Overall Rating
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
5.0 /5.0
14 Client Reviews
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Martin H. Leaf
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About Martin
Biography
We represent criminal defendants, the elderly, and other civil matters. Criminal defendants and the elderly are two segments that need someone to fight for them.
CRIMINAL LAW
Former Wayne County Judge George Crockett III once told me: “Don’t push a judge, but don’t let a judge push you”. We will spare no effort when warranted, we will never back down when promoting your cause and your rights. In criminal law prosecutors often overcharge, in hopes that the defendant will plead to what the defendant should have originally been charged with. For example, a defendant might be charged with Assault With Intent To Do Great Bodily Harm, instead of Aggravated Assault. That is an illusory offer – no real offer at all – and therefore inappropriate.
Everyone makes mistakes, including judges, juries, and attorneys. That is why it is important to understand appellate law, as we do, even during the trial court phase. If issues are not preserved, they can be deemed waived and any appeal can therefore be jeopardized.
It is also sometimes necessary to appeal when a case is still in the trial court, which is an appeal that the appellate court has discretion to grant and is called an interlocutory appeal. This is another example of where knowledge of appellate law is critical, even when the case is in the trial court.
Unfortunately, the availability of the internet, and the negative implication that any criminal record – even a misdemeanor – has on an individual, makes it essential that no convictions or unwarranted charges appear on anyone’s criminal history. It can mean not getting accepted to college or a job. That is why any criminal matter is very serious. It is also why it is essential to make sure that your criminal history does not contain anything that can and should be removed.
We offer a service, for $19.99 where we will check the Michigan state police criminal database. This check can be done by anyone – including you – for $10.00 as long as the name, gender, and date of birth for the record that is to be retrieved is provided. However, we will analyze the record for you, and discuss what can be removed, and whether or not the information is accurate because often the data that the Michigan state police has is wrong to your detriment.
We provide this service for ten extra dollars because we want to determine if we can expunge or otherwise remove data that should not be in your record.
Check out our interactive program regarding serious driving offenses – Interactive Driving Program. It is one of our many soon to be released automated systems to help you with legal issues at no cost, even if you choose another law firm besides us – although we hope you retain us.
What most attorneys do not discuss with their clients are the driver license consequences and procedures, in addition to the long term insurance costs of a given serious driving conviction. Our interactive program includes this essential information. Many aspects of the law can and should be computerized like our program.
However, law is a uniquely human endeavor and many aspects of the law require human interaction. Although in theory, issues such as expungements can be reduced to a computer program, the program would have no way of knowing if there were charges or convictions that were on a person’s state police record that should not have been there – we have even had a few clients that were mistakenly labeled as terrorists! That is why interaction with us is essential to the process of ensuring a valid accurate record. There are also issues of charges and convictions from other jurisdictions besides Michigan, including Federal – another reason to use our services.
ELDER LAW
Our senior citizens often have the greatest need for legal protection. Yet, they often have no means to legally protect themselves. We are not only making the necessary legal documents and information available to seniors and their families, but we want to gently and thoroughly – while figuratively holding their hand – guide them through the process. Like the driving offense interactive program above, this service is free – although we hope you will retain us for further assistance.
There are many programs available that can save seniors tens of thousands of dollars which we can assist you with, including through the interactive program. Unlike some programs that purport to provide legal documents, and therefore legal protection, we start at square one. That means we not only provide, for example, a will, but rather we also assist you in determining if a trust is more appropriate for your needs than a will. Likewise with a durable power of attorney as compared to a guardianship.
Practice Areas
4
Practice Areas
Appeals
30%
Criminal Defense
30%
DUI and DWI
25%
Expungement
15%
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Awards
2021
Licenses
Licensed in Michigan for 36 years
State: Michigan
Acquired: 1989
No misconduct found
Location
Law Offices of Dana B. Carron PC and Martin H. Leaf PLLC
2055 Orchard Lake Rd, Sylvan Lake, MI, 48320
appealpro.org/Martin H. Leaf's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 10 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Moussa | May 20, 2023 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Clients come first...
Mr. Martin Leaf always answers my calls, gives me the correct advice whether I want to hear it or not, great with communication, meticulous and most important he worked "miracles" on my case. I now go to him and him only for all my legal issues.
Posted by Dawn | March 23, 2022 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
A Happy Ending
I have known Attorney Martin Leaf for a few years now. From the beginning, he has shown great knowledge concerning the legal system and how he can be of assistance for my son who was facing a civil rights case as well as a criminal case. Martin was able to represent my son in a manner that got the at...
Posted by Shelly | October 5, 2021 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
A true fighter for Justice
Mr. Leaf is a one of a kind attorney. He got the justice my two sons deserved. My sons stepmother attempted have them taken out of there fathers will. I hired Mr. Leaf and like a pit bull he never gave up. Martin is the kind of attorney that thinks outside of the box. I was very impressed with t...
Posted by anonymous | October 5, 2021 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
A Genius with the Key to freedom and True Justice
After losing sight and hope for freedom, I was pointed in The direction of Mr. leaf by many notorious attorneys. One phone gave me a clear vision to an early release from the prison sentence of “LIFE”. He did all the necessary research and investigation required to build a solid argument that was bul...
Posted by MICHEAL | September 26, 2021 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
A great attorney
Martin Leaf has helped me out on numerous occasions. He is very well versed in the law, and got me out of many tickets. I would strongly recommend Martin if you need an attorney.
Martin H. Leaf's Lawyer Endorsements
"I give Martin my highest endorsement. As an assistant prosecuting attorney I tried a homicide trial where Martin represented the defendant and, subsequently, we have worked on criminal appeals and civil litigation as co-counsel. Martin is exceptionally knowledgeable of criminal law, evidence and trial tactics. He is very professional and is committed to the pursuit of justice on behalf of his clients. I’ve worked with him on briefs and observed him address the court in oral argument. His legal reasoning and analysis of issues is excellent and clearly articulated."
"I endorse this lawyer, whom I've known professionally for over twenty years, in all areas of criminal law, including appellate work, and in various other matters of the general practice of law. Mr. Leaf has the ability to effectively deal with the basic issues, getting to the heart of a matter quickly, so as to keep a jurist's attention, while also raising and arguing often-unique parts of a case that other attorneys would not notice. He is capable of handling complex matters as he lends the same incisive reasoning to them, just as he does the more routine cases. I, also, do not feel he would be limited to criminal matters, only, as he seems to have the focus and concentration to understand many areas of the law and would effectively handle them. He also often co-counsel's with attorneys in this regard.."
"I endorse this lawyer. Martin Leaf has extraordinary legal skills and abilities and gets excellent results for his clients."
"I endorse this lawyer. I've known Martin for several years and I've found him to be both an ethical and devoted advocate for his clients. Moreover, Martin has been passionate about causes that affect the greater community and has given of himself by way of pro bono help. I am proud to call him my friend and a fellow lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Martin Leaf has exceptional skills in writing appellate briefs and `has extraordinary analytical skills which are apparent as soon as you read his work. He is insightful, knowledgeable and quickly grasps the issue (s) at hand. He is a true wordsmith and I commend him to anyone without any hesitation or reservation whatsoever. His skillset in criminal defense is also superlative and goes hand in hand with his appellate and expungement practice. If you need any kind of appeal, Martin Leaf is your man!"
"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Leaf is a hard working and aggressive legal genius, and highly respected in the legal community. I have often worked with him on cases together. Not only is he highly gifted as a criminal defense and appellate attorney, but he also has a comprehensive grasp of a vast array of other legal knowledge and proceedings."
"I have worked on a variety of matters with Martin Leaf. He is professional, insightful, and cares about his clients. I give my wholehearted endorsement of this attorney. If I ever need legal representation I would hire him for my own case."
"Martin Leaf is the attorney for attorneys. He can come up with solutions and approaches that other attorneys fail to see. He is the person I go to when I have a complex legal issue."
Experience
Honors
2021
Client Champion Award, Martindale-Hubbell
2021
Top Attorney, National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys
2021
Prestigious Award, Acquisition International
2019
30th Anniversary, Martindale-Hubbell
2013
25th Anniversary, Martindale-Hubbell®
1989
American Jurisprudence Award, American Jurisprudence
Work Experience
1995 - Present
Attorney, Martin Leaf
1995 - 2000
Expert System Developer, Wayne County Circuit Court
1990 - 1995
Public Defender, Martin Leaf
Associations
1989 - Present
State Bar of MichiganMember
2014 - 2019
Lawyers in MENSAMember
Education
1989
University of Detroit
JD - Juris Doctor
1980
University of Michigan
Other - Bachelors
Speaking Engagements
2021
CLE- Attended Conference
Wound Ballistics for Attorneys
Publications
2020
State Bar of Michigan publication
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES V GOVERNOR
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers