Avoiding a Criminal Record: How Ann Arbor's 15th District Court Can Help College Students Facing Open Container Charges

Tailgate Offenses in Ann Arbor: Working with a Criminal Defense Attorney at the 15th District Court to Minimize Consequences

​Jared and his friends were enjoying a tailgate party in Ann Arbor during a football weekend when they were caught walking around with open containers of alcohol. Jared, a college student with a bright future ahead, was worried about the potential impact of a criminal record on his career prospects and overall reputation. They received tickets from the police which summoned them to court within 10 days of receiving the ticket.  They were very worried about what was going to happen; the process itself left a knot in their stomach.  

Jared decided to work with Jonathan, a criminal defense attorney who specialized in defending against gameday offenses like open container tickets. Together, they developed a plan to demonstrate Jared's remorse and willingness to learn from the incident. They worked to negotiate with the prosecutor to secure a favorable outcome and minimize the impact on Jared's future.  Jared went from scared of the unknown to focused on the known; show who you really are; learn and grow and make better choices on gameday going forward.  This ticket did not make him a bad person and in the end did not make him a criminal.

Thanks to Jonathan's expertise and guidance, Jared was able to avoid a criminal record and move forward with his life. He learned a valuable lesson about the importance of responsible drinking and being mindful of his actions in public spaces.  Jonathan has worked out 100's of similar outcomes with the City of Ann Arbor Prosecutor at the 15th District Court.  All cases are unique and different, but if a client is willing to work hard, best outcomes are possible.

Justice Center
301 E. Huron, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
PO Box 8650
(734) 794-6759
Honorable Karen Q. Valvo
Honorable Miriam A. Perry
Magistrate Garwood