Michigan Criminal and DUI Defense Lawyer

Baird and Zulakis PC, Attorneys at Law

4127 Okemos Road Okemos, Michigan 48864 USA

 (517) 349-5011 or (888) 604-2271
 (517) 349-5013

www.bzpclaw.com
 Contact the Firm

Law Firm Overview

Baird and Zulakis, P.C., was established in Lansing in 1980 and relocated to offices in Okemos in 1986. Our firm has long been a trusted resource for parents, students, and others across the cultural spectrum of Mid-Michigan, with attorney George Zulakis becoming the criminal defense lawyer of choice for many elected officials, law enforcement personnel, physicians, business leaders and other attorneys when they, or their family members, are in trouble.

Unlike defense lawyers who may focus strictly on the circumstances of your offense and arrest, attorney George Zulakis is prompt and decisive in providing guidance and taking steps to improve your defense position and your overall future. Our legal team takes pride in assisting clients who need substance abuse treatment, psychological counseling or other forms of intervention.

This proactive approach, combined with a track record of aggressive advocacy that gets results, has earned Mr. Zulakis the respect of prosecutors, court officials, and clients across the state. He is a former president of the Ingham County Bar Association who has received appointments to prestigious state-level positions with a role in guiding policy.

Practice Areas

Practice Areas Description

- Drug Charges

For over 30 years, George Zulakis has stood up for the rights of people facing drug charges throughout the Lansing, Michigan area. We will stand up for your rights. We are available to defend against all drug charges, including those related to: drug use and possession; drug sale and delivery; drug trafficking; and drug manufacturing. Our goal is to eliminate or minimize the consequences of the charges against you. This includes preventing them from appearing on your permanent record. To meet this goal, we thoroughly investigate the drug charges against you. We will test the strength and validity of the steps taken by law enforcement, including the arrest, any searches, seizures, or warrants.

- DUI Defense

At Baird and Zulakis, P.C., we are committed to defending your rights. When you choose us to represent you, we will conduct a thorough investigation. We will verify that all laws were adhered to by the police who pulled you over and conducted the field sobriety tests. We will test the merit of the breath test that was used to determine intoxication. We will take every step necessary to ensure that your rights are protected when you are charged with a drunk driving offense, including charges involving: OWI, OWVI, OWPCS and OWI High BAC.

- Traffic Violations

Our experience extends to cases of: Drunk driving, usually charged as operating while intoxicated (OWI), but sometimes called DUI, DWI or OUI — as well as involuntary manslaughter, felonious driving, and similar charges arising from a fatal or injury-causing accident; Driving on a suspended or revoked driver's license; Reckless driving, hit-and-run or leaving the scene, failure to report an accident, and driving without insurance or proof of insurance; Single or multiple offenses such as speeding, improper turns, and other moving violations that yield traffic tickets — but also pose a threat to your standard or commercial driver's license (CDL), employment status and insurance rates; and Alcohol and drug-related charges that can impact your driving privileges or your status as a student at Michigan State or any other area school.

- Underage Drinking

Are you aware that, in Michigan, a conviction for the misdemeanor offense of minor in possession of alcohol will appear on a person's permanent record? A mark on a person's criminal record can impact their future. It can be seen by potential employers. It can impact one's ability to get visas to travel to other countries. It can impact one's ability to get loans for cars or houses and may affect the cost and availability of car insurance. If you are a young adult who has been charged, or you are the parent of a teenager who has been charged with minor in possession of alcohol, you need an experienced criminal defense lawyer.

- School Suspensions and Expulsions

We will apply experience in cases involving: criminal sexual conduct, weapons possession or other crimes on campus; drug charges, whether prosecuted criminally, leading to school suspension/expulsion proceedings, or both; property crimes and allegations of making threats against a school or individuals, including crimes related to use of the Internet or texting via cell phone; suspension or expulsion proceedings arising from fighting, insubordination, dress code violations or other alleged misbehavior in a high school or middle school; and alleged violations of "zero tolerance" policies that may be unique to your school or district.

- Retail Fraud and Theft

It can be a big mistake to assume a shoplifting, retail fraud, or other theft charge will result only in a fine, probation, or similar "minor" penalties. You could be facing a felony charge, and depending on your history and other circumstances, jail time is certainly possible. The impact on your future educational and job prospects can be even more damaging. Attorney George Zulakis has built a renowned Michigan legal career on creativity, resourcefulness and integrity. For a consultation to begin exploring legal options that could make a real difference for your future.

- White Collar Crimes / Embezzlement

In our experience, people charged with embezzlement and other financial crimes are often fundamentally good, hardworking people caught up in difficult circumstances or affected by addiction or a psychological disorder. Tough economic conditions and personal adversity can lead to desperate acts such as embezzlement or fraud. Our Okemos-based legal team is also prepared to handle your defense if you are accused of credit card fraud, passing bad checks, theft of computer equipment, or other "white collar" financial crimes. In all such situations, we investigate thoroughly and look at all possible angles for achieving a beneficial outcome.

- Domestic Violence / Assault

Make no mistake: the negative impact of a domestic assault conviction can be far-reaching, affecting your employment status and your future prospects. Protective or "restraining" orders may prevent access to your home and family. Depending on the circumstances and your history, you may be facing jail or prison time. If you have been arrested for domestic assault in the Lansing area or elsewhere in Mid-Michigan, it may seem you have already been judged and punished without the chance to present your side. In almost all cases, when police are called about a domestic dispute involving an allegation of violence or threats, someone goes to jail — and the consequences of a conviction can be extremely serious and financially crippling.

- Child Abuse and Neglect

If you have been accused of child abuse or neglect in Michigan, you are facing serious risks on multiple fronts. Your concerns may start with protecting your own freedom, since a conviction often means a jail or prison sentence. In a separate action, Child Protective Services (CPS) may seek to remove your children from your home, restrict contact, or even terminate your parental rights. In addition to removal of children from your home, a criminal conviction or finding by CPS could put your name on the statewide Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry — which could in turn jeopardize a professional license you hold, prevent you from obtaining one in the future, and restrict you from a range of employment and other life activities.

- Murder / Homicide

At Baird and Zulakis, P.C., in Okemos, Michigan, we provide the intensive, thorough investigation and preparation essential for people accused of the most serious criminal offenses. Attorney George Zulakis, one of Mid-Michigan's most respected criminal defense lawyers, has handled numerous high-profile murder, attempted homicide, armed robbery, arson and other serious property crime cases — building a 30-plus-year track record with many acquittals, dismissals and successful negotiations for reduced consequences.

- Vehicular Manslaughter

Drunk driving can result in lasting consequences. These consequences become exponentially severe when a drunk driving accident causes the death or serious injury (impairment of bodily function) of another. Our firm vigorously defends clients facing charges involving vehicular homicide or vehicular manslaughter emanating from a drunk driving arrest. Michigan sentencing guidelines set forth penalties to be used as a guide in drunk driving-related vehicular homicide cases. However, the penalties can vary depending on the charges being sought by the prosecution.

- Sex Crimes

All levels of criminal sexual conduct can carry severe penalties. In addition to prison or jail time, a conviction can lead to public listing on the Sex Offender Registry for up to 25 years or life. Attorney George Zulakis is sensitive to all our clients' concerns and goals, leading us in tenaciously seeking outcomes that protect your future as well as your freedom. Whether you have been falsely accused of a sex crime, or you know you made a mistake, you need a strong lawyer with a proven track record dealing with these complex allegations and charges.

- Internet Sex Crimes

In recent years, there has been a zealous "crackdown" targeting arrests for Internet sex crimes in Michigan and nationwide. Prosecutors and elected officials know that issues of child safety and cases involving child pornography or exploitation often get significant media attention — and they gauge their own actions and efforts accordingly. Conviction for any Internet sex crime may have far worse consequences than most people realize. Possession of a single picture judged to violate child pornography laws, for example, can lead to three distinct felony charges — and convictions can carry penalties including 20 years or more in prison. A charge such as solicitation of a minor for sex or any form of Internet stalking can be just as serious.

- Breath Test Refusal

f you operate your vehicle on Michigan roads, you have implied that you will consent to taking a Breathalyzer test if you are arrested for drunk driving. Refusal of the breath test is considered an implied consent violation and can result in serious ramifications. First-offense breath test refusal/implied consent violations can result in: six points added to your driving record — even if you are not convicted for drunk driving; automatic one-year driver's license suspension (longer than consequences for first-offense drunk driving); and ineligibility for a restricted license, unless a separate appeal is filed with the circuit court.

- Breath Test Defense

The United States Constitution grants you rights. Unfortunately, it frequently takes the advocacy of a skilled criminal defense lawyer to ensure those rights are not violated. At the Okemos law office of Baird and Zulakis, P.C., we provide thorough defense representation focused on protecting your rights, whether you are facing charges involving first-offense, repeat-offense or even high BAC drunk driving charges. Recognizing the significance of the breath test results, our DUI/OWI defense strategy begins with examining the validity of the test results and the admissibility of the results at trial. Our legal team diligently examines every detail of the traffic stop, admission of breath and field sobriety tests and arrest to identify mistakes made by police or other factors that can strengthen your defense.

Attorneys

Mr. George Zulakis Attorney Criminal Law

More Information on Baird and Zulakis PC, Attorneys at Law

Okemos, Michigan Drug Charges Defense Attorney
Okemos, MI Drunk Driving / DUI Lawyer
Minor in Possession Law Firm in Okemos, Michigan
White Collar Crimes Attorney in Okemos, MI
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Okemos, MI Domestic Violence Law Firm
Child Abuse and Neglect Attorney in Okemos, Michigan
Sex Crimes Defense Lawyer in Okemos, MI
Contact Baird and Zulakis PC, Attorneys at Law