Criminal laws in Dearborn, Michigan
Criminal law and process
When you are arrested, you have a right to be treated a certain way.
These rights do not refer to basic respect or etiquette. While that sounds nice—if the police stop you on probable cause or arrest you for a crime, they probably will not be very respectful to you personally.
I am Jonathan M. Jones. I have worked as a criminal attorney for long enough that I know as soon as you tell me what happened to you whether it could lead to a dismissal on a technicality because of process.
Even when you are stopped, investigated, or arrested, you have rights under Michigan and Federal law. I am an experienced criminal law attorney in Dearborn, MI. I can help you exercise your rights.
Stop
If a police officer stops you, but does not arrest you, you should be polite, but you do not have to answer his questions and you can leave at any time you like.
Search
The police may search you or your possessions by authorization of a search warrant or without a warrant if the search is within certain contexts:
Searches incident to arrest
Searching portions of a vehicle within which you are arrested
Circumstances where evidence can only be obtained via immediate search
Plain-view positioning of an item
Searches for which you give consent
Pay attention to how the police search. I may be able to show a judge the search was illegal.
Arrest
Arrest relies on probable cause—that is, the officer has a reasonable belief that a crime was committed and that you committed it.
You are protected by Constitutional rights when you are arrested. You do not have to talk and you have a right to an attorney.
Anything you say to an officer can be used against you, even if you have not heard your Miranda Rights yet.
I suggest that, in all instances of arrest, you do not talk unless you are requesting to call your attorney.
If you call me, as a Dearborn criminal law attorney I keep a close watch on how you are treated immediately.
Call 1-248-310-3399 to learn about your rights under STATE AND FEDERAL LAW. Or contact Jonathan M. Jones online.