michigan pretrial release.
Sep 24, 2026
Can the Victim Drop Charges in Michigan? Who Decides
In Michigan, the alleged victim doesn't control a criminal case. The prosecutor does. What that means, what a victim's wishes can still change, and what the accused should avoid.
Sep 18, 2026
Warrant Out for Your Arrest in Michigan? What to Do First
A Michigan warrant doesn't go away if you ignore it. It waits for a traffic stop. Here's how bench and arrest warrants work, and why turning yourself in on your terms matters.
Sep 14, 2026
Probation Violation in Michigan: What Actually Happens Next
A violation hearing isn't a new trial. The standard of proof is lower, there's no jury, and the judge deciding is usually the one who sentenced you. Here's how Michigan handles it.
Sep 8, 2026
What Happens at a Michigan Preliminary Examination?
The prelim is where most Michigan felony cases are really won or lost. Here's what it is, what the prosecutor has to show, and why waiving it is a decision, not a formality.
Sep 1, 2026
What Is HYTA? Michigan's Second Chance for Young Adults
Michigan's Holmes Youthful Trainee Act can end a case with no public conviction. Here's who qualifies, what it actually protects, and where people get it wrong.
Aug 26, 2026
Do You Have to Do a Field Sobriety Test in Michigan?
Pulled over in Michigan and asked to walk the line? The roadside field sobriety tests are usually voluntary — and here's why that matters, plus the one test that's different.
Aug 20, 2026
Can Police Search Your Phone in Michigan?
Can police search your phone in Michigan? Usually not without a warrant — but consent and Face ID can hand them access you didn't have to give. Know your rights.
Aug 13, 2026
Do You Have to Talk to the Police in Michigan?
Do you have to talk to the police in Michigan? What you're required to give, what you can refuse, and why 'just cooperating' is how good people talk themselves into charges.
Aug 4, 2026
Do You Have to Take a Breathalyzer in Michigan?
Do you have to take a breathalyzer in Michigan? The roadside PBT vs. the real chemical test, what refusing actually costs under implied consent, and your options.
Jul 29, 2026
Can Police Search Your Car in Michigan? Your Rights
Can police search your car in Michigan? When they need a warrant, when they don't, and why you never have to consent — a plain-English guide to your traffic-stop rights.
Jul 22, 2026
What Happens at a Michigan Arraignment (First Court Date)
Facing a Michigan arraignment? Learn what happens at your first court date — the charges, your plea, bond, and the mistakes that cost people the most.
Jul 16, 2026
Michigan Retail Fraud (Shoplifting): Charges, Penalties, Defenses
Michigan retail fraud charges range from a misdemeanor to a felony based on dollar value. Here are the degrees, the penalties, and how a shoplifting case is defended.
Jul 9, 2026
Do You Have to Answer Police Questions in Michigan?
You have the right to stay silent — but knowing how and when to use it matters. Here's what you must give an officer in Michigan, what you don't, and how to invoke your rights.
Jul 2, 2026
Michigan License Restoration: How to Get It Back
Lost your license to multiple OWIs in Michigan? Restoration isn't automatic — you have to win a Secretary of State hearing. Here's what it takes and where people fail.
Jun 24, 2026
Michigan OWI First Offense: Penalties and Your Options
A Michigan OWI first offense is a misdemeanor with jail, license, and career fallout. What the penalties really are, how High BAC changes them, and your options.
Jun 18, 2026
Collateral Consequences of a Michigan Criminal Conviction
The collateral consequences of a Michigan criminal conviction reach your license, your job, and your business long after court. What's at risk and how to limit it.
Jun 11, 2026
Michigan expungement: who qualifies under Clean Slate in 2026
Michigan's Clean Slate law can clear your record automatically — or by application. Who qualifies, what's excluded, and how to set aside a conviction.
May 29, 2026