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03 Mar, 2025 by Jorgi shoults
Very helpful and pleasant.
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03 Mar, 2025 by Emily dickerson
John reached out to me after submitting a form on a website. Is helping me get on the right path!
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03 Mar, 2025 by Jacob ram
John Carbajal Is a huge help. Even if he is unable to help with your particular situation he is more than willing to do everything he can to send you in the right direction! Thanks!!!
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03 Mar, 2025 by Jorgi shoults
Very helpful and pleasant.
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03 Mar, 2025 by Emily dickerson
John reached out to me after submitting a form on a website. Is helping me get on the right path!
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03 Mar, 2025 by Jacob ram
John Carbajal Is a huge help. Even if he is unable to help with your particular situation he is more than willing to do everything he can to send you in the right direction! Thanks!!!
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03 Mar, 2025 by Jorgi shoults
Very helpful and pleasant.
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03 Mar, 2025 by Emily dickerson
John reached out to me after submitting a form on a website. Is helping me get on the right path!
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03 Mar, 2025 by Jacob ram
John Carbajal Is a huge help. Even if he is unable to help with your particular situation he is more than willing to do everything he can to send you in the right direction! Thanks!!!
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19 Sep, 2024 by Salil sahu
04 Aug, 2024 by Fatima nahhal
He’s a great lawyer. He handled my case great will definitely recommend to other people.
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22 Jul, 2024 by Jb
Todd did a great job for me. Very responsive, kept me informed, on-time, easy to talk to and explained everything clearly. He got a misdemeanor reduced to a civil infraction which was a double parking, so really appreciated his help on the matter. Great Lawyer and highly recommend!
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19 Sep, 2024 by Salil sahu
04 Aug, 2024 by Fatima nahhal
He’s a great lawyer. He handled my case great will definitely recommend to other people.
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16 May, 2024 by Shawn hamilton
I hired Todd for a very serious charge pertaining to operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol. This was a Felony matter and the possibility of an extend jail sentence was real and highly probable. From the first visit with him in Oakland county Jail he was honest and upfront with me on what he felt he could bring to the table. I couldn’t be happier with his services from the day of retention all the way through to sentencing. He was always very responsive and fought hard against the prosecutor when they tried to make a case for a harsher punishment. Todd was also very fairly priced for the experience and knowledge of the Judges and Prosecutors in Oakland county. I truly believe he got me the best possible outcome in a situation that could have turned out very ugly. Great guy and a great lawyer – worth every penny!!
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16 May, 2024 by Jordan rasche
Best lawyer ever! One of the nicest men I have ever met. Helped me big time in one of the toughest situations in my life. Always called back quickly and answered any question I had even the silly ones. The lady's in the office were extremely nice and always responded right away. 10/10 would recommend to anyone who needs help. Thank you David Chiappelli you kept your word and gave me great comfort in the situation.
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01 May, 2024 by Jason salinaz
Thank you, Mr. Chiappelli for all of your help. When my father needed legal guidance, you and your team walked us through every single step in the process. Now, with the matter settled, we couldn't be happier.
Hopefully we will never need your services again, but if another such scenario were to come up for us, or for anyone we know, you will be the one we call.
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18 Apr, 2024 by Christine tucci
Prior to working with David, my son attempted to reinstate his license with 2 different Lawyers. David is a life saver and truly a master of his craft. Without David's specific and precise direction through license restoration process, I don't think we would have achieved the results if it was with any other representation. We are so thankful for having David in our corner and hope others can utilize this review in making the choice to work with such and amazing lawyer and staff. Thank you!
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16 Nov, 2024 by Rania nicholas
Absolutely and phenomenally easy to work with David. He made the impossible; very possible. Zero pts and nothing on record! He was kind, friendly and very professional. Very highly recommend him to all seeking someone with knowledge and expertise!!
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14 Nov, 2024 by Alex ujeniuc
The only thing I did was send him a picture of the ticket and from a speeding got me down to impeding, he took care of everything and made me stress free and kept my driving record clean
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24 Oct, 2024 by Alina zalischi
I was very satisfied with the service ,I would recommend David to anyone very kind and helpful . I will definitely do businesses with him again !
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19 Sep, 2024 by Salil sahu
04 Aug, 2024 by Fatima nahhal
He’s a great lawyer. He handled my case great will definitely recommend to other people.
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16 May, 2024 by Shawn hamilton
I hired Todd for a very serious charge pertaining to operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol. This was a Felony matter and the possibility of an extend jail sentence was real and highly probable. From the first visit with him in Oakland county Jail he was honest and upfront with me on what he felt he could bring to the table. I couldn’t be happier with his services from the day of retention all the way through to sentencing. He was always very responsive and fought hard against the prosecutor when they tried to make a case for a harsher punishment. Todd was also very fairly priced for the experience and knowledge of the Judges and Prosecutors in Oakland county. I truly believe he got me the best possible outcome in a situation that could have turned out very ugly. Great guy and a great lawyer – worth every penny!!
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03 Mar, 2025 by Jorgi shoults
Very helpful and pleasant.
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03 Mar, 2025 by Emily dickerson
John reached out to me after submitting a form on a website. Is helping me get on the right path!
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03 Mar, 2025 by Jacob ram
John Carbajal Is a huge help. Even if he is unable to help with your particular situation he is more than willing to do everything he can to send you in the right direction! Thanks!!!
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25 Feb, 2025 by M cj
Not that I am proud of it, but In my lifetime I have had to pay everything from $1500/hr federal appellate attorneys handling complex litigation on appeal to criminal defense attorneys bailing me out of my college-era antics. I can tell you one thing: this firm, esp Brian Garmo (who is my main contact here), is next level in terms of their efficiency, fairness, empathy, and proficiency in legal technicalities. If they don’t know the best approach to your issue, they’ll find it. They don’t tell you what you want to hear. They don’t just bill you to bill you. This is simply one of the best firms to work with and if you’re reading this—and considering retaining them—I can’t recommend them enough. Best lawyers I have ever dealt with.
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20 Feb, 2025 by Bif
Brian Garmo just helped me through a case. Great guy great input.
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10 Feb, 2025 by Jordan barr
I hired Matt Van Steenkiste from Garmo & Kiste for my case. Matt is a sharp, professional attorney. He managed to get my charges dismissed after speaking with the prosecutor. If I ever need legal help in the Detroit area again, I'll be contacting Garmo & Kiste.
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15 Jan, 2025 by Jason jones
Best criminal defense attorney I’ve ever met. He is a bad ass
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15 Jan, 2025 by Candace kelly
Very reliable!
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10 Jan, 2025 by Elton mancia
24 Sep, 2024 by C. kitt
After unknowingly signing on to work with the single most INCOMPETENT AND ANTAGONISTIC realtor in all of Detroit, we had to hire Madana to come in and take over our house purchase deal. She was not only thorough and communicative, but she handled every aspect of the negotiation to protect us from a shady deal. You won't be disappointed working with her.
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08 Sep, 2024 by Jordan gallo
Very helpful and dealt w my legal issues in a professional way. Made it a super easy process
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08 Jul, 2024 by Tom williamson
08 Jul, 2024 by Fannie craft
Poor communication. He rarely returned calls. Was retained for a post conviction case (appeal) and this attorney presented the same evidence as the trial attorney… no new evidence nor error was presented in the appellate brief….he was not prepared nor did he research the case. Very disappointed.. would not recommend.
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03 Jun, 2024 by Gerald mcnair
28 Mar, 2024 by Lorenna guzman
21 Jun, 2024 by Sara dever
This law firm is by far the best healthcare law firm in the state of Michigan and other states! Their attorneys are top notch experts in healthcare law and fully understand how to advocate for their clients!!! If you have a healthcare license, you need to call Chapman Law Group and have a relationship with them! Go Ronald Chapman II and Aaron Kemp! You guys rock!!!
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07 Jun, 2024 by Eric c
The Chapman Law group has a team of excellent attorneys and is one of the best law firms. I had the pleasure of working with Mr. John Cardello. Not only is he very knowledgeable about the law but also he maintains a good line of communication that puts clients at ease. He works hard to get the result you want. I would highly recommend him to anyone.
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30 May, 2024 by Amor health care services
Honest.
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10 Jan, 2025 by Charlie salah
Farris Haddad He is an outstanding attorney whose dedication and availability set him apart. No matter the time of day, Farris always takes the time to answer my questions, providing reassurance and clarity with every case he handles. His remarkable expertise has earned him recognition from numerous organizations and a reputation for working with some of the most prominent clients in the industry.
Beyond his impressive professional achievements, Farris is also a wonderful person—devoted to his family, with three sons and a loving wife. His strong values and integrity are evident in every interaction, and the exceptional team he leads reflects the same level of knowledge and professionalism, ensuring that all your legal needs are managed with care and precision.
If you are seeking legal representation, look no further. Farris Haddad and his firm are second to none!
Sincerely,
Charlie Salah
This version keeps your original tone while enhancing flow, structure, and impact.
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24 Feb, 2024 by Tarik hasanovic
The best law firm for any case you have, my life was in shambles until I connected with Farris Haddad/ his amazing team. From day one I was treated like family and not just a check book. I had a few cases going on 3 being criminal and 1 being an auto injury case, I shopped around for attorneys and when it came to the criminal matters (Super Drunk DUI, Loitering with intent, and operating vehicle with illegal equipment) after speaking to the attorneys I was sure that I would be going to jail for a minimum of 3-6months with a year or two probation and at the same time have my license revoked/suspended and ignation Interlock. I had a major brain injury last year and honestly was about to give up and felt like i lost the last bit of myself that is left, I couldn’t handle the answers I was getting from other attorneys I felt like my life was over and really didn’t want to continue with it. Luckily I have Farris and his team like I stated before they treated me like family from day one and assured me they would keep me out of jail, I felt like I was reborn after speaking to Farris almost all the stress I had vanished in an instance. Farris and his team set up a strategized game plan to knock the cases out in the most aggressive but economical way possible, Farris laid out a few routes we could could take and directly got to executing said plan. Literally an All-Star team they got me the best possible outcome, I couldn’t believe it 2 of the 3 cases were completely dismissed, and the Super drunk DUI (High BAC way over .17 around a .223 which is a felony dui entails 6 months of jail, 2 years probation, 6+ points on record, crazy high tickets and a license revocation for a minimum of a year after which a blow device would need to be installed if I wanted to drive in the future is what i was expecting), I basically dug myself into a crazy deep whole talking to the officer at the time but Farris did his magic and somehow got it dropped to a misdemeanor OWVI and would have had it totally dropped if it weren’t for my own mistake but he still managed to get it dropped as low as possible. No jail, no license revocation or suspension, I basically received a slap on the wrist thanks to Farris. I can’t begin to express my appreciation for Farris and his law firm, I’m so thankful they came into my life they made it a breeze for me so I could actually fully focus on healing from being injured in major accident. I was working with another attorney for the auto injury case if you can even call it working, he wasn’t getting much done literally did 5 hours of work in my case in 12 months, I was left to fend for myself and damn near lost everything in the process whilst my previous attorney wasn’t even answering my calls or emails. So I asked Farris if he and his law firm could take over and they agreed to take the case over and got straight to work. Like I said this is an All-Star team and Farris hooked me up with his best and in my opinion the best Injury attorney you could possibly ask for Attorney Michael Oblizajek, Mike got straight on the case and for the first time since my injury I felt like something was getting done. Previous attorney didn’t even try to push for any of the benefits I was entitled to. I was missing doctors appointments due to transportation and was forced to sleep in my car because I had no money for rent because the previous attorney pushed for nothing bit himself, I almost lost myself/my will to live, the previous attorney and the auto insurance caused me so much stress and anguish that I wanted to give up. Thank god I found Farris and his team once they got to it everything changed. I was set up with a case manager, transportation, wage loss benefits, back pay for prior transportation, prescription/insurance card all within a month something my previous lawyer couldn’t do in a year. If you want a Law firm that actually cares and will fight for you go with The Law Office of Farris F. Haddad & Associates. I guarantee you can’t go wrong and will be treated like family not $ like others do.
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04 Nov, 2023 by Los plagus
21 Jun, 2024 by Sara dever
This law firm is by far the best healthcare law firm in the state of Michigan and other states! Their attorneys are top notch experts in healthcare law and fully understand how to advocate for their clients!!! If you have a healthcare license, you need to call Chapman Law Group and have a relationship with them! Go Ronald Chapman II and Aaron Kemp! You guys rock!!!
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07 Jun, 2024 by Eric c
The Chapman Law group has a team of excellent attorneys and is one of the best law firms. I had the pleasure of working with Mr. John Cardello. Not only is he very knowledgeable about the law but also he maintains a good line of communication that puts clients at ease. He works hard to get the result you want. I would highly recommend him to anyone.
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30 May, 2024 by Amor health care services
Honest.
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16 Nov, 2024 by Rania nicholas
Absolutely and phenomenally easy to work with David. He made the impossible; very possible. Zero pts and nothing on record! He was kind, friendly and very professional. Very highly recommend him to all seeking someone with knowledge and expertise!!
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14 Nov, 2024 by Alex ujeniuc
The only thing I did was send him a picture of the ticket and from a speeding got me down to impeding, he took care of everything and made me stress free and kept my driving record clean
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24 Oct, 2024 by Alina zalischi
I was very satisfied with the service ,I would recommend David to anyone very kind and helpful . I will definitely do businesses with him again !
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27 Jun, 2022 by Alan
Mr. Hilf provided exceptional service. His knowledge of pending changes to minimum mandatory sentences helped my case tremendously. I had never been in the court system before. He was always kind and patient, while taking the time to make sure I completely understood what was going on. He was always available and a very good listener and advisor. He provided great comfort to me and my family. I recommend him highly.
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12 Apr, 2022 by Raja
From the moment I retained him he started working. Answered ever phone call, and always kept it real with me. He definitely went above and beyond for his client ( me) and most of all he kept me out of JAIL!! This man is the real deal! If you are looking at jail time like I was and let me tell you I have a very bad previous record.. he did it! Thank you so much Dan you are truly a master at your craft!
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29 Jun, 2021 by Robert
I hired an attorney who did everything he could to keep my case from trial. He was negative and didn’t seem to want to help me with my case. That gentleman quit my case and refunded the entirety of my retainer.
Daniel was the complete opposite of my previous attorney, with intelligent thoughts and a positive outlook about my case. In the end, Daniel negotiated a very agreeable settlement that satisfied all parties. The judge congratulated him on his efforts in her closing remarks.
I highly recommend Daniel Hilf and his extraordinary staff at Hilf and Hilf. After being left high and dry by a worthless high-priced empty shot, Daniel came in and expertly negotiated a great settlement. Bravo!!
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24 Dec, 2024 by Nicholas salem
24 Dec, 2024 by Daniel omambo
18 Dec, 2024 by Paul bathanti
Called and tried getting an appointment to sit down with someone, discuss my.issues and was told they don't do that unless I pay $450 just to speak with someone for about 20 minutes. Absolutely ridiculous
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01 Aug, 2024 by Francis
She helped me when everything felt like nothing was working thank u so much Reema accidents misdemeanors felonies whatever it is I know I found my lawyer
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07 Oct, 2016 by Anonymous
Reema was awesome!!!! She came to my house after my accident and always kept me informed! Great communication! I can't say enough about her. She fought for me like no one else. To say she was competent is an understatement.
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12 Mar, 2010 by Pete
I highly recommend Reema to any one,I met so many attornies before and they all were irrigants,Reema treated me with respect,honesty,and the best part that she listened and gav good and honest advise,my problem got solved and I ended up paying less than what others wanted to charge.
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30 Jan, 2014 by Jss
Professional and caring. Took the time to make sure I was happy with what he was going to do for me. A solid follow up to make sure anything extra after the case was needed. Hope to never need an attorney again, but if I do Mr. Lubyansky will be my guy.
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28 Jan, 2014 by Will
We had been trying to collect from a customer for almost two years with out any results. After contacting Mr. Lubyansky and telling him our situation he asked if we were prepared to go to court if we needed to. We said if that is what it will take, then yes. Mr. Lubyansky contacted our customer on our behalf and was able to negotiate a deal that would get us paid over an 8 month time, with the customer accepting penalties if he defaulted from the contract.
We will continue to use his legal services when needed, and I would recommend him 100%.
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28 Jan, 2014 by Ruth
Mr Lubyansky assisted me with registering LLC and filing all paperwork with the State, he is very reliable, efficient, knowledgeable and honest attorney, explained all tax details related to corporation, advised on financial matters, members obligations.He is very direct, true to his word, charges very reasonable fee. Would definitely use his services in the future if need arises
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23 Jul, 2015 by Saurabh
Brian Garmo…..
What to say about Brian! He is not even a great lawyer but, he is an awesome magician who just does some type of magic there in court and everything will come to him in his favor.
What he has done for me, it’s unbelievable. He handles his all the cases in a very professional manner and he is very soft talking.
Because of his overall effort, all my charges were dismissed simply and for this, I think, a single word “THANK” will not be enough.
But as we don’t have much words to say Thanks. I would like to say
“Thanks a lot Brian to make me proud that you were my lawyer and to make my life on track….”
Please keep it up with your awesome services! You have a very great future!!
For others, I would highly recommend Brian. You can have a blindly trust on Brian to make a good decision, what I did!
Saurabh
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15 Apr, 2013 by Tom
I contacted Brian back in December 2012 regarding a debt situation in which I had no available means to pay back in full. I was quite nervous, upset, and depressed over this entire situation. But once I sat down with Brian, he assured me that he would do everything he could to help. He really put my mind at ease by explaining the many options that were available in dealing with this problem, and always kept me abreast of what was happening. Brian was able negotiate a settlement of my $30k+ debt for $3k. Simply outstanding!!!! I cannot thank Brian enough for the great work he performed in handling my case. I would absolutely recommend him to anyone seeking the services of a great lawyer.
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24 Jan, 2009 by Anita
Brian took the time to listen and handled my matter with great care and got me great results.
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05 Nov, 2013 by George
Represented me for two criminal misdemeanor charges involving weapons. Was able to get a charge reduced and the other dismissed. At sentencing, he was able to cut my probation time in half and get some of the other conditions of probation reduced. Was friendly yet stern and very helpful. I would (and do) recommend him to friends with legal issues.
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20 Apr, 2013 by Anonymous
Helped me with a misdemeanor offense. Was very helpful and friendly and made me feel comfortable through the process. Would recommend him to a friend.
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05 Mar, 2013 by Anonymous
Mr. Shkreli was a great lawyer. We met at his office, he kept my informed, and he even did some investigative work on my case. On the date of my trial, he was able to get the charge dismissed without me having to say a word. He is a great new attorney!
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12 Oct, 2014 by Djuana
The day i meant Nick he put me with such a positive attitude i walk out of his office with my head up high i was like omg he kept me informed of everthing so professional you can talk to him an u know he's not judging you i speak so highly of him an if i ever need an attorney again he will be the first on my list i even recommend him to my niece thanks Nick for all you have done for me
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31 Jul, 2015 by Jason
Dan Cieslak will always come highly recommended by me. I was faced with a legal problem, and desperately searching for guidance and advice as I had been treated unfairly in a legal matter. Dan listened to what I had to say during each of our encounters and went above and beyond to assist me. I had very little knowledge in how the legal system worked, and Dan took the time to explain everything to me. He was available each and every time I had a question or concern. Dan tells it like it is and does his absolute best to give you all your potential options and then work with you (while still giving you the option of the route you want to take) on what he feels is in your best interest. There are no surprises, he kept me informed on the progress of my case at all times. He was not simply an "attorney" to me. He fought hard for what he believes is fair and right. He was available even for reassurance and guidance anytime I needed it. I'm not sure where I would be or what I would have done had I not decided to put my faith and trust into Dan. I have the utmost respect for him both as a person and as my attorney. Any legal matter I may ever encounter in the future my very first phone call would be to Dan. Anyone looking for an Attorney I would give my highest recommendation to consider Dan Cieslak. His honesty and integrity are just 2 of his greatest qualities.
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03 Mar, 2025 by Jorgi shoults
Very helpful and pleasant.
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03 Mar, 2025 by Emily dickerson
John reached out to me after submitting a form on a website. Is helping me get on the right path!
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03 Mar, 2025 by Jacob ram
John Carbajal Is a huge help. Even if he is unable to help with your particular situation he is more than willing to do everything he can to send you in the right direction! Thanks!!!
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03 Mar, 2025 by Jorgi shoults
Very helpful and pleasant.
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03 Mar, 2025 by Emily dickerson
John reached out to me after submitting a form on a website. Is helping me get on the right path!
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03 Mar, 2025 by Jacob ram
John Carbajal Is a huge help. Even if he is unable to help with your particular situation he is more than willing to do everything he can to send you in the right direction! Thanks!!!
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19 Oct, 2020 by R s
I simply cannot speak highly enough of Mr. Tomaszycki. He helped me and my husband (who was also an attorney) at the end of my husband's life with some complex issues. He is not just a consummate professional, he is a compassionate and honorable man.
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19 Jun, 2018 by Rose oliveira
“I had a very complicated divorce case. As an immigrant married to an abusive American, was hard to find someone that will take my case. What I can say is that I was represented better than I could have ever imagined for Mr. Christopher Tomaszicky. His office was highly professional and responsive. My needs were put first and were treated as a friend rather than just a client. My opinions were valued and my doubts were always reassured. My emails always answered in no time and I can't remember any occasion that I called him and he could not talk to me. My nerves were calmed and the process was always explained. He did walk me through depositions, questionnaires and everything else.
Sometimes little people that don't have money don't receive so much attention from their attorneys, but in my case (and I am sure this happens with each of his customers) Mr. Christopher Tomaszicky and his team fought hard for me.
He always took a pragmatic approach to law and don't over complicate things unnecessarily. With that said, if a matter is complex they are very capable of handling it with success. He went above and beyond with very good strategies and did everything he could to ensure a great outcome. I couldn't have asked for a better law firm or attorney.
If you ever need someone that has decades of experience and can handle your case with maximum competence I will say call Mr. Christopher Tomaszicky office and schedule a consultation.
Thank you so much, guys. You are the best!!!”
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20 Feb, 2017 by Jonatan davi
03 Mar, 2025 by Jorgi shoults
Very helpful and pleasant.
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03 Mar, 2025 by Emily dickerson
John reached out to me after submitting a form on a website. Is helping me get on the right path!
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03 Mar, 2025 by Jacob ram
John Carbajal Is a huge help. Even if he is unable to help with your particular situation he is more than willing to do everything he can to send you in the right direction! Thanks!!!
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04 Dec, 2024 by Keith
I sent emails twice to Crofton Legal and no one ever bothered to contact me. Certainly not what I want in a legal service.
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24 Sep, 2024 by C. kitt
After unknowingly signing on to work with the single most INCOMPETENT AND ANTAGONISTIC realtor in all of Detroit, we had to hire Madana to come in and take over our house purchase deal. She was not only thorough and communicative, but she handled every aspect of the negotiation to protect us from a shady deal. You won't be disappointed working with her.
Read more
08 Sep, 2024 by Jordan gallo
Very helpful and dealt w my legal issues in a professional way. Made it a super easy process
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FAQs
Questions? We have answers
What a Criminal Defense Lawyer Can Do for You
A criminal defense lawyer provides legal representation to individuals or organizations accused of criminal conduct. If you're facing criminal charges, a defense lawyer will work to protect your rights, build a defense strategy, and ensure you receive a fair trial. Their primary goal is to reduce or dismiss charges, secure an acquittal, or negotiate a favorable plea deal.
Criminal defense lawyers have extensive knowledge of criminal law and court procedures. They investigate your case, identify weaknesses in the prosecution's evidence, and represent you in court, ensuring that you have the best possible defense.
When Should I Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer?
It’s crucial to hire a criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible if you are facing any criminal charges. Some situations in which you should seek legal representation include:
- Arrest or police questioning: If you've been arrested or are under investigation, hiring a lawyer early on can prevent self-incrimination and protect your rights during police questioning.
- Felony charges: Crimes such as murder, assault, drug trafficking, or robbery carry severe penalties, including long prison sentences. A defense lawyer is essential in these cases.
- Misdemeanor charges: Even for less serious offenses like DUI, theft, or simple assault, a lawyer can help reduce penalties, negotiate alternatives to jail, or get charges dismissed.
- Plea negotiations: If you’re considering a plea bargain, a lawyer can evaluate the deal, advise you on its consequences, and negotiate for more favorable terms.
- Probation or parole violations: If you’ve been accused of violating probation or parole, a lawyer can defend you against additional penalties or revocation.
- Juvenile offenses: For minors charged with criminal acts, a criminal defense lawyer can protect their future by minimizing legal repercussions or keeping the case in juvenile court.
What Does a Criminal Defense Lawyer Do?
Criminal defense lawyers provide comprehensive legal services to protect their clients’ rights throughout the criminal justice process. Their duties include:
- Case evaluation and investigation: Reviewing the evidence, interviewing witnesses, and investigating the facts to develop a strong defense strategy.
- Legal advice: Advising you on your rights, the charges you’re facing, and potential defense strategies, including whether to take a plea deal or go to trial.
- Negotiating plea bargains: Working with prosecutors to negotiate a plea deal that could reduce charges or minimize penalties.
- Court representation: Representing you in all court hearings, including bail hearings, pretrial motions, trials, and sentencing hearings.
- Filing motions: Filing motions to dismiss charges, suppress evidence, or reduce bail, depending on the specifics of your case.
- Trial preparation and defense: Preparing a defense strategy and presenting arguments, evidence, and witnesses during trial to contest the prosecution's case.
- Appeals: If you are convicted, a defense lawyer can appeal the conviction or sentence, arguing errors in the trial process or legal rulings.
How Are Criminal Defense Lawyers Paid?
Criminal defense lawyers generally charge clients in one of three ways, depending on the complexity of the case and the lawyer’s experience. Payment structures include:
- Flat fee: For straightforward cases (e.g., minor misdemeanors), some lawyers charge a one-time flat fee that covers all aspects of the defense.
- Hourly rate: For more complex or ongoing cases, lawyers may charge by the hour, with rates varying based on the lawyer’s experience and geographic location.
- Retainer fee: In cases where extensive work is expected, the client may pay a retainer fee upfront. The lawyer then bills against that retainer for their work on the case.
The cost of criminal defense services can vary greatly, so it’s important to discuss fees during your initial consultation.
How Much Does a Criminal Defense Lawyer Cost?
The cost of hiring a criminal defense lawyer depends on several factors, including the severity of the charges, the complexity of the case, and the lawyer’s experience. General cost guidelines are:
- Misdemeanor cases: For relatively minor offenses, such as a DUI or petty theft, a flat fee may range from $1,500 to $5,000.
- Felony cases: More serious charges, such as assault or drug trafficking, can range from $10,000 to $100,000 or more, depending on the complexity and duration of the case.
- Hourly rates: For cases billed by the hour, lawyers may charge anywhere from $150 to $500 or more per hour, depending on their expertise and the case's location.
- Additional expenses: You may also be responsible for other costs, such as filing fees, expert witness fees, or the cost of private investigators.
Be sure to clarify the lawyer’s fee structure and any potential additional costs during your consultation.
Top Questions to Ask a Criminal Defense Lawyer
Before hiring a criminal defense lawyer, you’ll want to ensure that they’re a good fit for your case. Here are key questions to ask:
-
What is your experience with cases like mine?
Make sure the lawyer has a strong track record with the specific type of criminal charges you’re facing, whether it’s DUI, drug offenses, or violent crimes. -
What is your fee structure?
Ask how the lawyer charges for their services and whether you’ll be responsible for any additional costs. -
What are the potential outcomes of my case?
A good lawyer should provide an honest assessment of your case and the likelihood of dismissal, a plea bargain, or conviction. -
How many cases have you taken to trial?
While many criminal cases settle with a plea deal, it’s important to hire a lawyer with courtroom experience in case your case goes to trial. -
Who will handle my case?
Ask if the lawyer will be personally involved or if other attorneys in the firm will handle most of the work. -
How do you communicate with your clients?
Be clear on how often and through what channels you can expect updates on your case.
How to Check the Credibility of a Criminal Defense Lawyer
To verify the credibility of a criminal defense lawyer, take the following steps:
- Check their standing with the state bar: Confirm that the lawyer is licensed and in good standing with your state’s bar association. Look for any past disciplinary actions or complaints.
- Read online reviews and testimonials: Platforms like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, or Google can provide insights from previous clients about the lawyer’s communication, professionalism, and case outcomes.
- Ask for references: A reputable lawyer should have past clients or other professionals who can speak to their competence and work ethic.
- Review their case history: Look at the lawyer’s website or professional profile to see their experience with criminal cases, including high-profile or complex cases.
- Look for trial experience: If your case might go to trial, make sure the lawyer has a strong history of courtroom advocacy and success.
What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?
To make the most of your first consultation with a criminal defense lawyer, bring the following:
- Details of your case: Be prepared to provide a detailed account of the charges against you, including any documents related to your arrest, police reports, and court dates.
- Criminal history: If you have any prior criminal convictions, inform your lawyer so they can understand how that may affect your current case.
- List of witnesses or evidence: If there are any potential witnesses or evidence that may support your defense, share this information during the consultation.
- Questions for the lawyer: Prepare questions about their experience, legal strategy, and fees to ensure you understand how they will handle your case.
- Bail or release documents: If you’ve been released on bail, bring any paperwork related to your release conditions or restrictions.
By being well-prepared, you can help your lawyer quickly assess your situation and begin building an effective defense strategy.
