1. Federal Criminal Attorneys of Michigan (Sanford A. Schulman)
Practice Focus: Federal criminal defense, state criminal defense, white collar crimes, drug crimes, violent crimes
Case Types Handled: Federal crimes, drug trafficking, firearms offenses, conspiracy, white collar crimes, healthcare fraud, identity theft, child pornography, homicide, criminal sexual conduct, RICO violations
Legal Services: Federal court representation, trial defense, grand jury representation, appeals, habeas corpus petitions, post-conviction relief, plea negotiations, motion practice
Background: Attorney Sanford A. Schulman has over 35 years of experience in criminal defense. He has filed or appeared in federal court over 5,000 times and has won several federal trials. He has had two cases granted writs of certiorari by the U.S. Supreme Court, including a 9-0 decision in his favor. He has appeared in the Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, the Michigan Court of Appeals, and the Michigan Supreme Court. His accomplishments include commutations from the President, pardons from the Governor, and compassionate releases.
Location: 25800 Northwestern Highway, Suite 870, Southfield, MI 48075
Contact: (248) 792-6868 | https://federalcriminalattorneysofmichigan.com
Consultation: Consultation available
2. Law Offices of Raymond A. Cassar, P.L.C.
Practice Focus: Criminal defense, sex crimes defense, drug crimes, violent crimes, DUI/OWI defense
Case Types Handled: Sexual assault, criminal sexual conduct, drug offenses, violent crimes, DUI/OWI, assault, domestic violence, theft, white collar crimes, federal crimes
Legal Services: Trial defense, motion practice, suppression hearings, plea negotiations, appeals, investigation through final disposition
Background: The Law Offices of Raymond A. Cassar focuses exclusively on criminal defense with decades of experience. The firm maintains a strong reputation throughout Michigan’s criminal court system for their work on behalf of clients. The firm is known throughout Metro Detroit and Michigan for handling serious criminal matters including sex crime allegations, drug cases, and violent crime charges.
Location: 32121 Woodward Avenue, Suite 100, Royal Oak, MI 48073
Contact: (248) 541-9360 | https://www.crimlawattorney.com
Consultation: Consultation available
3. Amberg & Amberg (James Amberg)
Practice Focus: Federal criminal defense, drug crimes, white collar crimes, complex criminal litigation
Case Types Handled: Federal crimes, drug conspiracy, kidnapping, wire fraud, firearms offenses, fentanyl distribution, RICO, federal white collar crimes
Legal Services: Federal court representation, trial defense, grand jury representation, appeals, plea negotiations, independent investigation, motion practice
Background: Attorney James Amberg has secured notable acquittals in federal court in Detroit. In August 2024, he obtained a full acquittal for a client charged in a high-profile kidnapping conspiracy case in Detroit Federal Court after a three-week trial. He recently represented and obtained a full acquittal for a client charged in what news outlets called the biggest fentanyl lab bust in Michigan’s history. He also secured a full acquittal in a complex federal wire fraud conspiracy case involving an alleged $138 million scheme.
Location: 26699 W. 12 Mile Road, Suite 200, Southfield, MI 48034
Contact: (248) 430-8929 | https://www.amberglaw.net
Consultation: Consultation available
4. Davis Law Group, PLLC (Maurice Davis)
Practice Focus: Criminal defense, DUI/OWI defense, drug crimes, expungement
Case Types Handled: DUI/OWI, drug possession, drug trafficking, assault, domestic violence, theft, property crimes, juvenile offenses, expungement
Legal Services: Trial defense, plea negotiations, motion practice, expungement petitions, DMV hearings, probation violation hearings
Background: Davis Law Group has over 20 years of experience in criminal defense in Detroit and throughout Michigan. Attorney Maurice Davis worked as an assistant state’s attorney in Macon County, Illinois prior to opening his criminal defense practice, gaining experience with jury trials, bench trials, negotiating plea agreements, and arguing motions. The firm maintains over 200 five-star reviews. The firm provides representation in Wayne County and throughout Michigan.
Location: 535 Griswold Street, Suite 111-254, Detroit, MI 48226
Contact: (313) 818-3238 | https://www.michigancriminallawyer.com
Consultation: Free consultation available
5. Law Office of Julian J. Poota, PLLC
Practice Focus: Criminal defense, DUI/OWI defense, drug crimes, white collar crimes, felony defense
Case Types Handled: DUI/OWI, drug crimes, theft, white collar crimes, embezzlement, fraud, felonies, misdemeanors, federal crimes
Legal Services: Trial defense, plea negotiations, motion practice, expungement, record sealing
Background: The Law Office of Julian J. Poota provides criminal defense services throughout Metro Detroit and the State of Michigan. The office is centrally located in Southfield, Michigan with accessibility around the clock and arrangements for virtual meetings. Attorney Poota handles all misdemeanors and felonies throughout Michigan. The firm has received recognition for client service and results.
Location: 28588 Northwestern Highway, Suite 270, Southfield, MI 48034
Contact: (800) 680-5508 | https://www.pootalaw.com
Consultation: Free consultation available
Criminal Defense Regulations in Michigan
Michigan requires attorneys to pass the Michigan Bar Examination and maintain membership in the State Bar of Michigan. There is no formal board certification program for criminal law specialists in Michigan, though attorneys may demonstrate specialization through experience, peer recognition, and professional association memberships.
Michigan operates a public defender system in some counties, while others use court-appointed private attorneys. Wayne County has both a Public Defender’s Office and an assigned counsel system. Indigent defendants qualify for appointed counsel based on financial eligibility guidelines.
Attorney advertising in Michigan is governed by the Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct. Advertisements must not be false or misleading. Certain claims about specialization must be verifiable.
Michigan classifies felonies based on maximum possible imprisonment: Life offenses (life imprisonment possible), High Court Misdemeanors (more than 1 year but less than life), and regular felonies categorized by maximum sentence (20+ years, 15 years, 10 years, 5 years, 4 years, 2 years). Misdemeanors carry sentences of up to 1 year, with some high misdemeanors carrying up to 2 years.
Michigan does not have the death penalty. The maximum sentence for the most serious offenses is life imprisonment.
Michigan’s Clean Slate Act significantly expanded expungement eligibility beginning in 2021, with automatic expungement provisions taking effect in April 2023. Under current law, individuals may have up to three felony convictions expunged by petition (unlimited misdemeanors). Up to two felonies and four misdemeanors may be automatically expunged after specified waiting periods. Waiting periods are 3 years for most misdemeanors, 5 years for a single felony, and 7 years for multiple felonies. First-time OWI convictions may be expunged after 5 years. Excluded offenses include crimes punishable by life imprisonment, certain child abuse offenses, most sex offenses, and more than two assaultive crimes. Multiple convictions from the same 24-hour period may count as one conviction for expungement purposes.
Michigan bail laws are governed by court rules and statutes allowing magistrates and judges to set bond based on the nature of the offense, defendant’s criminal history, ties to the community, and flight risk. Personal recognizance bonds, cash bonds, and surety bonds are available. Certain violent offenses may result in remand without bond.
Michigan attorneys must complete 24 hours of continuing legal education every two years, including 2 hours of ethics and 1 hour of mental health and substance abuse awareness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens after an arrest in Wayne County?
Following an arrest in Wayne County, the defendant is transported to a local police department or the Wayne County Jail for booking. An arraignment before a magistrate or judge typically occurs within 24 to 48 hours. At arraignment, the defendant is advised of charges, informed of constitutional rights, and bail is set. For felony charges, a preliminary examination is scheduled within 14 days (21 days if not in custody) to determine probable cause. If probable cause is found, the case is bound over to Circuit Court for trial. Misdemeanors are resolved in District Court.
How does bail work in Detroit criminal cases?
In Wayne County, magistrates and judges set bail based on the nature of the charges, criminal history, employment status, ties to the community, and flight risk. Options include personal recognizance (release without payment), cash bond (full amount paid to the court), surety bond (through a bail bondsman, typically 10% of bond amount), and ten percent bonds (10% paid to court, refundable upon appearance). For serious violent felonies, bail may be denied or set at substantial amounts. Bond modification hearings may be requested before the assigned court.
What are the penalties for an OWI conviction in Michigan?
A first OWI offense in Michigan is a misdemeanor carrying up to 93 days in jail, fines up to $500, up to 360 hours of community service, and driver’s license suspension for 30 days followed by 150 days of restricted driving. A second OWI within 7 years is a misdemeanor with 5 days to 1 year in jail, fines of $200 to $1,000, vehicle immobilization, and license revocation for minimum 1 year. A third OWI is a felony with 1 to 5 years in prison, fines of $500 to $5,000, and license revocation for minimum 5 years. High BAC (0.17+) carries enhanced penalties. First-time OWI offenses may now be eligible for expungement after 5 years under Michigan’s Clean Slate law.
Can I get my criminal record expunged in Michigan?
Michigan’s Clean Slate Act significantly expanded expungement eligibility. By petition, individuals may expunge up to three felonies and unlimited misdemeanors. Waiting periods are 3 years for misdemeanors, 5 years for a single felony, and 7 years for multiple felonies after sentence completion. Automatic expungement (without application) became available in April 2023 for up to two felonies after 10 years and up to four misdemeanors after 7 years. First-time OWI convictions are now eligible for expungement after 5 years. Excluded offenses include life offenses, certain child abuse crimes, criminal sexual conduct offenses, and human trafficking. The application fee is $50 payable to Michigan State Police for fingerprinting. Multiple convictions from the same 24-hour period count as one conviction.
What should I do if I am charged with a federal crime in the Eastern District of Michigan?
If you are charged with or under investigation for a federal crime in the Eastern District of Michigan (covering Detroit and surrounding areas), you should immediately retain a criminal defense attorney with substantial federal court experience. Federal cases differ significantly from state cases in procedure, sentencing guidelines, and prosecution resources. You have the right to remain silent and the right to counsel. An attorney can represent you at initial appearance, argue for pretrial release, communicate with federal prosecutors, review discovery materials, and prepare your defense. Federal sentencing guidelines are complex and an experienced attorney can identify mitigating factors and argue for departures or variances from guidelines ranges.