Carleton, MI Criminal Defense Law Firms & Lawyers

The charge of armed robbery carries a penalty of life or any term of years. When a person gets a term of years, there is a minimum and a maximum. I know someone who recently got 20 to 40 years for an armed robbery case. If a defendant gets life it is parolable life, meaning that he can be considered for parole at any time after 10 years (though most lifers serve far, far more than 10 years). If the defendant has not yet been sentenced, consult with the lawyer about what you can do to keep the sentence at a minimum. Personally appearing at the sentencing could help, as well as a letter. The prior record will tend to hurt him. If anyone was injured in the robbery that would tend to hurt him. There are sentencing guidelines that apply, but to calculate them I would need to know a lot more about the case and the defendant's background. His lawyer can calculate them. Under the ruling in People v Lockridge, the sentencing guidelines are only advisory, and the judge can sentence higher or lower than the guidelines if he or she finds it appropriate.

If you can turn in your papers via someone else, like a lawyer, that would be best if you are concerned about being tested. At the end of the day, you really should stay sober until the case is closed. It is not worth the risk.