What Should You Do After Being Charged With a Felony in Michigan?

Being charged with a felony can be one of the most serious encounters you have with the criminal justice system. A felony conviction may carry significant consequences, including imprisonment, fines, and effects that can extend well beyond the courtroom.



However, being charged with a felony does not mean you have been convicted. The prosecution still has the burden of proving the case, and you have important constitutional rights throughout the criminal process.

If you are facing felony charges anywhere in Michigan, understanding what to do—and what to avoid doing—can help you protect yourself as the case moves forward.

What Is Considered a Felony in Michigan?

Michigan law divides crimes into felonies and misdemeanors. Under the Michigan Penal Code, a felony generally refers to an offense for which a person may be punished by imprisonment in state prison.

Felony charges vary considerably in severity. Depending on the alleged offense, a case could involve assault, weapons, drugs, serious property crimes, homicide, or other allegations.

The potential sentence and other consequences depend on the specific charge, the circumstances surrounding the alleged offense, prior criminal history, and other factors.

Exercise Your Right to Remain Silent

After being arrested or accused of a felony, you may feel that explaining your side of the story will resolve the situation.

Be careful about making statements about the allegations without understanding how they could affect your case.

You have a constitutional right to remain silent, and Michigan's court rules recognize both a defendant's right to counsel and the right not to testify at trial without an inference being drawn from that silence.

You should also avoid discussing the details of the allegations with friends, acquaintances, or others who could later be asked about what you said.

Don't Discuss Your Case on Social Media

Social media can create additional problems after a felony charge.

Posts, photographs, videos, direct messages, comments, and other digital communications may potentially become relevant evidence. Even something you believe proves your innocence could be interpreted differently when viewed without context.

Avoid posting about:

• The alleged incident
• The alleged victim
• Witnesses
• Police officers
• Evidence
• Your defense strategy
• Upcoming court proceedings

Deleting or altering potentially relevant information can also create problems. Speak with your attorney about how to handle existing digital evidence rather than trying to remove it yourself.

What Happens at a Felony Arraignment?

Arraignment is one of the first major court proceedings after a felony charge.

At this stage, the court addresses the charges and the defendant's rights. The court may also consider bond and conditions of release.

Depending on the circumstances, release conditions may restrict contact with particular people, possession of weapons, travel, alcohol or drug use, or other activities.

Take every condition seriously. Violating a court order while the original felony case is pending can make an already difficult situation more complicated.

What Is a Probable Cause Conference?

Michigan felony cases generally include a probable cause conference, unless it is waived by both parties.

This proceeding gives the prosecution, defendant, and defense attorney an opportunity to address issues such as possible plea negotiations, bond modifications, stipulations, and other matters relevant to the case.

The probable cause conference is therefore an important stage at which the direction of the case may begin to become clearer.

What Happens at a Preliminary Examination?

When applicable and not waived, a felony defendant is entitled to a preliminary examination.

A preliminary examination is not the criminal trial. Instead, the court evaluates whether there is probable cause to believe that a qualifying crime was committed and that the defendant committed it.

The prosecution may present witnesses and other evidence. The defense may have opportunities to cross-examine witnesses and address the evidence presented.

If the required probable cause is established, the case may be bound over to circuit court for further proceedings. If it is not established, the court has other options, which can include dismissing or reducing charges depending on the circumstances.

Preserve Information That May Help Your Defense

Evidence can disappear quickly.

If you have information that may be relevant to the allegations, tell your attorney about it as soon as possible. Depending on the case, useful evidence could include:

• Text messages or emails
• Photographs or videos
• Surveillance footage
• Phone records
• Receipts
• Location information
• Names of potential witnesses
• Medical records
• Other documents connected to the incident

Do not contact witnesses or an alleged victim in violation of a court order. Instead, provide relevant information to your attorney so it can be handled appropriately.

How Is the Evidence Against You Evaluated?

A felony defense involves more than simply reading the police report.

Depending on the allegations, important questions may include:

• Was the search or seizure lawful?
• Were statements obtained legally?
• Are witnesses reliable?
• Does video evidence support the allegations?
• Is forensic or physical evidence being interpreted accurately?
• Can the prosecution establish every element of the charged offense?
• Are there inconsistencies in the government's evidence?
• Does a recognized defense apply?

Every felony case is different. The appropriate strategy should be based on the actual evidence rather than assumptions about what usually happens with a particular charge.

Should You Accept a Plea Agreement?

Not automatically.

Plea negotiations are common in criminal cases, and Michigan's probable cause conference specifically allows for discussions concerning possible plea agreements.

But accepting a plea can mean giving up significant constitutional rights. Before accepting a guilty or no-contest plea, a defendant should understand the charge, potential sentence, consequences of the conviction, and rights being waived.

A plea offer should therefore be evaluated in light of the evidence, possible defenses, risks of proceeding further, and the client's individual circumstances.

What Happens if the Case Goes to Trial?

If the case is not resolved beforehand, it may proceed toward trial.

At trial, the defendant retains important rights, including the presumption of innocence. The prosecution bears the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. A defendant also has rights involving witnesses, cross-examination, testimony, and remaining silent.

Trial preparation can involve reviewing evidence, filing and arguing motions, preparing witnesses, challenging prosecution evidence, developing the defense theory, and preparing for examination and cross-examination in court.

Why Does Courtroom Experience Matter in a Felony Case?

Felony cases can involve multiple hearings, evidentiary disputes, motions, negotiations, and potentially a trial. Understanding how a case moves through the courtroom can be especially important when the stakes are high.

Attorney Deborah Geraldine Bledsoe Ford served as a judge for 18 years and comes from a family of judges. She brings that courtroom perspective to defending people accused of serious crimes throughout Michigan.

Her experience on the bench provides a distinctive perspective when evaluating how criminal cases are presented, challenged, and handled in court.

Take a Felony Charge Seriously From the Beginning

One of the biggest mistakes someone can make is assuming there will be plenty of time to deal with a felony charge later.

Important decisions can arise early in the process. Bond conditions, evidence preservation, statements to law enforcement, probable cause proceedings, and other issues may affect how the case develops.

You should also:

• Attend every required court appearance
• Follow all bond and release conditions
• Avoid discussing the allegations publicly
• Preserve potentially relevant evidence
• Avoid contacting protected individuals
• Keep your attorney informed about developments in the case

Taking the charge seriously does not mean assuming the worst. It means protecting your rights while the allegations are investigated and challenged.

How Can Attorney Deborah Geraldine Bledsoe Ford Help?

If you have been charged with a felony, you deserve to understand the allegations against you, the evidence involved, and what happens next.

Attorney Deborah Geraldine Bledsoe Ford represents clients throughout the state of Michigan in serious criminal matters, including felony, misdemeanor, assault, murder, and OWI cases.

With 18 years of experience as a former judge and a family background rooted in the judiciary, Attorney Ford brings extensive courtroom perspective to criminal defense.

If you are facing a felony charge in Michigan, contact Attorney Deborah Geraldine Bledsoe Ford to discuss your case, your rights, and your defense options.