Posts by Barton Morris | Michigan Federal Attorney

About Barton Morris

Attorney Morris has enjoyed a very successful and distinguished career as a trial lawyer. He is known for his trial preparation by fellow attorneys, judges and clients alike. As a trial attorney, he is dedicated to attaining justice in every case. Mr. Morris fights for his clients and does not just plea them guilty. Not only does Barton Morris have extensive experience, he also engages in continuing legal education to provide the highest quality legal services. Barton has received specialized scientific training through the American Chemical Society. He attended the prestigious Trial Lawyers College and serves on its Alumni Association Board of Directors. His firm is prepared to take on complex legal issues with success. Barton Morris was chosen as a Top Lawyer of Metro Detroit for 2012 and 2013 for DUI/DWI and criminal defense by DBusiness Magazine. Barton Morris was also chosen as a Super Lawyer in Criminal Defense for 2014-2015 and Barton Morris is the only Lawyer in Michigan designated by the American Chemical Society as a “Forensic Lawyer-Scientist”

Federal Criminal Prosecution Government Cooperation Strategies

Barton Morris2016-11-16T13:37:30+00:00April 15th, 2015|

Cooperating with government is a very common, and sometimes effective strategy in mitigating the consequences of a federal criminal prosecution. Unlike state prosecutions, assisting the government in the prosecution of crime, including your own, can have a tangible benefit meaning it can be somewhat quantified before hand. In State court, cooperating is rarely a strategy if ever. In federal criminal prosecutions, it happens all the time. Sometimes lawyers are too [...]

Federal Prison Rehab Program RDAP can reduce a sentence by one year

Barton Morris2016-11-16T13:37:30+00:00March 2nd, 2015|

A significant portion of the federal prison population suffered from a serious drug or alcohol dependency before their federal charges and conviction. In recognition of this large segment of prisoners and in an effort to ensure success upon their release, the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) has the Residential Drug Abuse Treatment Program (RDAP). This residential inpatient program is mandated by federal law. Qualified prisoner's who enter and complete the program [...]

Once a Drug Dealer Does not Automatically Mean Always a Drug Dealer

Barton Morris2016-11-16T13:37:30+00:00February 9th, 2015|

The Defendant Samuel Richardson was charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine base in the Federal Court in Bay City Michigan. At trial the government sought to use Richardson's 1998 state conviction for Delivering less than 50 grams of cocaine under Federal Rule of Evidence 404(b) which allows other bad acts evidence to show that the Defendant had the same intent to distribute cocaine. The court noted that they [...]

Department of Justice Eliminates the Federal Forfeiture Adoption Program

Barton Morris2016-11-16T13:37:31+00:00January 22nd, 2015|

The Department of Justice has had a criminal asset forfeiture program since the 1980's. The purpose of the forfeiture program is to prevent criminal enterprises from making an illegal profit, to return money to victims of crime and combat organized crime groups. Since 1993 the Federal program allowed state law enforcement agencies to "adopt" their program using the federal court to seize and forfeit crime related property because at that [...]

Amendments to Federal Sentencing Guidelines mean tougher penalties for Vicodin Cases

Barton Morris2016-11-16T13:37:42+00:00January 10th, 2015|

Hydrocodone is a prescription opioid analgesic narcotic used to treat and relieve pain. The most well known brand name is Vicodin which is hydrocodone mixed with acetaminophen. It is the most prescribed medication in the country. Prior to August of 2014 Vicodin and other medications that were mixtures with hydrocodone were classified by the Drug Enforcement Agency as a schedule three drug meaning that it was less likely for abuse [...]

Court Rules Those Suspected of Child Porn have Less Rights in Their Homes

Barton Morris2016-11-16T13:37:42+00:00December 23rd, 2014|

The United States Constitution states that one of our most cherished rights in this country is to be free from searches of our homes without a search warrant based upon particularized facts that establish a nexus between the place to be searched and the evidence sought. That means before the police can search our homes, they must demonstrate sufficient evidence that there is actually evidence of a crime in the [...]

Attempt Fleeing and Eluding Ruled a Violent Felony for ACCA

Barton Morris2016-11-16T13:37:42+00:00December 6th, 2014|

Federal criminal law carries a stern punishment for persons whom qualify as armed career criminals (ACCA). If a person is convicted of unlawfully possessing a firearm under 922(g) and they have three previous convictions for violent felonies or serious drug offense they must serve a mandatory 15 years in prison. A violent felony is defined as an offense that has an element of the use or attempted use of physical [...]