Frequently asked questions

Be polite and give identification when required, then say you want a lawyer before answering questions. Innocent people are often hurt by statements made while trying to explain themselves.

A misdemeanor is punishable by up to 93 days or 1 year in county jail. A felony is punishable by more than 1 year in state prison. Michigan also has “high court misdemeanors,” punishable by up to 2 years, which are treated like felonies for many purposes. Learn more.

Many first-time offenders avoid jail, and programs like HYTA, Section 7411 and domestic violence deferrals can lead to a dismissal. The answer depends on the charge, the court and the facts.

The charge is read, your rights are explained and bond is set. For misdemeanors you’ll enter a plea. Having a lawyer present can make a significant difference in your bond conditions. Read our arraignment guide.

Yes. Charges are dismissed when evidence was obtained illegally or doesn’t support the charge, and are often reduced through negotiation.

Call a lawyer before you do anything else. We can often arrange for you to turn yourself in on your terms and address bond at the same time, rather than being arrested at work or home. What to do if you have a warrant.

The Holmes Youthful Trainee Act lets many people charged with offenses committed between ages 17 and 26 complete probation and have the case dismissed without a conviction. For ages 24–25, the prosecutor must agree.

Refusing the chemical test after an arrest leads to an automatic one-year license suspension and six points for a first refusal. You have 14 days to request a hearing to challenge it. OWI defense.

A blood alcohol level of 0.17 or higher leads to a High BAC charge, with up to 180 days in jail, higher fines, mandatory treatment and a one-year license suspension.

A typical first OWI brings a 30-day suspension followed by 150 days of restricted driving. High BAC and repeat offenses carry longer suspensions or revocation.

In many cases, yes. Michigan allows one first-offense OWI to be set aside, generally after five years, if it did not cause death or serious injury.

Michigan’s Clean Slate law lets many people set aside an unlimited number of misdemeanors and up to three felonies, with some limits and exceptions. See eligibility.

Generally, yes. Michigan’s dog bite statute holds owners liable regardless of the dog’s history if you didn’t provoke the dog and were lawfully where you were.

Usually the dog owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance — not the owner personally. Learn more.

Many of our clients were bitten by a dog they knew. The claim is usually handled with the owner’s insurance company, so you don’t have to ask your friend for money. How these claims work.

It depends on the severity of the injury, scarring, medical costs, lost income, emotional harm and the insurance available. See the factors that drive value.

Often, yes — and you may have both a workers’ compensation claim and a claim against the dog owner. Dog bites at work.

Generally three years from the bite, with additional time in some cases for children. Evidence is easiest to secure right away.

It varies. Some claims resolve within weeks — we recently settled one for six figures in 30 days — while others take longer when injuries are still healing or liability is disputed.

Usually your own auto insurer through no-fault PIP benefits, up to the coverage level on the policy. You may recover additional losses from the at-fault driver. Learn about PIP benefits.

Yes, if your injury meets Michigan’s threshold — a serious impairment of body function, permanent serious disfigurement, or death — and you were not more than 50% at fault. Learn about the threshold.

We look for other policies and your own underinsured motorist coverage — and check your policy before you accept a limits offer. Policy limits explained.

Generally your own auto policy or a household relative’s pays PIP benefits first, and you can bring claims against any at-fault driver. Passenger claims.

Nothing. Consultations are free and confidential.

Injury cases are handled on a contingency fee — no fee unless we recover money for you. For criminal cases, we explain the fee clearly at the consultation, before you commit to anything.

Yes. We represent clients in Oakland, Wayne and Macomb counties and throughout Michigan.

Yes. David is fluent in Armenian and conversational in Russian, and consultations can be held in Armenian. Learn more.

Yes. You’ll have David’s direct attention from the first call to the end of your case.