Gaines, MI Criminal Defense Law Firms & Lawyers

Yes, it is possible to win the case. These are very difficult cases to try, and they are very draining emotionally. They take a lot of work and concentration. But, there are manynot guilty verdicts (and hung juries) on these types of cases. Contact 3 to 5 lawyers in the area where the case is filed and talk over the phone. Get a general idea what they charge for these types of cases and how much the retainer is. The price could vary greatly but a good lawyer on one of these will not cost less than at least $20,000 plus expenses. Most lawyer will take a retainer (about 1/2) and payments (especially if they have a guarantor sign a contract.) Narrow down to 2 to 3 lawyers to interview in person. If your brother is in custody, then you should narrow to at least 2 to go visit with him. Expect to pay the lawyer to go visit him and to apply the fee charged to the fee on the case. (If a lawyer does it for free, then they are really needing cases to give away that much time & go through that mess.) Your brother should make the final decision. Things to consider - how many sexual assault / indecency cases have they tried to a jury. It does not take a lot of trials but the lawyer absolutely should have some experience in these particular type of cases because they are different than other offenses. Is the lawyer personable? Can s/he communicate well? What would a jury think of the lawyer? (It really does matter because the lawyer will make a great impression or a bad impression on a jury.) Can your brother communicate easily with the lawyer? Is the lawyer abrupt, rushed, nonconcerned, over boasting, etc.? Does the lawyer claim to "know the judge" or "know the prosecutor" in a way that they can sway them? If so, do not go with this person because they are full if it. (It is okay to know how the judge behaves and how the prosecutor thinks - these are good things.) Consider hiring a woman. The complainant is a girl. Many times it is just better all the way around to have a competent female lawyer cross examine children, and especially a female. It is not absolutely necessary and I have seen male lawyers do wonderful jobs on crossing female complainants. Most of the time these type of cases MUST be tried to a jury. The State has a complainant that they must assume is telling the truth & it is up to a jury to decide. If your brother pleads guilty, then he must register as a sex offender for the rest of his life. Your brother does NOT want a cheap lawyer. Good lawyers, especially on these types of cases, are NOT cheap. You would rather have an appointed lawyer than a cheap hired lawyer who is pissed at him or herself for taking on such a difficult case for so little money. (The appointed lawyer gets paid by the time worked on the case.)