Beware of fake attorney awards when looking for a Michigan criminal defense attorney.

By Attorney James Czarnecki|Czarnecki & Taylor PLLC|NOV 19, 2022

Beware of fake attorney awards.
Beware of fake attorney awards.

Many attorneys will probably be angry with this article. The honest attorneys will agree with what we explain here. Vanity awards have heavily infiltrated the legal profession. Companies that have no valid legal credentials or recognition often sell these awards to lawyers who are looking for recognition in their field. Beware of fake attorney awards when looking for a Michigan criminal defense attorney.

Unfortunately, many lawyers buy them because they offer the promise of a prestigious award without having to go through any vetting process or hard work. You can pay a fee and get an “award” from them with no questions asked and no actual qualifications necessary.

These awards may look impressive at first glance, but they lack credibility. Someone looking for an attorney should think twice about hiring a lawyer who posts these fake awards and badges on their website. Vanity awards don’t carry any weight with clients or the court system, and they can actually hurt you in the long run.

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What is a Michigan implied consent driver’s license suspension?

By Attorney James Czarnecki|Czarnecki & Taylor PLLC|NOV 13, 2022

What is a Michigan implied consent driver's license suspension?
What is a Michigan implied consent driver’s license suspension?

A Michigan implied consent driver’s license suspension is when the SOS automatically suspends a person’s license for refusing to take a chemical test when pulled over on suspicion of drunk driving. If the police arrest someone for DUI, they will ask you to submit to a chemical test to determine your blood alcohol content (BAC). If you refuse this test, your license will be suspended for one year. If you have a prior refusal on your record, or if you are under the age of 21, your license will be suspended for two years. There are some ways to avoid this suspension and you will need the help of an attorney.

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Driver’s License Revocations and Appeals to the OHAO – Michigan Secretary of State

By Attorney James Czarnecki|Czarnecki & Taylor PLLC|NOV 11, 2022

License Revocations and Appeals to the OHAO - Michigan Secretary of State
License Revocations and Appeals to the OHAO – Michigan Secretary of State


If the Michigan Secretary of State revoked your driver’s license because of multiple drunk driving convictions, you may appeal the revocation to the Michigan Office of Hearings and Administrative Oversight (OHAO). The OHAO reviews driver’s license revocation appeals and determines whether to overturn the revocation. This article discusses license revocations and appeals to the OHAO.

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A Michigan Third Offense OWI is a felony.

By Attorney James Czarnecki|Czarnecki & Taylor PLLC|NOV 9,2022

What you need to know about a Michigan third offense OWI felony charge.
What you need to know about a Michigan third offense OWI felony charge.

A Michigan third offense OWI felony is a serious charge that can have severe consequences for those convicted. If someone has two or more prior drinking and driving offense when arrested for another OWI, they will be charged with a felony.

Like other OWI offenses, a Michigan third offense felony has harsh penalties, including mandatory jail time, steep fines, and driver’s license revocation, vehicle immobilization and more. Those convicted of a felony may face severe consequences, such as difficulty finding employment or housing because of their criminal record.

Why does Michigan take these charges so seriously? One reason is that driving under the influence poses a significant risk to public safety, putting both drivers and pedestrians at risk of serious injury or death. Repeat offenders are flagrant violators of Michigan’s drunk driving laws.

If you are charged with a Michigan third offense OWI felony, it is important to seek legal counsel as soon as possible. A qualified criminal defense attorney can help guide you through the complex legal process and advocate on your behalf in court. With the help of an experienced lawyer, you can protect your rights and future possibilities from being undermined by a conviction.

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10 tips to help you find the best Michigan criminal lawyer.

By Attorney James Czarnecki|Czarnecki & Taylor PLLC|NOV 8, 2022

10 tips to help you find the best Michigan criminal defense attorney.
10 tips to help you find the best Michigan criminal defense attorney.

How do you find the best Michigan criminal lawyer for your case among so many to choose from? What qualities do you look for? Where do you even look? How do you narrow your search to find only the best?

If you’re facing charges, you want to find the best criminal lawyer for your case. Most people don’t know where to look. The internet can often be a place of confusion. Every attorney on the internet says, “we are the best” or “highest rated” criminal attorneys. One secret is that the State Bar of Michigan doesn’t rank attorneys like college football teams. If the State Bar of Michigan had a ranking system, I would trust it. But, until they do, you have to be wary of attorney advertisements. In another article, I talked about the so-called “lawyer rating sites” and how they are not completely reliable.

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What should you do when Michigan police want to talk to you?

By Attorney James Czarnecki|Czarnecki & Taylor PLLC|NOV 8, 2022

If Michigan police want to talk to you, you should remain silent and hire a highly qualified criminal defense attorney.
If the police in Michigan want to talk to you, you should do two things: (1) Remain silent; and (2) hire an experienced criminal defense attorney as early as possible.

This article discusses what you should do when any Michigan police officer wants to talk to you about a crime. For starters, the statement in the photo is accurate. If you speak to the police, you risk having your statements taken out of context, misconstrued, or misquoted. If you learn anything from this article, you should (1) remain silent and (2) immediately retain an attorney.

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A Michigan OWI will negatively impact your CDL.

By Attorney James Czarnecki|Czarnecki & Taylor PLLC|NOV 6, 2022

A Michigan OWI will negatively impact your CDL.
A Michigan OWI will negatively impact your CDL.

As a professional driver, getting arrested for an OWI can have serious consequences on your career. Not only will you face severe legal penalties and potentially even jail time, but your commercial driver’s license (CDL) could also be suspended or revoked, which could make it impossible for you to continue working in your field. If you are facing an OWI charge and your CDL is at risk, it is important to seek legal counsel right away in order to protect your rights and work towards a positive outcome.

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Why sober people fail Michigan field sobriety tests.

By Attorney James Czarnecki|Czarnecki & Taylor PLLC|NOV 6, 2022

Sober people can fail Michigan field sobriety tests.
Sober people can fail Michigan field sobriety tests.

First, what are field sobriety tests?

Sobriety tests are designed to assess a person’s level of intoxication. Field sobriety tests typically involve performing various physical and mental tasks in order to determine whether the person is under the influence of alcohol or some other substance. While these tests can help a police officer, sober people can fail them as well. In this blog, we will discuss some reasons sober people fail Michigan field sobriety tests and why their results should be viewed with caution. The most shocking fact is that there is no conclusive evidence that a sober person will perform better on a field sobriety person than a person who is impaired by alcohol.

Police uses field sobriety tests, sometimes called roadside tests, when they suspect that a person is operating while intoxicated, OWI in Michigan. An officer asks the individual to perform specific tests while noting the person’s balance, coordination, attention to instructions, etc. The officer will record the results to support probable cause for an OWI arrest.

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The steps you need to expunge your Michigan Criminal Conviction.

By Attorney James Czarnecki|Czarnecki & Taylor PLLC|NOV 6, 2022

How to expunge your Michigan criminal conviction explained.
The steps you need to expunge your Michigan criminal conviction.

If you have been convicted of a criminal offense in Michigan, you may be eligible to have your record expunged. This process can be complicated and may require the help of an attorney to ensure that it is done correctly. In this blog post, we will discuss some steps involved in expunging your Michigan criminal convictions.

Before we begin the discussion, you should know, in 2023, Michigan will have an automatic expungement process. You can learn more about that in this article.

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What to expect if you are charged with a Michigan Retail Fraud.

By Attorney James Czarnecki|Czarnecki & Taylor PLLC|NOV 5, 2022

Michigan retail fraud
What to expect if you are facing a Michigan retail fraud charge.

If a store catches someone shoplifting, the prosecutor will charge them with retail fraud. A retail fraud conviction can have drastic consequences on a person’s career because employers are hesitant to hire someone with a conviction for theft and dishonesty.  While the crime may not seem serious, the consequences are far-reaching.

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