Michigan Criminal Lawyers Blog
Isaac Decrais Harris was convicted in 2005 by a jury on firearms and armed robbery charges. He recently sought to appeal the conviction, which he is serving a 14 to 30 year prison term for. Harris denied that he was the individual who robbed a Clark gasoline station in Adrian. News reports indicate that a video recording from a security camera at the location reveal the face of the individual who robbed the gas station, although they do not state that it is Harris, who denies it is his face in the video.
On January 7, 2013, Lenawee County Prosecutor Burke Castleberry announced that the Michigan Supreme Court refused to hear Harris’s appeal. An order from the court stated that Harris had failed to establish a claim.
Michigan theft and property crime appeals attorneys understand that individuals who are convicted on charges of robbery, shoplifting and other theft-related crimes face serious penalties, and often ruined lives. Not only might an individual face prison or jail time and monetary fines, a criminal record can make employers reluctant to hire that individual; it is also likely to affect a current career or job. Additionally, any time a criminal background check is run on someone with a criminal conviction, it makes it difficult for that person to obtain a scholarship, purchase or rent a home, even get approved for a loan. Essentially, it affects the individual’s entire life.
The penalties an individual faces when convicted on theft or property crimes may vary depending on a number of factors, including the individual’s criminal history, whether a weapon was involved, the amount of property or money taken, and more. When a weapon is used in the commission of a crime or a threat even implies that the individual has a weapon (even if it is not true), penalties will be substantially more severe if that person is convicted.
If you have been convicted on a robbery charge, you may believe that you must simply serve out your sentence, and that nothing further can be done. However, this is not the case in some circumstances. It may that you are eligible to appeal your sentence, or file a motion for Ginther Hearing if you believe you were convicted due to inadequate or ineffective counsel.
To learn if you may have a second chance, consult with an experienced and capable Michigan criminal appeals lawyer who can examine your case to determine if there are additional options that may apply to your case.