Legal Question in Criminal Law in Michigan

A few years ago, I'm not sure exactly how long, a friend of mine was caught with a marijuana pipe by the police. He skipped out on going to court (obviously not a smart move). Then last fall he was an idiot and forged a check to himself for I think something like $150ish bucks using someone else's check. They called the cops and he was arrested. He served about a month and a half in jail I think and then was released. He was put on probation for a year and he followed through with the requirements for a few months but then skipped another court date and since then has not followed through with the probation requirements. Presently he is unemployed, has been trying and trying to find a job but no luck for about 8 months now. He says he will go and turn himself in and deal with everything when he has a job and can save up to pay the bond money. So...here's my question. This guy is planning on moving to Canada with his girlfriend in about a year and a half. If he does not get his legal stuff taken care of, can he move to Canada? Like, say they only have one load of stuff, and so they never have to turn around and come back into the U.S. and have to deal with the U.S. customs officers who would obviously stop them and arrest him. Will that work or will they be stopped on the Canadian side too and therefore be screwed? Also, if that were to happen, would his girlfriend, who has never had any legal troubles, get into trouble? These are both friends of mine and I wouldn't want to see either of them in trouble. And it looks like they are heading toward marriage someday, so just telling me that she should dump him doesn't do much good. Plenty of people have told her he's not good enough for her (I myself have told her he's a nice guy but she can do better) but she seems pretty much set with being with him so just leave that out of the answer. Thanks!


Asked on 10/19/10, 12:27 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
William Morrison Action Defense Center

Your friend is not bright enough to realize that his violation is not that difficult to resolve. He can call the court and find out the judge's next criminal docket. Then, call the prosecutor and ask to be put on the docket for a pretrial hearing so that he can surrender and plead at the same time with a court appointed attorney.

Getting a new job, raising the bond money, and only then going to court is a truly stupid idea. His girlfriend might convince him to get this resolved before leaving her stranded on the Canadian side of the border.

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Answered on 10/24/10, 5:40 pm


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