Michigan Criminal Defense Attorney
A criminal charge in Michigan can put your liberty, license, livelihood, and immigration status at stake. Manny Chahal defends clients facing misdemeanor and felony charges across Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, and surrounding counties — in district courts, circuit courts, and federal court. Aggressive motion practice, strategic plea negotiation when warranted, and trial-tested cross-examination — built on a litigator’s track record that includes a $2.135 million Wayne County jury verdict.
Charges We Defend
Strategic, all-stages defense from arraignment through trial and post-conviction relief.
Felonies & Habitual Offender Charges
Defense against high-court misdemeanors and felonies — including habitual offender enhancements under MCL 769.10–.12 that can quadruple maximum sentences.
OWI / DUI / Drugged Driving
Operating While Intoxicated (MCL 257.625), Operating With Presence of Controlled Substance, Super Drunk (≥0.17 BAC), OWI Causing Death/SBI, and OWI 3rd Offense felony charges.
Drug Crimes
Possession, possession with intent, delivery, manufacturing, and conspiracy under the Public Health Code (MCL 333.7401–.7405). Includes federal CDS prosecutions.
Assault, Domestic Violence & Weapons
Assault & battery, aggravated assault, AWIGBH, domestic violence (MCL 750.81), felonious assault, felony firearm (MCL 750.227b), and CCW charges.
White-Collar & Financial Crimes
Embezzlement, larceny by conversion, fraud, identity theft, financial exploitation of vulnerable adults, and federal wire/mail/bank fraud prosecutions.
Theft, Retail Fraud & Property Crimes
Larceny in a building, retail fraud (MCL 750.356c–d), receiving and concealing stolen property, B&E, and home invasion (1st, 2nd, 3rd degree).
Federal Criminal Defense
Defense in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan — drug conspiracies, healthcare fraud, firearms offenses, and white-collar prosecutions.
Juvenile, Expungement & Set-Aside
Juvenile delinquency proceedings, MCL 712A.18 dispositions, Clean Slate Act expungements (MCL 780.621 et seq.), and HYTA (MCL 762.11) youthful trainee status.
Michigan Criminal Law — Critical Statutes
Charge-specific statutes, sentencing enhancements, and post-conviction relief authorities.
The Criminal Case Process
From arrest to resolution — every stage demands a different defensive playbook.
Arrest & Arraignment
Bond argument, conditions of release, and immediate preservation of evidence and witness statements.
Preliminary Exam (Felonies)
Probable cause hearing in district court — often the first chance to suppress evidence or reduce charges.
Pretrial Motions & Discovery
Motions to suppress, dismiss, or sever; discovery of police reports, body cam, lab reports, and 911 calls.
Plea Negotiation or Trial
Cobbs/Killebrew sentence agreements, plea-under-advisement (MCL 771.1), or jury trial with cross-examination.
Penalties & Collateral Consequences
A conviction reaches far beyond fines and jail. Defense strategy must account for every downstream consequence.
Driver’s License Sanctions
Suspension, revocation, mandatory ignition interlock, and Secretary of State implied-consent hearings.
Professional Licensing
LARA actions against medical, legal, real estate, contractor, and CDL licenses triggered by certain convictions.
Immigration Consequences
Padilla-compliant defense for non-citizens — avoiding aggravated felonies and CIMTs that trigger removal or inadmissibility.
Firearm & Civil Rights
Federal lifetime firearm prohibition (18 U.S.C. § 922(g)), Michigan firearm restrictions, and voting/jury restrictions.
Employment & Background
ICHAT records, FCRA-reportable convictions, and clearance impacts that follow you long after the case ends.
SORA Registration
Tier I, II, and III registration under the Sex Offenders Registration Act — 15-year, 25-year, or lifetime obligations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I talk to police if they want to “just ask a few questions”?
No. You have a Fifth Amendment right to remain silent and a Sixth Amendment right to counsel. Politely state that you wish to speak with an attorney and decline to answer questions until counsel is present.
How long does a criminal case take in Michigan?
Misdemeanors typically resolve in 2–6 months; felonies often run 6–18 months from arraignment to disposition. Federal cases routinely take 12–24 months. Trial cases can take longer.
Can a Michigan conviction be expunged?
Yes — under the Clean Slate Act (MCL 780.621 et seq.), most misdemeanors are eligible after 7 years and most felonies after 10 years. Some convictions (CSC, traffic offenses, life-maximum felonies) remain ineligible.
What is HYTA and who qualifies?
The Holmes Youthful Trainee Act (MCL 762.11) allows offenders aged 17–25 at the time of the offense to plead and have their record sealed if they successfully complete probation — preserving employment and education prospects.
Will a domestic violence charge affect my gun rights?
Yes. A misdemeanor DV conviction triggers a federal lifetime firearm prohibition under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(9) — separate from any Michigan-law firearm restriction. This is one reason DV charges should never be plead lightly.
What if I’m not a U.S. citizen?
Padilla v. Kentucky requires defense counsel to advise you on immigration consequences. Certain convictions trigger automatic removal even for lawful permanent residents. We coordinate with immigration counsel before any plea.
Michigan DUI & OWI Drunk Driving Defense
Operating While Intoxicated (OWI), Operating While Visibly Impaired (OWVI), Super Drunk (BAC ≥ 0.17), Operating With Presence of Drugs (OWPD), and OWI Causing Death/Serious Bodily Injury defense — across Michigan district and circuit courts.
Misdemeanor
- Up to 93 days jail · up to $500 fine
- License suspension 30 days + 150 days restricted
- 6 points on driving record
Enhanced Misdemeanor
- Up to 180 days jail · up to $700 fine
- License suspension 45 days + 320 days restricted with BAIID
- Mandatory alcohol treatment
Misdemeanor
- Mandatory min 5 days jail OR 30 days community service
- License revocation min 1 year
- Vehicle immobilization 90–180 days
Felony
- 1–5 years prison · $500–$5,000 fine
- Lifetime license revocation
- Vehicle forfeiture · permanent felony record
Felony
- Up to 15 years prison · up to $10,000 fine
- License revocation · vehicle forfeiture
Felony
- Up to 5 years prison · up to $5,000 fine
- License revocation · restitution
OWI Defense Strategies
A failed breath number does not end the case. Defenses include challenges to traffic-stop legality, NHTSA-protocol field sobriety test administration, Datamaster DMT calibration and operator certification, blood-draw chain of custody and Schmerber/Birchfield/Mitchell warrant issues, “operation” under Michigan case law, and reduction to OWVI / impaired driving plea outcomes that preserve driving privileges and avoid felony enhancement on a future case.
English 
Hindi 
Panjabi