Frequently Asked Questions

The staff and attorneys at Cripps & Silver Law are available to speak to you 24-hours a day on our hotline at  (313) 963-0210.

If you need to post a bond, then you will need to understand what type of bond you are required to post and what conditions have been set by the court. A cash bond will require that you post the entire amount as set by the court, while a 10% bond only requires that you post 10% of the amount set by the court. You also may have a bond that requires some money to be posted and a condition such as having a tether attached before being released.

Cripps & Silver has helped many clients who have violated probation or parole. If you have violated probation or parole, then it is important to call our office right away.

Probation Violation:

When a person pleads guilty or is convicted of a felony or misdemeanor, he/she may be placed on probation immediately or after release from jail. A person may be placed on probation for a maximum of 2 years for a misdemeanor and 5 years for a felony. Probation is considered a privilege and therefore a violation can create an array of issues. The following are some sanctions that may be imposed for someone found guilty of probation violation:

• The person may be allowed to continue probation without punishment for the violation;
• There may be costs for the probation violation;
• The court may modify the conditions of probation or extend the period of probation;
• The court may revoke the probation and sentence the defendant to jail for remaining time not served;
• The court may revoke a special status such as MCL 333.7411 or HYTA.

A probation of violation will require a court hearing in front of the judge assigned to your case.

Parole Violation:

Parole is also seen as a privilege in Michigan and not all prisoners will be given parole. The prisoners that the Parole Board recognizes as safe to be in society will be given parole. The Michigan Department of Corrections states, "not every technical violation of the conditions of parole results in a return to prison." Alternative programs are often used to bring about the success of the offender to keep them active in the community.

Many different actions can result in violating parole. It is important to remember that each person will have different conditions for their parole. Here is a list of the most common violations:

• Not completing the conditions court assigned. This usually includes community service, meeting with your parole officer, and completing necessary paperwork on time.
• Failing a drug or alcohol test
• Breaking the law or being accused of committing another crime
• Missing court
• Leaving the state of Michigan without permission from your parole officer
• Moving (across town or to another state) because you must get permission from your parole officer

If you are found guilty, then the penalties are to be based on your violation and the seriousness of the violation. You may be required to undergo a psychological evaluation to know what is going on emotionally and physically with the convicted person. You may also be given a referral to a program used to curb alcohol abuse and possession of illegal substances. You may also have an extension of parole and a requirement to pay fines and restitution. The most severe penalty for a violation of parole is that you may be sent back to prison for an amount of time up to the remainder of your sentence.

With parole conditions being easy to violate, it is important to follow the conditions stated by the Michigan court and the designated parole officer. If you or someone you know does violate parole, it is highly suggested that you contact Cripps and Silver Law as soon as possible to assist you.

There are many factors that affect the length of a trial: the type and number of charges, the number of defendants charged, the number of witnesses that will be presented by both sides, which judge will be sitting for the trial, and whether you choose to have a jury or bench trial. The attorneys at Cripps and Silver Law have a tremendous amount of trial experience and can assess the amount of time a trial will take by looking at the factors above as well as the case itself.

If you are questioned by the police, then you possess many rights. First and foremost, it is important to understand the situation. If you are not under arrest or in custody, then you are not obligated to stay and speak to the police or go to speak to the police at their request. If you are under arrest and being questioned, then you have all of your Miranda rights that are established to protect you. The Miranda rights include the right to remain silent (because anything you say can be used against you) and the right to an attorney (one will be provided if you are unable to afford one). It is important at this stage to invoke your rights and call Cripps & Silver Law to fully protect you.

Refusing a Breathalyzer test will result in a one year suspension of your driver's license. The suspension may be appealable to the Secretary of State.

The difference between a misdemeanor and felony offense is the severity of the charge as well as the severity of the penalty. A misdemeanor offense can result in a jail sentence of up to one year in jail while a felony offense can result in a sentence that can go from one year to life. Both felonies and misdemeanors can also have consequences beyond the criminal charges, such as family law issues or suspension of driving privileges. It is important to contact Cripps & Silver Law as soon as possible to fully understand the impact of the charges.

You should never speak to the police without an attorney. Cripps & Silver Law has helped many clients with police contact and will discuss whether or not contact with the police is truly in your best interest.