Attorney Michael R. Hughes defends people charged in Lake County with all manner of criminal offenses. Whether you are facing local, state, or federal charges, he will aggressively protect your rights and work to clear your good name.
Hughes can represent you in the Lake County courthouse in Lakeview, and may defend clients everywhere from Paisley and Valley Falls to Christmas Valley and Fort Rock, and everywhere in between.
Lake County Cannabis Criminal Defense
As an experienced Criminal Defense Attorney and Cannabis Expert, Michael R. Hughes appreciates how difficult it is to stay in compliance with rapidly evolving marijuana laws. Conflicting local, state and federal laws mean the definition of many criminal acts is not as straightforward as they were in the past. He has seen firsthand how well-meaning Oregonians can get tripped up by conflicting or unclear regulations.
As an original member of The Cannabis and Psychedelics Law Section of the Oregon State Bar, Hughes works hard to stay on top of changes in the law so he can provide the best representation possible to his clients.
Hughes is an honest broker and is recognized for his unique knowledge of cannabis law and the cannabis plant itself. There have been times when he has gotten cannabis or other drug charges filed against his clients dropped after explaining that the law had changed, or was not being interpreted correctly. After all, if no crime has been committed, there’s no reason for the case to proceed.
Lake County DUII Defense
Driving under the influence of intoxicants (DUII) is currently illegal in all 50 states, which includes alcohol, drugs, or a combination of the two. Many other states may refer to it as driving while intoxicated (DWI), driving under the influence (DUI), driving while ability impaired (DWAI), or operating while intoxicated (OWI).
Attorney Michael R. Hughes can defend individuals charged in Lake County against DUII charges. His knowledge of the latest science on impairment, and ability to identify errors made by law enforcement officials when they are trying to determine if a driver is impaired, help him prevent Oregonians from being unjustly convicted of DUII.
It is important to put forward a strong defense in DUII cases because a conviction can result in not just fines or jail time, but the loss of driving privileges. In rural areas like Lake County, where driving is a necessity, protecting your license is critical.
Lake County Federal Crimes
Lake County residents often assume that someone like them would never be charged with a federal offense. There is an assumption that federal crimes are more serious and sinister, and only committed by hardened criminals.
A federal offense is one that:
- Violates federal law;
- Crosses state lines; or
- Is committed on government property.
It is the last bullet point that really trips up Lake County residents. There is a lot of federal land in Lake County. Just think about how big the Deschutes National Forest, Fremont National Forest, Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge, and Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge are. When you do the actual math, the Bureau of Land Management owns 49% of the county.
Offenses that cross state lines are also incredibly common since Lake County shares a border with California and Nevada. Not to mention the fact that modern means of communication allow you to connect with people outside the state by phone, through the mail, or by going online.
If you are accused of a federal crime, you should reach out to Attorney Michael R. Hughes as soon as possible. He has years of experience defending people in federal court and may be able to quickly resolve your case.
Serious Consequences
Factors that affect the penalties of a criminal conviction include the type of offense, the circumstances surrounding the alleged offense, and your criminal history. Some offenses will get you a slap on the wrist, while others will earn you a bed at the Warner Creek Correctional Facility and hefty fines.
Even if you are not worried about paying a large fine or spending time behind bars, you may face some unexpected collateral consequences. You may lose your voting or gun rights, have trouble getting a job, or be denied government benefits. You will also have to live with a tarnished reputation.
There is simply too much at stake for you to sit back and see what happens. At the first sign of trouble, you should reach out to Attorney Michael R. Hughes. He can tell you what the worst-case scenario is if you are convicted and advise you on what the most likely outcome is if you chose to fight the allegations against you. From there, you can decide what to do next. For most Lake County residents, the best option is to work with Hughes to fight the charges.
Putting Up A Strong Defense
Attorney Michael Hughes is an experienced criminal defense attorney who does everything in his power to protect his clients from prosecution. The first thing he does in any criminal case is sit down with you and ask you to tell him your story. He wants to know what happened, in as much detail as possible, so he can figure out how best to defend you.
The information you share will not be used to judge you or make you feel bad about yourself. Anything you reveal will be held in the strictest confidence unless it can be used to help you defeat the charges against you.
Attorney Hughes will go through the police reports and other discovery with a fine-tooth comb looking for red flags:
- Was there probable cause to investigate you?
- Is there actual evidence of the alleged offense? Or was the charge filed on a hunch?
- Was evidence obtained without a proper search warrant?
- Were you coerced into making a confession?
- Did the police fail to read you your rights?
If possible, he will also:
- Identify and interview potential defense witnesses
- Collect and preserve evidence
- Challenge any lab results or other evidence collected by law enforcement officials
All of these pieces come together to form a defense. The stronger the defense, the more likely it is the government will drop the case or offer a plea deal.
If your case is not dismissed, and you are not offered an acceptable plea bargain, Attorney Michael R. Hughes will aggressively defend your reputation at trial.
An Attorney Who Understands Your Side
If you have been charged with a crime, or suspect you may soon be charged, now is the best time to reach out to Attorney Michael R. Hughes. Hughes is an experienced criminal defense attorney who will aggressively defend you against prosecution. He will fight to clear your good name and work hard to minimize the impact any allegations against you will have on your life. Please reach out today to schedule an initial consultation.