A Sexting Story Ripped From the Headlines
I don’t have children nearing high school age yet, but I’m already worried. High School changed in the 2010s and high school today is not the high school we – the parents of 2020s high school students – went to. I know that from my practice. We see cases, serious cases, involving high school – […]
Sex Offender Recidivism
Crimes against children are serious offenses and Michigan has a legitimate interest in increasing child safety and decreasing recidivism of sex offenders. Criminal sexual conduct and sexual abuse are of the highest concern for Michigan lawmakers and courts. The Michigan court system has displayed a reliance on the high risk for recidivism posed by sex offenders or […]
HYTA and Teenage Sex Crimes
In June, a 19 year-old male from out of state appeared before a Michigan Court for having consensual sex with a 14-year-old minor female from Michigan. He was charged with third-degree criminal sexual conduct, MCL 750.520d, for having sex with a minor, even though she lied about her age. Eventually, the teen pleaded guilty to a […]
Congressional Authority — Michigan Federal Lawyers
As Michigan federal defense lawyers, we take on some of the most difficult and unique battles. Next week, our office will be arguing whether Congress had authority to enact the female genital mutilation statute. The position by our federal defense lawyers, is that it did not. It is our position, that Congress lacked authority to enact 18 U.S.C. § […]
Withdrawing a Plea in a Sex Case
In criminal sexual conduct cases defense attorneys sometimes advise a client to take a plea offer without giving the client accurate advice about taking the plea. Each client, no matter if they are advised by a public defender or retained counsel, should be aware of what he or she is pleading guilty to, especially in […]
Michigan Federal Criminal Defense — Risk of Flight Issues
In a Michigan federal criminal case, the federal court will assess whether the accused is a flight risk. A Michigan federal criminal lawyer will be able to analyze the individual circumstances to determine if being seen a flight risk should be of concern. Pretrial detention is only appropriate in specific limited circumstances, including a case that involves […]
Expert Testimony Regarding Michigan Sex Crimes
At Smith Lehman, we fight for people accused of Michigan sex crimes. We handle both adult and juvenile cases and have strategies that will help if you are facing this type of a case. Allegations of Michigan sex crimes including criminal sexual conduct and child sexual abuse often require expert testimony – both from the State and […]
Effective Criminal Sexual Conduct Lawyer
When hiring a criminal sexual conduct lawyer it is important to hire the best lawyer you can find. A lawyer who has the time, skill and ability to focus on your case and get you the best results. Unfortunately, this does not always happen and many who claim to be a criminal sexual conduct lawyer, let their clients down. Unfortunately, […]
Victory on a First Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct Case
A few weeks ago, we represented a client charged with first degree criminal sexual conduct in a small county close to Traverse City. First degree criminal sexual conduct is a felony punishable by up to life in prison. A conviction would not only require prison, but also registration as a sex offender for life. The stakes could not have been […]
The Degrees of Criminal Sexual Conduct in Michigan
Most of the cases we handle at Smith Blythe are charges of criminal sexual conduct. In Michigan, all cases involving sex crimes, including rape, statutory rape, molestation and sexual abuse, are charged under the criminal sexual conduct statutes. The easiest way to break down the charges for people who are learning about this for the first time is […]