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Our East Lansing criminal defense lawyer at Ben Hall Law knows Michigan’s Habitual Offender Law significantly impacts criminal cases and sentencing for repeat offenders.

This law allows for enhanced penalties for individuals who have prior felony convictions and are subsequently convicted of new felony offenses. The goal is to deter repeat offenses by imposing stricter punishments on those with a criminal history in Michigan.

Habitual Offender Law Impact Criminal Cases and Sentencing for Repeat Offenders

What are the Key Provisions of the Habitual Offender Law in Michigan?

The law mandates increased sentences for offenders with previous felony convictions. The severity of the enhancement depends on the number of prior felony convictions.

The enhancements are tiered based on the number of prior felony convictions, and may include:

  • Second Offense

If an individual has one prior felony conviction, the maximum sentence for the new felony can be increased by up to 1.5 times the original maximum sentence.

  • Third Offense

If an individual has two prior felony convictions, the maximum sentence for the new felony can be increased by up to twice the original maximum sentence.

  • Fourth or Subsequent Offense

If an individual has three or more prior felony convictions, the maximum sentence for the new felony can be increased by up to life imprisonment or any term of years.

While the law provides for enhanced sentencing, judges have some discretion in determining the extent of the sentence enhancement based on the circumstances of the case and the offender’s criminal history.

Certain offenses may carry mandatory minimum sentences, which can be further enhanced under the habitual offender provisions. For the most severe repeat offenders—those with three or more prior felonies—life imprisonment can be imposed even if the new felony would not typically carry such a severe penalty.

If you have been convicted of one or more felonies (or attempts to commit felonies), you could potentially face sentencing as a “habitual offender” in the future. If you suspect that you may be at risk for an extended sentence or have already been notified of habitual offender status, it is crucial that you seek legal representation immediately.

Contact Our Criminal Defense Attorney in Michigan Today

Contact our criminal defense lawyer in Michigan to discuss your case with a trusted professional who believes in you and your case by calling (877)-236-4255 or contacting us online. Your fight is our fight. Let’s get started.

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Client Reviews

“Mr. Hall was a huge help. Being a former police officer and a former prosecutor was evident in his knowledge of both traffic and criminal laws. Even when I was willing to accept an initial plea deal, he knew that there was so little evidence against me that we should counter the offer. I went from a potential criminal case to a fine and 0 points. I could not be happier with my outcome. Thank you Mr. Hall!”

Anonymous

“I had an excellent experience with this law office. Ben Hall was able to handle my situation promptly and thoroughly, I was thankful we were able to avoided the hassle of going to court. I was looking for housing and if that isn’t an overwhelming task in itself, once I found a place that had vacancies they did not want to allow my support dog and the lady responsible for processing my application began sending me in circles and improperly handled the application process. It was to the point I didn’t think I was going to get housing when I contacted Ben Hall. He dove right in and explained to me the process and options and he guided me how to proceed and also contacted the housing development and let them know what their options were and how this was going to go if they continued to unjustly process my application… I received housing promptly with no further issues! So thankful for this option to pay such a minimal fee to have a lawyer in your corner and build a relationship with them. In a world were nothing is for sure it is a comfort to have such ease of access with this law office.”

Melinda

“Ben was very generous with his time and expertise. He asked straightforward questions and offered excellent options to meet our objectives. Amazing turn around on short deadlines. We needed a legal opinion dealing with a conflict of interest on a local school board. WOW! Ben really understood the issues andbour concerns. He produced an amazing 8 page opinion in in a weeks time. And he worked with us on minimizing legal fees.”

Dave

“Mr. Hall was a huge help. Being a former police officer and a former prosecutor was evident in his knowledge of both traffic and criminal laws. Even when I was willing to accept an initial plea deal, he knew that there was so little evidence against me that we should counter the offer. I went from a potential criminal case to a fine and 0 points. I could not be happier with my outcome. Thank you Mr. Hall!”

Anonymous

Ben was very generous with his time and expertise. He asked straightforward questions and offered excellent options to meet our objectives. Amazing turn around on short deadlines. We needed a legal opinion dealing with a conflict of interest on a local school board. WOW! Ben really understood the issues andbour concerns. He produced an amazing 8 page opinion in in a weeks time. And he worked with us on minimizing legal fees.

Dave

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