Legal Question in Criminal Law in Michigan

Disorderly Conduct charge in MI...NEED HELP!!!

Hi, I am a college student in michigan who was recently charged with disorderly conduct, drunk in public. I have never had any violations in the past and was wondering what the consequences of something like this is. how do i plead? i was clearly drunk but ive heard that if you plead guilty they throw the book at you, but if you plead not guilty they might work with you. should i get a public defender


Asked on 12/28/07, 12:47 am

4 Answers from Attorneys

Neil O'Brien Eaton County Special Assistant Prosecuting Attorney

Re: Disorderly Conduct charge in MI...NEED HELP!!!

From whom have you heard this "throw the book at you" stuff?? The other drunk guys from that night??!!

By law, a judge cannot give you a harsher or more lenient sentence based on whether you plead guity or go to trial, or plead guity at an arraignment or do it later. However, if you plead guilty at the arraignment (your first court appearance), you will never know if you have a legal defense, or could have struck some kind of deal to lessen the charge, etc. that an attorney might be able to assess. Having an attorney is no guarantee that you'll get a better result than if you represent yourself, but it's always advisable to have an attorney review your case and your options. Sometimes, there are programs you can be put in where you can actualy get your charge dismissed at the end of a successful probation period.

Disordery conduct is a low level misdemeanor. It's not the end of the world. But, if you cannot afford your own private lawyer, get a court-appointed attorney. You will be charged with a fee for that lawyer's service, but it's good insurance (peace of mind) money that all of your bases have been covered.

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Answered on 12/28/07, 7:58 am

Re: Disorderly Conduct charge in MI...NEED HELP!!!

If you can't afford to hire your own attorney, you might have to settle for a court appointed lawyer. Although you'll still have to pay a court appointed lawyer, they usually work cheap. On the other hand, they probably know how much they're worth better than I know that.

Hire an aggressive, experienced attorney.

For more information, go to:

www.AggressiveCriminalDefense.com

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Answered on 12/28/07, 8:47 am

Re: Disorderly Conduct charge in MI...NEED HELP!!!

If you can't afford to hire your own attorney, you might have to settle for a court appointed lawyer. Although you'll still have to pay a court appointed lawyer, they usually work cheap. On the other hand, they probably know how much they're worth better than I know that.

Hire an aggressive, experienced attorney.

For more information, go to:

www.AggressiveCriminalDefense.com

Read more
Answered on 12/28/07, 8:48 am

Re: Disorderly Conduct charge in MI...NEED HELP!!!

If you can't afford to hire your own attorney, you might have to settle for a court appointed lawyer. Although you'll still have to pay a court appointed lawyer, they usually work cheap. On the other hand, they probably know how much they're worth better than I know that.

Hire an aggressive, experienced attorney.

For more information, go to:

www.AggressiveCriminalDefense.com

Read more
Answered on 12/28/07, 8:48 am


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