Any criminal offense which carries a potential term of incarceration of greater than 1 year is considered a felony in Michigan.
Procedurally, felony offenses begin in the District Court for the city in which the crime is alleged to have occurred. A preliminary examination hearing will be set within 14 days from the date of arraignment. A preliminary examination is hearing at which the prosecuting attorney must present evidence to show that there is probable cause to believe a crime has been committed and probable cause to believe that the defendant is the person who committed that crime. If the prosecutor carries that burden, or if the defendant waives the preliminary examination, the case is bound over to Circuit Court. Some felony cases are resolved in District Court, but most are resolved in Circuit Court.
There are numerous ways in which cases are resolved: plea bargains, sentencing agreements, motions and, of course, trial. Trials come in two forms: a jury trial in which a panel of jurors is selected from the community to determine guilt or innocence or a bench trial in which a judge makes that determination. A skilled, experienced attorney can make all the difference between a resolution you can live with and a prison cell. You don't want to entrust your liberty to anyone but the best. Zoglio Law is well known, respected, and has represented clients charged with felony offenses throughout the state of Michigan. No matter how serious the charge:
Zoglio Law has not only represented clients but has taken the cases to trial - often times with an acquittal or reduced charges.