Former Michigan Prosecutor | Jonathan Andrew Paul
  • Crimes
    • Domestic Violence >
      • Proactive Criminal Defense - Michigan Domestic Violence
    • College/Tailgate Offenses >
      • Minor in Possession
      • Ann Arbor Urinating in Public
      • Ann Arbor Open Intoxicant
      • Ann Arbor Possession Fake ID
    • Retail Fraud >
      • Proactive Criminal Defense - Michigan Retail Fraud
    • Drug Offenses >
      • Proactive Criminal Defense - Michigan Possession of Marijuana
    • Assaultive
    • Resisting Arrest
    • Handling a Traffic Ticket
    • Careless/Reckless Driving
    • Larceny
    • Malicious Destruction of Property
    • Embezzlement
    • Juvenile Charges
    • Early Discharge Probation
  • Drunk Driving
    • Evidence >
      • Chemical Tests >
        • Implied Consent Law
        • Independent Chemical Test
        • Single Car Accident Cases
        • Effects of Body Temperature
        • Cross-Examining the DataMaster
        • Blood Testing 101
        • Impact of Methyl Alcohol/Paraldehyde
        • Radio Frequency Issues w/DataMaster
      • Right to Counsel
      • Preliminary Breath Test (PBT)
      • Field Sobriety Tests
      • Police Traffic Stop >
        • Sleeping in Car Defense
        • Cross-Examination - The Not Driving Defense
      • Police Statements
    • DUI Consequences >
      • Ignition Interlock
      • Restitution
      • Vehicle Immobilization
      • Travel Restrictions
      • Child Custody
      • Employment/Education
      • Traveling to Canada?
      • Vehicle Forfeiture
      • Civil Liability
      • Commercial Driver's License
    • DUI Trial Guide >
      • Jury Selection
      • Opening Statement
      • Cross-Examination
      • Closing Argument
      • Jury vs Bench Trial
    • Setting Bond >
      • Alcohol/Drug Testing Part #1
      • Alcohol/Drug Testing Part #2
      • Posting Bond
    • DUI Offenses >
      • Operating While Intoxicated
      • Operating While Visibly Impaired
      • Super Drunk/High BAC
      • Operating Presence of Controlled Substance
      • Felony Drunk Driving
      • DUI Under 21 Years Old
      • DUI Causing Injury/Death
    • Sobriety Court
    • DUI Pardons
  • Courts
    • Oakland County >
      • Novi >
        • Proactive Criminal Defense at the 52-1 District Court
      • Troy
      • Southfield
      • Royal Oak/Berkley
      • Rochester Hills
      • Farmington Hills
      • Bloomfield Hills/Birmingham
      • Waterford
      • Clarkston
      • Oak Park
      • Pontiac
      • Ferndale/Hazel Park/Madison Heights
    • Wayne County >
      • More Courts >
        • Allen Park
        • Dearborn Heights
        • Detroit
        • Ecorse
        • Hamtramck
        • Harper Woods
        • Highland
        • Lincoln Park
        • Redford
        • Southgate
        • Taylor
        • Woodhaven
        • Wyandotte
      • Plymouth >
        • Proactive Criminal Defense at the 35th District Court
      • Northville
      • Canton
      • Romulus
      • Livonia
      • Dearborn
      • Grosse Pointe
      • Westland
    • Macomb County >
      • Center Line
      • Clinton Township
      • Eastpointe
      • Fraser
      • New Baltimore
      • Romeo
      • Roseville
      • Shelby Township
      • Sterling Heights
      • St. Clair Shores
      • Warren
    • Washtenaw County >
      • Proactive Washtenaw County Criminal Defense >
        • Winning in Washtenaw County
        • Domestic Violence - Survival Guide
        • Tailgate Offenses - Survival Guide
        • Drunk Driving - Survival Guide
        • Drug Case - Survival Guide
        • Retail Fraud - Survival Guide
      • Ann Arbor >
        • Proactive Ann Arbor Criminal Defense at the 15th District Court
      • Chelsea
      • Pittsfield Township
      • Saline
      • Ypsilanti 14-A
      • Ypsilanti 14-B
    • Jackson County
    • Lenawee County
    • Livingston County
    • Monroe County
    • East Lansing
  • Hiring a Super Lawyer
  • Our Team
  • Expungement
  • 5-Star DUI Defense
  • Legal Guides
    • FAQ
    • Arrested in Michigan? NOW WHAT!
    • Being Investigated?
    • 18 Key Questions for DUI's
    • Michigan License Restoration
  • Proactive Criminal Defense
  • Contact Me
  • Client Reviews
  • Inside the Prosecutor Mind
    • Drunk Driving >
      • OWI First Offense
      • OWI Second Offense
      • OWI Third Offense
      • Field Sobriety Tests
      • Chemical Tests
      • Implied Consent
      • Hardship License
      • Sobriety Court
    • Expungement
    • Assault/DV Charges >
      • Domestic Violence
      • Misdemeanor Assault
      • Felonious Assault
    • Theft Offenses >
      • Retail Fraud
      • Embezzlement
      • Larceny
    • Drug Charges >
      • Possession of Marijuana
      • Felony Drug Possession
    • Driving - Traffic >
      • Reckless Careless Driving
      • Driving While License Suspended
      • Leaving Scene of Accident
    • Disorderly Conduct
    • Probation Violation
    • Resisting Arrest
    • Malicious Destruction of Property
    • Travel Requests
    • Bond Violations
    • College Offenses >
      • Open Container
      • Minor in Possession (MIP)
      • Urinating in Public
      • Fake ID
  • Blog
mip in michigan, sentence, jail, fines, minor in possession lawyer

Call Me: 248-924-9458

Ann Arbor Criminal Defense Lawyer 
Who Has the Power?

Clients are always somewhat confused about the role of the prosecutor vs the judge.  This makes sense, because most of my clients have never been in a courtroom before, and besides seeing things on TV, have very little knowledge.

So I explain it this way.  The prosecutor is the one who charges you with the crime.  They also have the power to dismiss charges or change the charges to cut a plea deal.  They have no power over your sentence other than advocating their position.

The judge on the other hand does not charge you, and doesn't have the power to reduce or change charges (only in very limited circumstances such as a preliminary examination).  The judge has total discretion over your sentence.  A jury or a judge has the power to find you guilty or not guilty at a trial.    

Unique to my practice is the client has their own power.  I empower my clients with my proactive approach to improve their case from day one.  My clients don't sit back and let the prosecutor and judge push them around in court.  We take control of the case outside the courtroom in order to increase our power inside the courtroom.  My approach has the potential to greatly impact reductions or dismissal of charges and improve sentencing.
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Jonathan Andrew PaulReviewsout of 155 reviews


Representing clients in Ann Arbor, Canton, Brighton, Howell, Saline, Adrian, Taylor, Plymouth, Northville, Westland, Ypsilanti, Pittsfield Towsnhip, Warren, Sterling Heights, Farmington, Pontiac, Romulus, Lansing, Novi, South Lyon, Southfield, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Royal Oak, Troy, Rochester, Jackson, East Lansing, Garden City, Livonia, Dearborn, Detroit, St Clair Shores, Hazel Park, Ferndale, Madison Heights, Waterford, Milford, Shelby Township Clarkston, Oak Park, Berkley, Fraser, Sterling Heights, Clinton Township and others throughout Washtenaw, Wayne, Monroe, Jackson,  Macomb, Ingham, Lenawee, Livingston and Oakland County. 

Representing clients faced with DUI/drunk driving, retail fraud, possession of marijuana, domestic violence, MIP/in possession and other misdemeanor and felony charges. 
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Fax Number: 248 419-1169

Evening & Weekend Service Available Call Me: 248-924-9458

Michigan Defense Attorney Jonathan Paul | Former New York & Michigan Prosecutor