Akron, OH asked in Criminal Law for Michigan

Q: How long can they keep you in custody for arson charges with no evidence?

They put a no contact bond condition on my husband so he can't contact me but I'm his spouse and care taker of our 2 month old daughter.

He has a prelim on tuesday and they want me to testify but I have nothing to prove he's guilty .

Please help i just want him home and know I don't legally have to testify as I am his spouse.

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

A: I know this answer comes likely after your husband's prelim. But I suspect there is much more to this story. That your husband has a no contact order with you as part of his bond conditions tells me that at least the court believes you may be more than a witness, but a victim in some regard.

They almost assuredly do have some evidence against your husband. Given the early stage in the proceedings, not everything has been, or is required to be, disclosed to you. It takes probable cause to arrest someone - that's it. It could quite literally be his finger prints found on the gas can at the scene and someone saying they saw him walking away from the area a few minutes before fire trucks arrived.

Your decision to testify is likely not what the prosecutor is pinning his or her case on, as they probably suspect you to be a reluctant or hostile witness.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.