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Charlotte Woman Sentenced to Fifteen Years for DUI-Related Death

by The Schwartz Law Group

Earlier this month in a Charlotte courthouse, a 23-year-old woman was sentenced to 15 years of imprisonment for her involvement in the 2013 death of her boyfriend and the father of her two children. According to one local news report, the woman’s blood-alcohol content was .12 at the time of the accident.

Evidently, the accident took place on Lansing Road, north of Packard Highway, in Charlotte at around 2:20 in the morning. The woman and her boyfriend were on their way home from the bar when they got into an argument. Her boyfriend, who was driving at the time, pulled the car over and got out.

The woman then got into the driver’s seat and began to drive away. However, as she did she hit her boyfriend, killing him. His blood alcohol content at the time was .16. According to court documents, she was “hysterical” when she called police to report the accident.

Just last week, the woman pleaded guilty to one charge of operating a vehicle while intoxicated and causing death. Before she was sentenced, she was given the chance to address the court, and she used the opportunity to apologize for her actions and tell the judge that she was ready to turn her life around.

Sentencing Considerations in Criminal Cases

At trial, the Rules of Evidence dictate what facts are admissible and therefore what can be considered by the judge or jury. However, once the defendant is convicted and the proceeding moves into the sentencing phase, almost anything that the defendant wants the judge or jury to consider is admissible.

Most often, defendants use this opportunity to accept responsibility for their actions and ask the court or the victims of the crime, if any, for forgiveness in hopes that the sentencer will have mercy on them. Facts such as the defendant’s family, career, community service, schooling, troubled childhood, mental health issues, and more are all able to be considered by the sentencer when making the sentencing decision.

A skilled criminal defense attorney will create a compelling case of mitigation to the sentencer and, in many cases, will be able to get a client a far better result than otherwise expected. If you have been charged with a serious criminal offense in Michigan, contact a dedicated criminal defense attorney today to discuss your case.

Are You Facing Criminal Charges in Michigan?

If your are facing DUI charges, or any other serious criminal charge in the state of Michigan, you should seek the counsel of an experienced criminal defense attorney. Attorney Steven Schwartz has years of experience defending clients against DUI charges, and all kinds of other serious offenses, including criminal sexual conduct as well as drug possession and distribution. To speak with attorney Schwartz about your case, and to see what we can do to fight the charges against you, call (248) 266-8720 to set up a free initial consultation.

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