Criminal Defense Attorney in Southeast Michigan
An arrest moves fast. Within hours you may be fingerprinted, questioned, and handed paperwork full of terms you have never seen before. What happens next can affect your freedom, your record, and your future. Gary R. Lazar has defended people charged with crimes since he opened his Warren office in January 1994, and he guides clients through the legal process step by step, defending them in court when the case calls for it.
Why the First Decisions in a Criminal Case Matter
Trying to handle the system on your own is confusing and frustrating, and early mistakes can be hard to undo. A statement made without counsel, a missed deadline, or a quick guilty plea can shape everything that follows. Hiring a defense attorney as soon as possible gives your case its best footing.
The stakes go beyond the courtroom. A criminal conviction can stay on your record for the rest of your life and affect your ability to get a job, a loan, or even an apartment. Some convictions also bring the loss of certain rights, such as the right to own a gun.
Charges the Office Defends
Gary takes on a wide range of criminal cases. Several have their own pages with more detail.
Drug Crimes
Michigan imposes harsh penalties for drug offenses. Depending on the details, a person charged with possession or trafficking could face thousands of dollars in fines and years in prison. Gary fights for a fair trial and challenges evidence that was obtained illegally. Learn more about drug charge defense.
Violent Crimes
Charges in this category range from assault and battery to arson, kidnapping, manslaughter, vehicular homicide, and first and second degree murder. Even first-time offenders can face serious consequences. See the page on defending violent crime charges.
White-Collar Crimes
Accusations such as embezzlement can damage your business, your professional reputation, and your family life all at once. These cases are approached with discretion, and the strategy may involve challenging insufficient evidence early or negotiating with prosecutors. Read about white-collar defense.
Sex Crimes
A sex crime accusation carries consequences that can reach every part of your life. Gary represents people facing these charges and handles each case with the seriousness and confidentiality it requires.
Juvenile Crimes
When a young person is charged, families need clear answers about what comes next. The office takes juvenile cases and helps parents and their children understand the process.
OWI, DUI, and Traffic Offenses
Drunk driving charges are among the most common cases Gary handles, and he reviews every detail of the arrest, including arrests that followed an accident. Visit the page on OWI and DUI charges for more. Traffic violations, from failing to signal to reckless endangerment, are treated as offenses under the law as well.
How Gary Approaches a Defense
Every defense starts with the facts of your case: how the stop or investigation began, what evidence the police gathered, and whether that evidence was obtained lawfully. From there, Gary explains your options in plain language. In some cases the right path is challenging the evidence. In others it is negotiating with prosecutors. When neither resolves the case fairly, he defends you at trial.
Throughout the process, you work one-on-one with Gary. You speak with him on the initial call, and he stays with your case personally until it is finished. When you have a question about a hearing or a plea offer, you ask the attorney who is actually handling it.
Criminal Defense Attorney Serving Four Southeast Michigan Counties
Being accused of a crime can put your freedom, reputation, and future opportunities at risk. The Law Office of Gary R. Lazar represents individuals facing criminal charges throughout Macomb, Oakland, Wayne, and Washtenaw Counties. Based in Warren, Gary works directly with clients to examine the circumstances of their arrests, review the evidence, and develop an appropriate defense strategy. From misdemeanor accusations and traffic-related offenses to serious felony charges, the firm provides criminal defense representation to individuals in communities including Sterling Heights, Detroit, Pontiac, Southfield, Livonia, and Ann Arbor.
Criminal Defense Questions
What kinds of criminal cases does Gary handle?
He takes cases involving drug crimes, violent crimes, sex crimes, juvenile crimes, and white-collar crimes, along with OWI, DUI, and traffic offenses.
What penalties can a drug charge carry in Michigan?
Depending on the details of the case, a drug charge can bring thousands of dollars in fines and years in prison. Possession and trafficking are both treated seriously under state law.
Can evidence against me be challenged?
Yes. Gary challenges evidence that was obtained illegally. In white-collar cases, he may also challenge insufficient evidence during the investigatory stage so the charges are dropped.
How can a conviction affect my life after the case?
A conviction can stay on your record permanently and affect your ability to get a job, a loan, or an apartment. A violent crime conviction can also mean losing certain rights, such as the right to own a gun.
Will I work with Gary or someone else at the firm?
You work one-on-one with Gary from the initial call to the very end of your case.
When should I contact a defense attorney?
As soon as possible after an arrest or charge. Call (586) 707-3914 to set up an appointment.
