Chicago, IL asked in Criminal Law for Michigan

Q: What to do if someone lies about an assault charge against you? Invest is set for Tues. My friend needs help quickly.

He was charged with something property with his gf. He later found out she called the cops and said he tried to strangle her and that was a lie. Now the judge wants to investigate attempted murder charges Tues. He got this news today. He needs help and has no money to represent himself. He has a public defender that has done NOTHING. How can he help himself. He could lose his job. Would this affect his access to Canada as that is where his daughter lives? He picks her up everyday from daycare ... please advise of any help. He feels defeated and I am very concerned.

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1 Lawyer Answer
Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
Answered
  • Criminal Law Lawyer
  • Grand Rapids, MI
  • Licensed in Michigan

A: Your friend is criminally charged with a fairly serious offense. The prosecutor, in the interim, must prove that it's more likely than not (51% versus 49%) 1) that a crime occurred, and 2) your friend had something to do with it; ultimately, the prosecutor would need to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that your friend committed this crime.

Your friend has nothing to prove. He has the absolute right to demand a trial and for the prosecution to prove their case. He should do this in complete consultation with his attorney. Just because his attorney may not be running into court pounding on the table about how his girlfriend is lying does not mean that he or she is doing nothing. There is a lot a procedure that must be followed to successfully defend a criminal case.

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