According to the Ann Arbor Police Department, the City of Ann Arbor had four home invasions and one attempted home invasion this past weekend.
According to the reports, three of these homes were accessed through unlocked or open doors. Although unfortunate events for these home owners, these three homes became easy targets when the home owners failed to use their better judgment.
In one of the incidents a person's car was stolen from the parking lot, along with furniture, televisions, an Xbox and an iPad. The car was recovered and the Ann Arbor Police Department have a suspect in custody. In the other three incidents, it appears that laptops were stolen.
One suspect in custody, and any further suspects face some serious charges. There are seven distinct charges associated with Home Invasion and Breaking and Entering in Michigan. It's possible to be charged with more than crime for a single incident. The most serious possible offense is Home invasion in the first degree, which is a Michigan felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 20 years or a fine of not more than $5,000.00, or both.
Depending upon the suspects criminal records and some input from the victims, it's not unthinkable that these suspects could avoid prison time in Washtenaw County. If the suspects are under 21 years old, they may qualify for the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act (HYTA).
Either way, these suspects are going to need to hire a good Ann Arbor criminal defense lawyer who will be able to evaluate the evidence and have an intelligent conversation with the assigned prosecuting attorney. As a former New York and Michigan prosecutor, I would make the victim's my number one priority, which would include getting them restitution for any personal property missing, and repair of any physical damage to their real property. From there, I would speak to the victim's about what they would like to see happen with this case going forward.
Based on those conversations, I would approach the suspect's Ann Arbor criminal defense attorney and see what sort of plea bargain could be negotiated. Some members of the public are appalled with plea bargaining, but it's a necessary tool in the criminal justice system. A prosecutor seeks justice not convictions, and a mutually agreed upon plea bargain where the victims are made whole and the perpetrator is punished in an equitable fashion is the ultimate goal. The criminal justice system must seek to punish yet rehabilitate criminals; this is why the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act (HYTA) and other similar programs were created.
According to the reports, three of these homes were accessed through unlocked or open doors. Although unfortunate events for these home owners, these three homes became easy targets when the home owners failed to use their better judgment.
In one of the incidents a person's car was stolen from the parking lot, along with furniture, televisions, an Xbox and an iPad. The car was recovered and the Ann Arbor Police Department have a suspect in custody. In the other three incidents, it appears that laptops were stolen.
One suspect in custody, and any further suspects face some serious charges. There are seven distinct charges associated with Home Invasion and Breaking and Entering in Michigan. It's possible to be charged with more than crime for a single incident. The most serious possible offense is Home invasion in the first degree, which is a Michigan felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 20 years or a fine of not more than $5,000.00, or both.
Depending upon the suspects criminal records and some input from the victims, it's not unthinkable that these suspects could avoid prison time in Washtenaw County. If the suspects are under 21 years old, they may qualify for the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act (HYTA).
Either way, these suspects are going to need to hire a good Ann Arbor criminal defense lawyer who will be able to evaluate the evidence and have an intelligent conversation with the assigned prosecuting attorney. As a former New York and Michigan prosecutor, I would make the victim's my number one priority, which would include getting them restitution for any personal property missing, and repair of any physical damage to their real property. From there, I would speak to the victim's about what they would like to see happen with this case going forward.
Based on those conversations, I would approach the suspect's Ann Arbor criminal defense attorney and see what sort of plea bargain could be negotiated. Some members of the public are appalled with plea bargaining, but it's a necessary tool in the criminal justice system. A prosecutor seeks justice not convictions, and a mutually agreed upon plea bargain where the victims are made whole and the perpetrator is punished in an equitable fashion is the ultimate goal. The criminal justice system must seek to punish yet rehabilitate criminals; this is why the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act (HYTA) and other similar programs were created.
