Now Accepting New Clients!

5 Common Misdemeanors Affecting People in Michigan

A woman struggles against the handcuffs that hold her wrists.Originally posted on 11/08/2019

There are many different levels of crime and the consequences once someone has been charged with them. One bracket of crimes is known as a misdemeanor. Let’s go over this level of crime and some common examples of it.

What is a Misdemeanor?

Before we get into examples of common misdemeanors, let’s check in on what makes a crime a misdemeanor. A misdemeanor is a crime with a moderate level of intensity. Felonies are more severe, and tickets carry are not as problematic. Some of the consequences of a misdemeanor in Michigan include arrest, community service, criminal record, fines, jail time (typically less than a year), and probation. A misdemeanor doesn’t mean an automatic trip to jail, but it may have a lasting impact on your life, including difficulty getting a job, a loan, or an apartment. Make sure to have professional legal counsel if you have been charged with a misdemeanor. 

Keep reading to learn more about five types of common misdemeanors. 

1. Public Intoxication Misdemeanor

Disrupting the public can be annoying, but it becomes illegal when combined with the influence of drugs or alcohol. Acting disorderly while under the influence of alcohol or drugs in public is one of the most commonly charged misdemeanors. States and even cities exercise this rule individually, so there is a great amount of variance in the consequences of this crime. 

2. Indecent Exposure Misdemeanor

Decency means different things to individuals. Behavior stops being free speech or protected actions when private areas are shown in public. Indecent exposure can change depending on the city, but it usually relates to displaying genitals or publically urinating. 

3. Trespassing Misdemeanor

Trespassing happens when you go on private property without permission. The severity of the consequence for trespassing varies and may be more intense if the owner is more vocal about a violation. Police have immunity to this law. 

4. Theft (Petty) Misdemeanor

Theft involves taking something that does not belong to you. Most states determine if the theft is petty (a misdemeanor) or another crime based on the price of the stolen good or service. 

5. Assault Misdemeanor

There are many levels of assault. Here we will focus on basic assault. Basic assault is hurting someone without intending to injure them. Another version of basic assault is unwelcome contact - touching someone without their permission. 

Fighting Misdemeanor Charges in Southeast Michigan

No matter what crime an officer charges you of committing, having an experienced lawyer on your team will improve your chances of a favorable outcome. The attorneys and legal staff at Aldrich Legal Services have 21 years of experience in criminal law we can bring to your case. 

Give the legal team at Aldrich Legal Services a call today.

PROBATE 42: Dissolution of professional corporation.

This case involves the estate of a doctor whose professional corporation also had to be dissolved upon his death. The personal representative of the estate sold the company’s assets but did not pay off the company’s debts before transferring the proceeds to the estate and distributing them to the heirs.

A basic introduction to wills

Originally posted on 10/31/2016 It can be difficult to consider the end of our lives when we are in good health. However, lives can change at any moment, so it is wise to be prepared for any situation that may arise. Despite the many...

REAL ESTATE 73: Quiet title action.

This case involves a dispute over real property located in Michigan. W and V who are D’s parents, acquired the property. In 1999, W and V conveyed the property to the Trust, to which W is the sole trustee, via a quit claim deed. At some point...

How Is Alimony Determined In A Michigan Divorce?

Originally posted on 06/22/2018. When filing for divorce in Michigan, you may seek alimony, spousal support, from their spouse whenever they require financial aid. A judge may order your spouse to pay certain alimony. However, it depends...

Is My Conviction Eligible for Expungement?

Originally posted on 10/11/2019. At one point or another, we have all made mistakes. For some people, those mistakes involved breaking the law. Convictions have a large impact on someone’s life. Beyond the sentencing ranging from...

PROBATE 45: The court held that the probate court did not err by granting summary disposition for Plaintiff, or by denying Defendant’s request for an extension of the discovery period, adjournment of mediation, and issuance of subpoenas and by dismi

This case arises out of competing petitions for probate. On November 19, 2018, Defendant initiated this case by filing a petition for probate, attaching Decedent’s death certificate and purported last will and testament, dated March 9, 2007,...

DIVORCE 57: Holding that the trial court’s factual findings were not supported by the record evidence, and thus could not stand, the court reversed, vacated the portion of the Amended Default JOD ordering defendant to pay $3,325 to plaintiff, and re

Plaintiff first testified that she and defendant purchased the marital home in 1995. At the time the first default judgment of divorce was entered in September 2017, plaintiff had the home appraised. The value of the home was determined to be...

FAMILY LAW 68: The court held that the satisfaction of the statute relating to the termination of parental rights does not necessarily provide clear and convincing evidence in a parenting time dispute that a child will be harmed by reintroduction to

In a separate case, defendant’s parents filed a petition to terminate plaintiff’s parental rights and adopt RM on the ground that plaintiff had been absent from RM’s life for over three years. One month before the petition was...

FAMILY LAW 66: The court affirmed the trial court’s retroactive child support modification as to the second credit to which plaintiff-mother admitted at the referee hearing, and reversed and remanded as to the trial court’s equitable abatement of th

The parties have two children in common, and both children are now adults. The parties were never married, but plaintiff was granted custody and defendant was ordered to pay child support. After the youngest child turned eighteen, defendant sought a...

FAMILY LAW 65: The court held that because the ECE was not altered by the change of school districts, the referee properly applied the preponderance of the evidence standard when reviewing the best interest and parenting time factors.

BASIC FACTS The parties divorced in 2018. Their judgment of divorce provided that plaintiff would have primary physical custody and that the parties would have joint legal custody of the two minor children. The judgment of divorce stated that the...

FAMILY LAW 64: The court reversed the trial court’s order granting joint physical and legal custody of the parties’ children to defendant-father, concluding that the trial court improperly conflated his motion to change custody with plaintiff-mother

The parties divorced in 2013. The judgment of divorce granted mother sole physical and legal custody and ordered that the child’s domicile would remain in Michigan. In 2015, the trial court granted mother’s motion to change domicile,...

PROBATE 44: The court held that the probate court did not err by declaring a will executed by the decedent invalid on the basis that she lacked testamentary capacity to execute it and that it was the product of petitioner’s undue influence.

Defendant and Decedent met in August 2017. In approximately November 2017, Decedent began talking constantly about wanting Defendant to take her to see an attorney for the purpose of changing her will. On March 19, 2018, Defendant filed a petition...

Michigan Expungement Law Updates For 2021

There has been a new law regarding expungements for the state of Michigan.  Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed legislation that expands the criteria for expungements related to traffic offenses, marijuana convictions, and minor...

Don't let a bad decision, unfair contract, or a messy divorce get in the way of a promising future!
Contact the experienced team at Aldrich Legal Services today to schedule your free initial
and secure reliable and trustworthy representation today!
Get the Help You Need From a Team You Can Truly Count On: (734) 404-3000