The flavor of the month for dealing with suspected drunk drivers in extreme cases like felonies, accidents involving injury or death, even some 1st time defendants with an extremely high BrAC or BAC seems to be ordering the defendant to undergo a substance abuse assessment.

Attorney Fred Bell will participate as a mentor for Defendants taking advantage of the new Veterans Court established for Ingham County and operating from 54B District Court in East Lansing.

A Nichols Law Firm client received no jail despite a Probation Officer’s recommendation that the Judge impose 62 days! The client was charged with Felony Aggravated Stalking. Attorney Fred Bell was able to secure a reduced misdemeanor charge and then argued successfully at sentencing, that the client’s mental issues and treatment plan made incarcerating his client the least likely option to deter future conduct and protect the community. Mr. Bell said, “this is less a crime and more a family tragedy where a young person’s promising future has been devastated by the sudden onset of an insidious but treatable mental health disorder.”  

Fred Bell, recently represented a client charged with a 15 year felony of Unarmed Robbery. After interviewing his client and reviewing various discovery materials,Mr. Bell was able to negotiate the charge down to Retail Fraud 3^rd and Simple Assault, both 93 day misdemeanors.

Mr. Bell represented a pair of teens in Northern Michigan charged with 6 offenses between them for operating under the influence of drugs, possession offenses and several motor vehicle code violations including speeding at 84 in a 55 mph zone. All but 2 of the charges were ultimately dismissed. The driver received a sentence of fines and costs without any probation, while the passenger received a deferral with an expungment when probation is completed in 6 months.

Prosecutors agreed to dismiss an assault and battery charge against Mr. Bell’s client when confronted with medical records indicating complainants injuries were self-inflicted.