- DivorceAfter a divorce agreement has been signed, it is sometimes necessary to make changes. But ex-spouses are seldom amenable to modifications. If you need a child support modification or other change to a divorce decree, you need a strong, experienced family law attorney.
- Child SupportFamily law encompasses a myriad of legal matters relating to family issues. Family law rulings help resolve family conflicts involving marriage, divorce, cohabitation, paternity, alimony, child support, custody and visitation rights, adoption, and much more.
- Child Custody and VisitationChild custody is often the most emotional and difficult issue in family law cases. The courts consider what’s in the best interest of the child when they determine who gets custody with the child. To get custody over your child, you must be judged favorably on these factors...
- Adoption
- Paternity
- Premarital AgreementPrenuptial agreements may not be necessary for every couple. There is a common misconception that prenuptial agreements are only necessary for the very wealthy, but persons with fewer assets can also benefit from an agreement. Our prenuptial agreement and family law lawyers in Michigan encourages you and your partner to think about creating an agreement if...
- Spousal SupportAn award of spousal support is ordinarily made within the context of the division of the parties’ property and assets. Under appropriate circumstances, a trial court may provide for temporary spousal support while a divorce case is pending, or may order support to be paid retroactive to the date the complaint for divorce was filed. A spousal support award may take into consideration the amount of marital estate, and whether one of the spouses will have to liquidate assets awarded in the divorce in order to maintain a reasonable lifestyle. Where one spouse has sufficient income to preserve his or her share of the property settlement and the other does not, spousal support may be appropriate.
- Criminal DefenseAssault is defined as: the threat or attempt of force or battery on another that causes the victim to have a reasonable apprehension of imminent harm. In criminal law, assault is defined as an attempt to commit battery, requiring the specific intent to cause physical injury. If you are currently being investigated for or have been charged with the crime of assault it would be in your best interest to hire a qualified attorney immediately. An assault charge is extremely serious and can result in the immediate loss of your freedom.
- DUI/DWIOperating your motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs (OUID, OUIN) carries the same penalties as drunk driving. However, as the law now stands, if you have ANY trace amount of ANY illegal drug or controlled substance without a valid prescription you can be charged with OUID or OUIN. You’ll need a successful and proven trial lawyer to help prove your innocence in these cases.
- Wrongful DeathThe lawyers at Robert Vitale and Associates are experienced in handling these serious injury and wrongful death cases.
- Sex CrimesIn Michigan sex crimes, such as rape and molestation, are classified as Criminal Sexual Conduct or CSC. Being charged with any degree of Criminal Sexual Conduct is a frightening experience for anyone to go through. Whether you are accused of child molestation, rape, date rape, possession of child pornography, or any other sex crime, you can count on Robert Vitale & Associates to aggressively prove your innocence.
- FraudComputer hacking, fraud, credit card fraud, identity theft, internet extortion, investment fraud, Ponzi/pyramid schemes, investment fraud, lotteries, internet auction fraud, phishing/spoofing (forged electronic documents), and spam can all result in an investigation and potential prosecution for federal internet crimes, or cyber-crimes.
- RobberyRobert J. Vitale proudly served in the Harper Woods Police Department for 18 years. He graduated from the Detroit Metropolitan Police Academy in 1986. He is police trained and certified in drug and alcohol recognition, standardized field sobriety tests, BAC data master breath test operator, accident investigation, crime scene investigation, as well as numerous other training and certifications. He was the D.A.R.E. Officer teaching youth the dangers of drugs and alcohol. He was the recipient of the Mother’s Against Drunk Driving (M.A.D.D.) award. He had a highly decorated career as a Police Officer, including commendations, such as the Chiefs Award for outstanding performance in the line of duty in connection with several bank robbery arrests that Mr. Vitale was responsible for obtaining convictions.
- White Collar CrimesTheft cases include everything from minor shoplifting on up to complex white-collar crimes involving very large amounts of money. Naturally, the greater the amount of the theft, the more serious the case is. Theft occurs when you take something without the intention of returning it. You can also be charged with Theft if you intend to return the thing of value, but refuse to return it until you are given something that you are not legally entitled to.
- Theft
- MisdemeanorsAssault is considered a violent crime in Michigan. Being accused of assault can result in either a misdemeanor or a felony charge. Either charge will result in jail time, fines, and restitution to the victim, counseling, parole and a mark on your criminal record for life. It can also result in the loss of your rights to own a firearm, loss of employment, lifetime revocation of your driver’s license and a damaged reputation.
- Drug CrimesIn Michigan, drug offenses or drug charges cover a broad range of offenses, from the less severe, like simple possession of a small amount of certain drugs, to the more serious, such as drug trafficking, participation in an ongoing drug-related criminal enterprise or manufacturing and distributing drugs.
- AssaultDomestic violence is a type of assault and battery where the two parties have some sort of domestic relationship. This includes anyone who you may have been married to, had a child in common with, a resident or former resident of your household, or someone you have/had an intimate and consistent relationship with.
- MurderIn Michigan the most serious criminal charge is murder. Murder charges can be very involved and therefore, deserve very careful attention. Convictions arising from the charges below carry very lengthy prison sentences including life without benefit of parole. Your lawyer must be very skilled and experienced to handle these types of cases. If you are convicted of murder, or attempted murder, contact Robert Vitale & Associates. The lawyers at Robert Vitale & Associates have defended clients of...
- Juvenile CrimesRobert Vitale and Associates Criminal Lawyers bring experience, integrity, and commitment to your defense. We are criminal lawyers who fight to defend each client’s liberty, livelihood, rights, and reputation. If you’re facing criminal charges – including theft, assault, robbery, domestic violence, DUI, drug possession, juvenile crimes, hit and run, vandalism, or other misdemeanors or felonies – you deserve the quality legal defense that and experienced criminal lawyer can provide. Our clients get the advantage of our experience combined with the full range of top quality legal services we provide – including outstanding legal research, as well as partnerships with top investigative services. Our expert investigator partners can interview witnesses and gather relevant evidence. Our comprehensive approach helps us build the best possible defense tailored to the unique details of each case.
- Identity Theft
- Homicide
- Shoplifting
- Kidnapping(Photo: Michigan Department of Correcitons) BERRIEN COUNTY — A jail inmate who fatally shot two bailiffs, injuring two more people at a courthouse before he was killed in an escape attempt Monday, faced sexually assault and kidnapping charges carrying up to life in prison, according to state records. Larry Darnell Gordon, 44, of Coloma was charged in April with armed first-degree […]
- ManslaughterMr. Vitale is a 1990 graduate of Madonna University with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and a 1994 graduate of the University of Detroit Mercy Law School. Mr. Vitale was admitted to the Michigan Bar in May 1995. He is also an Institute of Continuing Legal Education (ICLE) certified family lawyer. Mr. Vitale’s practice is concentrated in the areas of criminal and family law, although he does practice in other areas as well. Mr. Vitale’s background and training as a police officer gives him a unique insight into his client’s cases. This is especially true for his client’s charged with criminal matters, where he has handled numerous serious criminal cases. He has handled capital drug cases, capital sex offenses, serious drunk driving offenses, and manslaughter cases, to name a few.
- Internet CrimesOne fact is certain: the United States Government monitors internet activity. Whether an individual is simply “surfing the net”, downloading content through peer-to-peer file-sharing programs, or communicating in a chat-room, law enforcement surveillance should be assumed, and there is no anonymity in an individual’s of his or her computer. Based on internet surveillance and monitoring, federal agents investigating internet crimes can and do obtain warrant to seize computers. And, contrary to common belief, deleting a file or content from a computer does not make it disappear. Federal agents investigating internet crimes possess the computer programs, time, and funding to retrieve date thought deleted or destroyed.
- Extortion
- Hit and Run
- Workers CompensationAt Robert Vitale and Associates we handle a variety of legal cases including: car accidents, bus accidents, construction accidents, dog bite injuries, drunk driving accidents, medical malpractice injuries, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, product liability, semi-truck accidents, slip and fall accidents, train accident injury, workers compensation, and wrongful death to name a few.
- Real Estate Litigation
- Premises LiabilityAll slip and fall accidents are covered by negligence law and deal with the concept of premises liability. Property owners have a duty of care to see that their property is safe. This includes ensuring that the building has no structural defects that could cause an accident, both inside and out, including loose floor mats, rugs, or tiles; water on the floor; badly lit stairs or steps; and cracks or holes in sidewalks or parking lots. In some states, the property owner may also have a duty to reduce problem areas caused by weather like standing water and icy spots. A plaintiff or claimant also has a duty to exercise reasonable care, so if any action of yours contributed to the accident, you may share in the negligence.
- Real Estate TransactionsRobert Vitale and Associates handles residential and commercial real estate transactions, representing mortgage lenders, buyers, and sellers. We also provide commercial litigation services and assist clients with retail and commercial collections, work-outs, and mortgage and note modifications to recover all types of debts.
- Personal InjuryAt Robert Vitale and Associates you will receive compassionate and highly personalized legal representation from an attorney who will fight tirelessly for your right to just and ample compensation for your injuries.When you choose a personal injury attorney at Robert Vitale and Associates you’ll receive exceptional legal representation. Let us protect your rights to a maximum possible cash settlement award – make today the day you decide to contact Robert Vitale and Associates.
- Medical MalpracticeMedical malpractice is the failure of medical professionals (including doctors, nurses and hospitals) to provide acceptable treatments to patients. It is the third leading cause of death in America, killing 100,000 people every year.
- Auto Accidents