Michael J. Nichols

In The News

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

ARE YOU, OR YOUR CHILD TOO YOUNG TO DRINK, BUT NOT TOO YOUNG TO SERVE A LIFE SENTENCE?

By Michael Nichols
Categories: Michael J. Nichols

On April 13, 2012, Ingham County Circuit Judge George Economy issued a delayed sentence to 15 year old Charles Lewis Jr. In 2010, Lewis was convicted of the felony murder of 19 year old Shayla Johnson. Ingham County Prosecuting Attorney Stuart Dunnings III requested that Lewis receive a life sentence without parole. Instead, Judge Economy sentenced Lewis to remain in a juvenile detention center until age 21. When Lewis turns 21, he will reappear before the court and either be released or sentenced to life without a parole.

 Juvenile life sentences have been the subject of much debate over the last several years. In Roper v Simmons, 543 US 551 (2005), the United States Supreme Court abolished the juvenile death penalty. In Graham v Florida, the Supreme Court held that juvenile life sentences for crimes other than murder violated the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment. In March 2012, the Supreme Court heard arguments in the cases of Miller v Alabama and Jackson v Hobbs regarding the propriety of juvenile life sentences in murder cases. The Court is expected to rule on these cases sometime this summer.
 
Additionally, East Lansing criminal defense attorney Mike Nichols recently appeared on the Tony Conley Morning Show to discuss juvenile life sentences. The interview can be heard here: http://1320wils.com/page.php?page_id=56559. If you need a criminal defense attorney who will fight for your life, or that of your child, contact Mr. Nichols at mnichols@nicholslaw.net or (517) 432-9000.

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Peer Recognition

Mike Nichols is a national leader in drunk driving defense. He is a member of the Forensic Committee and Michigan delegate to the National College for DUI Defense. He is also a Sustaining Member of the College. Nichols is also a founding member of the Michigan Association of OWI Attorneys; a member of the American Chemical Society; an associate member of he American Academy of Forensic Science, Adjunct Professor of Forensic Evidence in Criminal Law and OWI Law and Practice at Cooley Law School. He is also author of the West OWI Practice book and several chapters in other books on science and the law.

Mike Nichols is recognized by his peers in Michigan as a “SuperLawyer” in DUI/Criminal Defense. Nichols has also been asked to speak at conferences by groups such as the NCDD; Various Bar Associations in other states.