Recently, attorney Tiffany DeBruin represented a 19-year-old female after she was charged with possession of cocaine, public indecency and possession of marijuana. These are significant drug crimes in Michigan, which could result in incarceration and haunting conviction, limiting her chances at furthering her education and career. Seeing an opportunity to improve her client’s situation, attorney DeBruin highlighted the weaknesses in the case and the unlikelihood of the prosecution gaining a conviction at trial. This led to a negotiated plea that reduced the charges to two minor misdemeanors. In accordance with the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act, if her young client successfully completes the term of probation, no conviction will appear on her record. This spared her client from some very serious consequences and removed the fear of having to list these convictions on every future employment and education application.
The outcome of an individual case depends on a variety of factors unique to that case. Case results do not guarantee or predict a similar result in any similar or future case.