Criminal allegations can ruin your life, whether you're facing a felony or a misdemeanor charge. If you have recently been accused of a crime in Barry County, Michigan, you may be feeling stressed, confused and wary about going to court. To avoid a criminal record and a lengthy prison sentence, it's essential that you achieve a 'not guilty' verdict in the courtroom.
Unfortunately, overeager police officers and prosecutors have a history of convicting the wrong person. Their desire to get a conviction may trigger them to hyper-focus on an innocent individual. If you want to ensure that you don't get put behind bars, you need to work with an attorney that has experience working the defense.
At O'Keefe Law, we work with both juvenile and adult clients in the Barry County region. Here are some of our areas of expertise:
In Barry County, DUIs or OUILs are taken very seriously. They can result in the loss of your license, massive fines, community service orders, and even prison sentences. Avoid harsh punishments by working with a DUI attorney that has ample experience fighting these types of charges.
A first-time DUI can land you in prison for up to 93 days -- you may also lose your license and be required to perform 360 hours of community service. Third-time offenders face felony charges that can result in multi-year sentences. Don't take a DUI charge lightly!
Rape, child abuse, internet sex crimes, and sexual assault accusations can lead to life sentences and federal charges. If you have been accused of any of these sex crimes, you need to speak to an attorney at O'Keefe Law immediately.
Those convicted of a sex crime in Barry County will likely be listed on the Sex Offenders Registry for life. The public nature of this registry makes it nearly impossible for offenders to integrate back into society after completing their sentence, so don't take your chances! If you are on the Registry, our law firm can help get you removed.
While recent drug reforms in Michigan bode well for casual marijuana smokers, it's still illegal to possess large quantities of cannabis. Trafficking and distributing marijuana can result in multi-year sentences.
The opioid epidemic is sweeping across America, making prosecutors much more eager to target prescription drug crimes. If you're caught forging a prescription or distributing prescription drugs, prosecutors may seek a decades-long sentence. Those involved in the distribution, trafficking or possession of dangerous drugs such as cocaine, methamphetamine, or heroin, may face a life sentence.
Don't take drug charges lightly; your freedom is on the line.
If a spouse or partner accuses you of domestic violence in Barry County, get an attorney involved quickly. The courts do not require substantial evidence for a conviction on these charges.
Domestic violence can land you in prison for up to 93 days. Sentences can be much harsher if the case is severe. Some face decades in jail.
As with every other state in America, violent crimes are often considered to be the most problematic in Michigan. Murder, assault, armed robbery, and kidnapping can result in a life sentence. If you have been involved in or accused of a violent crime, it is essential that you employ an experienced team of lawyers to reduce or eliminate jail time.
Michigan has very loose kidnapping laws. A former spouse could allege that you kidnapped your child. If you've been accused of such a crime in Barry County, we can help you fight for your legal rights in court.
When your life is on the line, the last thing you want to do is work with an attorney with little to no experience. Patrick O'Keefe specializes in criminal law in Michigan and can help you fight for the results you deserve. Not only is he an expert in many legal fields, but he is also a former prosecutor that has worked the other side of the courtroom – something that he uses to his advantage when fighting a case. This experience helps him understand the strategies that prosecutors use to find you guilty in court.
Barry County is a small county in southeast Michigan comprised of approximately 60,000 residents. The area is well-known for its scenic beauty and small towns.
The Barry County courthouse is in central Hastings, the only major city in the area. For more information on the county, its services, and its courthouse, head to its website here.
If you need a lawyer that's willing to work tirelessly to prove your innocence at both a local and federal level, get in touch with the O'Keefe Law team today. We work on both felony and misdemeanor cases.
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