When people come to my office, they’re usually carrying fear, confusion, and a stack of charges that feel impossible to overcome. One recent client came to me with six separate cases in 36th District Court in Detroit and 31st District Court in Hamtramck. He brought with him a long list of serious charges—some carrying maximum penalties of up to 20 years. By the time we finished our work together, he walked out of the courthouse with no probation, no fines, no costs, and no jail. He pled to one count of disorderly person and was found responsible for a simple noise violation.
These results don’t mean the same thing will happen in someone else’s case. Every situation is different. But this story shows what can be possible when the law is used the right way, when strategy is thoughtful, and when your attorney actually takes the time to dig into your case.
What My Client Was Facing
When I first met him, he was charged with:
- Breaking and Entering (10-year max, enhanced to 20 years)
- Entering Without Breaking (5-year max, enhanced to 10 years)
- Larceny in a Building (4-year max, enhanced to 8 years)
- Possession of Heroin (4-year max, enhanced to 8 years)
- A Habitual Third Offender Notice
- Two counts of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Disorderly Person
- A civil infraction for Impeding Traffic
On paper, it looked overwhelming. Many attorneys would have rushed through the process, waived key hearings, and pushed their client toward a plea simply to clear their docket. That’s not how I practice law.
Why Patience Matters
One of the biggest reasons this case turned around was patience. Real defense work takes time: time to investigate, time to research, time to think strategically. When attorneys rush, they miss things. And in criminal law, the things they miss can change someone’s life.
I spent hours researching the heroin charge because something didn’t sit right with me. After digging into the caselaw and consulting with a research attorney, I realized the prosecution was ignoring important legal precedent that made the charge improper. I was prepared to file a motion, but instead I walked the prosecutor through the law. She dismissed the charge without me even needing to file.
That only happens when your attorney actually does the work.
Strategy Isn’t Just About Fighting. It’s About Timing.
The Breaking and Entering related felonies were dismissed because of strategy. The evidence at the preliminary examination was overwhelming. Most attorneys would have waived the hearing. I didn’t.
I insisted on holding the exam, even though the witnesses, prosecutor, and judge were annoyed by my doing so. During preparation, I reviewed discovery with the prosecutor and got her to acknowledge that my client’s confession was coerced. That mattered even more when we learned the arresting officer had been fired for serious disciplinary issues that damaged his credibility.
Once all of that came to light, dismissal became the logical outcome.
This wasn’t luck. It was the result of choosing the right moments to push, the right moments to pause, and the right moments to dig deeper.
Real Work Creates Real Results
This case took:
- Dozens of hearings
- Countless calls and meetings
- Hours of legal research
- Strategic decisions at every step
That’s what clients should expect from their attorney. Not shortcuts. Not rushed decisions. Not someone who sees them as a file number.
KBW Criminal Law takes the time to understand your case, your life, and the law that applies to you. Our 5‑star Google rating reflects that commitment.
A Final Note
This client’s outcome was extraordinary. It doesn’t mean the same thing will happen in your case. But it does show what can happen when you hire an attorney who is patient, strategic, and willing to put in the work.
If you’re facing charges, you deserve someone who will treat your case with the seriousness it deserves. You deserve someone who will explore every angle, research every issue, and fight for the best possible outcome. That is what KBW Criminal Law does.