Contact

Robert Keyes LAW
300 North Huron Street,
Ypsilanti, Michigan, 48197
Phone/Text: (734) 662-1590
Fax: (734) 786-0707

OTHER AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Drunk Driving

As a prosecutor I reviewed hundreds of drunk driving cases. He knows what prosecutors look for in your case and how to identify weaknesses in the traffic stop, the field sobriety tests, the use of the roadside PBT, the arrest, and the breath test at the station or the blood test at the hospital.

As you can see from the very short paragraph above, drunk driving defense can be quite complex. There are lots of potential issues to be thoroughly investigated and understood before we know how to proceed with your case. Call me for your free consultation about the circumstances of your situation. You can reach him anytime day or night at the following number: (734) 662-1590.

Traffic Tickets

If You Haven't Had One Yet, You Will

***Don't call your insurance company about your ticket until you read the following information. ***

Traffic tickets are the bane of our existence. However, there are things that can be done to minimize the effects. Most people are more worried about the points (State of MI site) on their driver license and how the points may impact insurance rates that the actual cost (Ann Arbor cost, but typical) of the ticket itself.

As a prosecutor for the City of Ann Arbor I handled hundreds of these tickets. From talking with six different insurance companies he discovered that how they handle traffic violations ranged from ignoring them completely (unless there was an accident or damage claim of some sort) to raising rates dramatically for even just a few points. One agent said "Don't ask me about your rate if you got a ticket, because then I am obligated to get your driver license record and your rate will go up." The lesson to be learned is to check with your insurance company BEFORE you get a ticket.

Many if not most jurisdictions will offer you a plea to a lesser offense. Quite often it will be blockading traffic which has no points. However, Ann Arbor is an exception. Ann Arbor as a matter of policy will not reduce tickets below two points except in very rare instances. I can help you through the process whether it is Ann Arbor or another jurisdiction.

Minor in Possession

Do not take a Minor in Possession charge lightly

DO NOT PLEAD GUILTY without talking with me or another attorney!

You should know that prosecutors rarely lose Minor in Possession cases. As an Assistant City Attorney I prosecuted hundreds of these charges and only lost a few. However, like all criminal charges, a vigorous defense by a knowledgable attorney will maximize your chances of being found not guilty. I can provide you with that defense.

If after a thorough examination of the evidence in your case, he recommends that you plead guilty and you do that, the State of Michigan has a first offender law which will allow you to have your misdemeanor MIP case dismissed if you follow some stringent probation conditions. He will make sure that you completely understand the consequences to you if you do not follow those conditions.

Even if you successfully complete your probation and have your case dismissed you need to stay away from alcohol completely since a second offense can potentially be very serious.

Contact us for help in making sure that you (or your child) understand all the consequences of a MIP charges and convictions and how to get the best result from your case.

Personal Property Tax

If you own a business this information may save you money

If you do not know or understand Business Personal Property Tax, you should contact me immediately. Many businesses pay far more Business Personal Property Tax than they should. You may be one of them.

I collected Business Personal Property Taxes for several years as a municipal attorney. During that time he talked with many business owners who were paying more taxes than necessary and who subsequently saved money by understanding the process.

Q. What are Business Personal Property Taxes?
A. Broadly speaking this tax is based on the assessed value of the equipment and fixtures that it takes to run a business.

Q. What are some examples of this equipment?
A. A restaurant needs tables, chairs, kitchen equipment, cash registers, etc. A dentist's office would have furniture, that dreaded dental chair, drills, computers, a phone system, etc. An auto repair shop would have tools and other transportable equipment like an air compressor or a hydraulic jack. All of these things and many others are subject to this tax.

Q. How is the tax computed?
A. The millage rate is similar to the rate on real estate (the building and the land on which it is built). The value of the property is either estimated by the taxing authority or based on a Personal Property Tax Statement that each business files annually.

The mistake that many businesses make is not filing the annual Personal Property Tax Statement . Without that information the taxing authority will make an estimated assessment based on usual values.

*** If there is no annual Personal Property Tax Statement filed by the business, the assessment typically goes UP each year by as much as 10%! On the other hand if you keep current on your statement the assessment goes DOWN by about the same amount. ***

There are rigid time limits within which you can appeal your assessment. I can work with you to make sure that you do not miss this window of opportunity, and to help you understand the complexities of this entire process. He has seen many cases where a taxpayer's assessment was reduced by up to 50%, resulting in hundreds or thousands of dollars saved.