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Michigan Appeals / Appellate Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Appeals / Appellate Law and Juvenile Law for Michigan on
Q: In Michigan, how can a teen victim contradict her story several times and the defendant is still found guilty?

I know that the victim is not the one on trial, but shouldn't the inconsistencies be a red flag and weigh in on the jury's based on beyond a reasonable doubt? I don't know if I worded the question correctly.

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Feb 9, 2023

Only the 12 people on that jury can answer that for you. The jury's job is to weigh credibility of witnesses. They can believe everything or nothing, or some combination thereof.

In CSC cases, it's not at all uncommon for testimony to be inconsistent as stories and memories...
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1 Answer | Asked in Appeals / Appellate Law and Criminal Law for Michigan on
Q: If the Michigan Court of Appeals sends a criminal case back to the lower court for a new trial

and the person is found guilty again, does the original sentence continue or will there be new sentencing?

Dana B. Carron
Dana B. Carron
answered on Feb 8, 2023

There would be a new sentencing. However, if the proofs at trial are basically the same, you would likely get the same sentence as before. The sentence is based on the entirety of the information that the judge knows, so it is possible for the sentence to change based on the difference of the... Read more »

2 Answers | Asked in Appeals / Appellate Law and Criminal Law for Michigan on
Q: During a criminal Appeal in Michigan, can the fact that expert testimony was not called by the defenseor the fact that

some motions were not filed in time, or there was no evidence to support the conviction, or new evidence was discovered all be the basis for the appeal?

Dana B. Carron
Dana B. Carron
answered on Feb 8, 2023

All the issues you stated could be argued on the initial direct appeal of the conviction . . . except for the discovery of new evidence (which in most instances is brought in a 6500 motion for post conviction relief). However, depending on what the new evidence is, you might have a way to make it... Read more »

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1 Answer | Asked in Appeals / Appellate Law and Criminal Law for Michigan on
Q: trying to fill out my appeal how do i find my judges bar number if my lawyer wont help me?
Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Jun 21, 2022

First, be very cautious about what you are doing. Second, if you are appealing after a sentence, your attorney, unless they agreed otherwise, has no obligation to help you appeal. Appeals and trial work are completely different. If you are appealing, see my first point; you could be jeopardizing... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Appeals / Appellate Law for Michigan on
Q: I am looking for help with a drivers license appeal. Is there anyone who specializes in this area or that can help me?
Dana B. Carron
Dana B. Carron
answered on Feb 27, 2023

We need to know where you are located, before we can tell you if we can help you. You posted a question to attorneys within the entire state of Michigan, however, it indicates here that you are in Illinois. Please clarify.

2 Answers | Asked in Appeals / Appellate Law for Michigan on
Q: Is it possible to appeal for a warning arrest letter that been issued for innocent person since more than 15 years ago?
Dana B. Carron
Dana B. Carron
answered on Mar 20, 2022

Do you mean that they sent you a letter recently that warns you that they intend to arrest you in regards to a crime that happened 15 years ago? If so, your best chance to stop it is to have an attorney or someone else get in contact with the issuing authority and try to get more details about... Read more »

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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Appeals / Appellate Law and Child Custody for Michigan on
Q: My son was coaxed into signing away his rights to his son in Michigan. How can he get them back.

My grandson resides in Michigan with his mom. In 2020, he was taken from her. She and my son were given a list of requirements that had to be met in order for her to get him back. My son was told that if he signed away his rights it would get my grandson out of foster care sooner, so he did. Not to... Read more »

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Feb 14, 2022

This is a highly complex situation. Reading between the lines based on Mom having the kids now, it sounds like CPS and the foster care workers believe your son has some significant culpability. Do you know if he signed a custody agreement or a voluntary termination of parental rights? Those are two... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Appeals / Appellate Law for Michigan on
Q: how can a person get plea deal back after denying the offer andgoing to trial and get found guilty?

Also in a case of jury tampering, where a juror told two other juror about being approach outside court room about finding defendant guilty. do the judge have to do an investigation questions all jurors whos involved or could the judge just bring out all jury member and not question them about the... Read more »

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Dec 21, 2021

You're not going to get the plea deal back. The time to accept the plea deal was before the jury sat down and was sworn in. Once a trial starts, you're in it for all the marbles.

Jury tampering is a separate issue, and will need to be addressed on appeal possibly. From the...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Appeals / Appellate Law, Civil Rights and Constitutional Law for Michigan on
Q: ex parte signed no due process objection denied no ev. hearing supv. visits still 5 yrs later no reason said he meets

no factors has a criminal history I was shown to be unfit, unwilling, or unable. no evidence of abuse or neglect. I have all proof but never got to show because I NEVER got my hearing my daughter is being neglected educ,med,emoti, and emotional and psych abuse by alienating me almost to... Read more »

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Nov 21, 2021

You need to focus your arguments on what is happening now; not what happened or didn't happen five years ago. Perhaps the first step should be filing a motion to change parenting time. Your argument isn't whether supervised parenting time should have ever been in place, but that you no... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Appeals / Appellate Law for Michigan on
Q: What kind of things could possibly win an appeal for termination of parental rights?
Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Nov 9, 2021

Appeals generally turn on some legal error. Questions of fact or credibility of witnesses is for the trial court to determine. If there is a legal error and a question of fact, the remedy is usually a remand (send back) to the trial court for either a hearing or new trial.

An appeal is...
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1 Answer | Asked in Appeals / Appellate Law, Family Law, Civil Rights and Juvenile Law for Michigan on
Q: CPS used threats for compliance. There is proof, how can that help an appeal of termination of parental rights?

Cps threatened to have kids removed, foster care worker lied, refused services, added heresay statements on record, denied parent access to children for medical, dental, and school appointments

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Nov 8, 2021

For the uninitiated, you will find "threats" mean something different in the legal world. When CPS (or police, prosecutor, attorney) says "if you don't do this, I'll do that"...and the "that" is something lawful - meaning under the law, they, or a judge, can... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Appeals / Appellate Law and Traffic Tickets for Michigan on
Q: I appealed a decision made on behalf of secretary of state to suspend my license for an year and 6 pts on my record

It was due to traffic stop and an supposed to be chemical drug test refusal which I just didn't understand

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Oct 6, 2021

What is your question? It sounds like you got an implied consent violation. When the police suspect you of drunk driving, by virtue of you driving, you consent to a chemical test - which is usually a breath test administered at the jail or police station; not the one done on scene by the police,... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Appeals / Appellate Law, DUI / DWI and Cannabis & Marijuana Law for Michigan on
Q: What can be done if a judge in MI is ignoring the court of appeals decision that allows mmj patients to use on probation

My disabled husband was arrested for DUI and took a plea to a lesser charge because it seemed like all he could do. He took the plea with the understanding that it would not prevent him from using medical Marijuana as a brain tumor patient. The judge in lapeer County is not allowing him to use... Read more »

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Sep 23, 2021

That judge is not the only one...what can be done? Appeal a revocation or sanction of probation.

While it sounds like you are disappointed in the case outcome, DUIs can be tough to defend. If your husband was driving, and his BAC was over 0.08...I'm not sure what benefit going to trial...
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1 Answer | Asked in Appeals / Appellate Law for Michigan on
Q: how long after I get sentenced do I have to appeal
Dana B. Carron
Dana B. Carron
answered on Sep 5, 2021

42 days to request appointed counsel. 56 days to file a claim of appeal following a trial. 6 months to file an application for leave to appeal following either a plea or a trial. An infinite amount of time (no time limit) to file a post conviction motion for relief back in the trial court if you... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Appeals / Appellate Law for Michigan on
Q: My 26 year old son has been incarcerated 7 + years his minimun was served 9-2020. We need a tough appeletic Attorney

Hes been flopped twice but has no additional incidents or any violent crimes. I am in Muskegon, MI he is in Baraga Correctional Facility we filed mandamus and need excellent representation

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Aug 8, 2021

Has he completed all his programming? And when and what were his prior incidents? Is he in for a sex offense? It would not be unusual at all for someone in on a CSC to be flopped twice, due to apparently no fault of his own. Additionally, with COVID, a lot of programming just hasn't been... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Appeals / Appellate Law for Michigan on
Q: I filed a civil case in small claims court against a door company for poor installation.

I filed a civil case in small claims court against a door company for poor installation. We had a zoom conference and the judge could not hear me so he dismissed the case. I called the court and was told to file a motion, which I did, and due to the fact the post office having problems having... Read more »

Charles William Michaels
PREMIUM
Charles William Michaels
answered on Jul 3, 2021

First, I am not a Michigan lawyer. But having said that, my answer is probably yes.

1 Answer | Asked in Appeals / Appellate Law, Traffic Tickets and DUI / DWI for Michigan on
Q: If I ask for driving license hearing reconsideration, with new evidence, can I still appeal if they deny me again?

I’m in Michigan. I was previously granted my license then lost it to a technicality, had a breathalyzer in car and battery died which caused it to say I was tampering with it, I appealed that and won and was granted license back. Before my license paperwork came I drove stupidly for dr appt and... Read more »

Frank B. Ford
PREMIUM
Frank B. Ford
answered on May 18, 2021

I doubt that they will allow you to have a reconsideration. But to answer your question, if they did give you a hearing for reconsideration and you again lost, you could still appeal to Circuit Court, if the situation falls within one of the limited circumstances in which an appeal to the court is... Read more »

2 Answers | Asked in Appeals / Appellate Law for Michigan on
Q: Newaygo michigan 27th circuit is unable to produce transcripts for appeal what happens

The trial was a complete farce all the way threw a real circus never seen anything like it

Dana B. Carron
Dana B. Carron
answered on May 15, 2021

An appeal can definitely still be filed ... If I recall correctly, it is done with the trial attorneys filing affidavits of what they call the relevant facts at issue were.

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1 Answer | Asked in Appeals / Appellate Law for Michigan on
Q: Must long term appeal award check have to mail to lawyer

I hired a lawyer to work on my LTD due to rejection from no due diligence on the part of underwriter.

My lawyer never disposed anyone or went to litigation.

MESSA called me to say they are sending me a check for almost 2 years back pay. I will pay what I owe. My lawyer said the... Read more »

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on May 10, 2021

Your lawyer is correct. Generally, this sort of work is done on contingency, and in the world of government benefits is actually prescribed by law a certain percentage payable to the attorney. In either case, your lawyer was your representative in this litigation, and to properly settle the matter,... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Appeals / Appellate Law and Domestic Violence for Michigan on
Q: Last June my husband and i got into a disagreement. I left and went to my mom's. The neighbor had called the police.

He told Them where to find me. When they arrived, i was so upset and so angry and just started talking as of i were talking to my brother, not realizing A. That i was giving a statement, even though i never submitted a written one and B. That if i say one thing, they are required to take it a... Read more »

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Jan 14, 2021

You're in a tough spot. As you've seen, the prosecutor can use your statements made to police that day. Once the police get involved, things are then out of your hands. With this being his second offense, it does not surprise me that the prosecutor will want to try this case, or at least... Read more »

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