Michigan Sex Crime Attorneys Blog

A Michigan Court of Appeals has ruled that new testimony may be heard in the sexual assault case of Lorinda Swain. Swain is seeking a new trial on sexual assault charges after being convicted by a jury in 2002 of first-degree criminal sexual conduct involving her son. Criminal sexual conduct is a generic term referring to a group of sexual crimes including rape, sexual assault, statutory rape and child molestation. Each degree of criminal sexual conduct offense carries with it different penalties, with first degree being the most serious.

Since her conviction in 2002, Swain has sought to overturn her conviction after discovering new evidence not raised at trial. This past week, a three-judge panel found that lawyers from the University of Michigan's Innocence Clinic should be allowed to present this additional evidence to Calhoun County Circuit Court Judge Conrad Sindt.

Sex crimes charges are serious, and a conviction for criminal sexual conduct can have a significant impact on your future and your freedom. If you have been charged with a Michigan sex crime, it is important to speak with an aggressive Michigan sex crimes defense attorney immediately to begin preparing your defense. Where you have been convicted of a sex crime, a Michigan sex crimes appeals attorney can determine whether appealable issues exists and review the trial record to ensure your side of the case was fully and effectively presented before the jury and weaknesses properly exposed.

Here, several issues were raised on appeal - including the discovery of new, exculpatory evidence.

Continue reading "Lorinda Swain Wins Right To Present More Evidence In Quest To Overturn Sexual Assault Conviction in State of Michigan v. Swain " »

The Huron Daily Tribune reports that the Huron County Court determined on Monday to set aside the 2006 fourth degree criminal sexual conduct conviction of Kenneth Adkins. Criminal sexual conduct is a general term referring to sex crimes that are categorized into four degrees - criminal sexual conduct first degree, criminal sexual conduct second degree, criminal sexual conduct third degree and criminal sexual conduct fourth degree. Criminal sexual conduct fourth degree fourth degree refers to sexual touching of an intimate body part without penetration.

If you are under investigation for or have been charged with any form of criminal sexual conduct, it is crucial to speak to an aggressive Michigan sex crimes defense attorney right away to protect your rights and begin preparing your defense.

Here, a Huron County jury convicted Adkins of the sex crime for allegedly making advances to a part-time dietary aid and reaching his hands down the front of her pants. He was sentenced to 90 days in jail, probation of 30 months and must register on the Michigan sex crimes registry for 15 years from the date of the offense.

On Monday, Adkins was in court seeking to set aside his conviction - sometimes referred to as an expungement. Expungements may be possible in certain sex crimes if you only have one conviction and your conviction is for a lesser sex offense. The guidelines are set for in MCL 780.621 et. seq. and MCL 712A.1. A knowledgeable Michigan sex crimes appeals attorney can advise you whether an expungement is possible in your matter.

Continue reading "Huron County Court Sets Aside Criminal Sexual Conduct Conviction In Adkins Case" »

After hearing testimony from Calhoun County prosecutors and representatives from the Michigan Innocence Project, Calhoun County judge Conrad Sindt granted Lorinda Swain a new hearing on charges she sexually assaulted her son nearly ten years ago.

If you have been charged with any Michigan sex crime, it is critical to contact an experienced Michigan sex crimes defense lawyer to protect your future and your freedom.

Here, Swain was convicted of molesting her son based primarily on her son's testimony. Swain denied the allegations, and her son repeatedly recanted his testimony, but she was still convicted. News reports indicate that several other witnesses who could have helped establish her defense were never called by her former attorney, including the failure of Calhoun County detectives to tell Swain's former attorney about testimony from her boyfriend that the incident never happened.

Based on claims of new information and ineffective counsel, Swain is seeking a new trial.

Continue reading "West Michigan Woman Granted New Hearing In Sex Abuse Case" »

Last year a Calhoun County judge overturned the sexual assault conviction of Lorinda Swain and granted her a new trial. She had been convicted of four counts of first-degree sexual conduct for allegedly having oral sex with her son.

If you have been charged with any Michigan sex crime, it is important to contact an aggressive Michigan sex crimes defense lawyer to immediately begin preparing your defense. If you have been convicted of a sex crime or accepted a plea agreement that seemed unfair you may want to seek appellate review.

Here, based on claims of ineffective assistance - including the failure to call witnesses who could have helped Swain's case - the original conviction was overturned and Swain was granted a new trial. However, the Michigan Court of Appeals subsequently reversed the circuit court ruling, and the Michigan Supreme Court refused to hear the case. A new hearing will be held on May 16th to determine whether Swain will be sent back to jail or receive the new trial she deserves.

Continue reading "Burlington Woman With Overturned Conviction Seeks New Trial" »

A man convicted of criminal sexual assault, second degree, has won a new trial due to ineffective assistance of counsel.

The Michigan Court of Appeals ruled that Jeffrey Gioglio's conviction for allegedly sexually assaulting a young girl should be overturned, saying that his constitutional rights were violated because his attorney was so bad.

This case underscores the need to find a knowledgeable, skilled and experienced sex crimes defense attorney if you are facing Michigan criminal sexual conduct charges.

The defense attorney in this case was so poor that it was the winning prosecutor who raised questions about the lawyer's performance. Problems included the failure by the defense to give an opening statement and to cross-examine the accuser. According to the assistant prosecutor, after sentencing defense counsel turned to her, smiled and said, "He's toast!"

The Michigan Court of Appeals found that defense counsel had "failed to meaningfully test the prosecutor's case."

The Court also noted "Our constitutions do not reserve the right to the effective assistance of counsel to only those defendants who are actually innocent...In this case, it is clear that [defense counsel's] performance was so inadequate that, in effect, defendant had no assistance of counsel at all."

Continue reading "Kalamazoo County Man Convicted Of Second Degree Sexual Assault Wins New Trial" »

In November, the Court of Appeals for Livingston County overturned a jury verdict finding Gary Clinton Owens guilty of second-degree criminal sexual conduct. The Court of Appeals found the combination of prosecutorial misconduct as well as inadequate defense representation required that the conviction be overturned. A new trial date has now be set.

This case illustrates the need for an experienced sex crimes defense lawyer when facing any type of criminal sexual conduct charge. Where you or someone you know has been convicted of a sex crime, or accepted a plea that seemed unfair, you may be able to appeal the results.

Here, the Michigan Court of Appeals found enough errors committed on both sides to find that Owens was denied justice. The prosecutor improperly questioned Owens about past drug use and made inappropriate comments about his trustworthiness. Prosecutorial misconduct affected Owens' "substantial rights" by denying him and fair and impartial trial. The errors "seriously affected the fairness, integrity, and public reputation of the judicial proceeding."

Continue reading "New Trial For Pinckney Man After Livingston Court Overturns Criminal Sexual Conduct Case " »

A Pinckney man - Gary Clinton Owens - was freed from jail Wednesday after spending two years in prison on charges of second-degree criminal sexual conduct. A jury had convicted the man of inappropriately touching a then 11-year-old girl.

On appeal however, the Michigan Court of Appeals ruled that the assistant prosecutor engaged in misconduct by improperly referring to Owens' past cocaine use and making inappropriate comments in closing. The Court of Appeals also found that Owens' own attorney had failed to use expert testimony at trial that could have cast doubt about Owens' guilt.

The criminal justice system failed Owens at trial and he spent two years of his life locked up as a result. Unfortunately, the reality is that many people are false accused of and wrongfully charged with committing a criminal sexual conduct offense because the law only requires that an allegation of sexual misconduct be made.

Continue reading "Livingston Judge Sets Aside Criminal Sexual Conduct Conviction Due To Prosecutorial Misconduct" »

According to the Detroit Free Press, the entire 6th Circuit Court of Appeals will review a 2001 rape conviction.

At issue - rape shield laws. Specifically, under what circumstances can the sex life of alleged rape victim be used by the defense at trial.

Generally, Michigan law excludes evidence of the victim's sexual conduct or reputation at trial. However, exceptions may exist in limited circumstances - such as where the sexual conduct is between the accused and the victim, and where the past conduct is relevant to the case at hand.

Here, in a rape trial alleging non-consensual group sex, evidence of a previous act of group sex including the accused and the alleged victim was withheld. The accused - Lewis Gagne - was ultimately convicted and sentenced to up to 45 years in prison.

On appeal, a 3-person panel determined that Gagne's rights were violated at trial. The full 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has now agreed to revisit the case, finding that based on the facts of this case, the trial court violated the defendant's due process rights in applying Michigan's rape shield law.

Continue reading "Federal Appeals Court To Review Ingham County Rape Conviction" »

The Michigan Supreme Court has reversed last year's court of appeal's decision that a South Lyon man was free to go home because "double-jeopardy" barred him from being tried for a criminal sexual misconduct in Lenawee County. Double jeopardy bars the prosecution of an individual for a crime for which he's already been tried.

Often, complicated procedural and substantive issues arise in trial that may significantly affect a defendant's rights, including judges and prosecutors who overstep their legal authority. Appealing a sex crimes conviction or plea can be extremely confusing and complex, but often necessary to ensure justice.

Here, the Michigan man - Douglas Eugene Camp - stood trial in 2007 on charges of sexually abusing his 11-year old nephew. The judge granted a mistrial after a witness testified that the Camp had also been tried in Livingston County on the same charges and found not guilty.

The case was re-tried in 2008, and the new jury found Camp guilty of second-degree criminal sexual conduct. On appeal, the court of appeals determined that Camp had been placed in double jeopardy when the 2007 court declared the mistrial and determined Camp was free to go after serving only two years of his four-year and nine-month to 15-year prison term.

The Michigan Supreme Court reversed this ruling, reinstating the 2008 jury conviction.

Continue reading "Michigan Supreme Court Overturns Court of Appeal's Ruling on Double Jeopardy In Sex Abuse Trial" »