Legal Question in Criminal Law in Michigan

Signed confession, but I don't remember doing the crime.

I'm a 17 year old student at a small town high school. On Monday May 14th, 2007, I was taken into the principals office and talked to by an officer and the principal. They said that I had written a message on the bathroom wall saying ''There will be a school shooting after school.'' They said that my handwriting from my homework in various classes resembled the writing on the wall, and that they could have them compaired. If so, then they said it would come back as a match. Also, I was the one who found the writing on the wall, and I had told a couple friends whom were in the area at the time. I had shown them it, and they had thought it was a joke as I did. The officer and the principal said fingerprints were taken near the writing, and that they would come back as being mine. At this point, I didn't know what to do. I had previously found this writing on Thursday, but they wouldn't believe me when I said that. So, I was told that I would go to jail if I didn't cooporate and sign a confession, and if I did sign it, I would be able to go home, and the courts would be less strict with me. I just want to know, should I defend myself in court after signing the confession, or just hope for the best?


Asked on 5/15/07, 12:29 pm

3 Answers from Attorneys
Regina Mullen Legal Data Services, PLC

Re: Signed confession, but I don't remember doing the crime.

Whether or not you did it, and I think you're telling on yourself here, your post-confession memory is probably going to be outweighed by your confession.

You're old enough to know that this sort of thing is NOT a joke; kids have gone to jail in MI within the last 5 years for less.

This may be the most expensive joke you ever told, so you definitely need a good lawyer and challenge the evidence. A confession based on pressure may not hold up to a handwriting expert who is certain the writing isn't yours no matter what you confessed to.

On the other hand, if you did it, you're going to have dug a deeper hole so it's in your best interest to get your memory back.

Letting things go will not help.

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Answered on 5/24/07, 4:41 pm

Re: Signed confession, but I don't remember doing the crime.

Let me get this straight. You were stupid enough to sign a false confession and you want to know if you should defend yourself, right? My answer is no, you shouldn't defend yourself. You'd be better off just practicing brain surgery this week.

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Answered on 5/15/07, 3:05 pm
William Morrison Action Defense Center

Re: Signed confession, but I don't remember doing the crime.

Kid, you're in BIG TROUBLE! Stop talking about this to anyone else right now.

DO NOT TALK TO ANY POLICE OR SCHOOL OFFICIAL!

If you're in Southeast michigan, have your parents call me. If not, have them call your local county Bar Association and get a free consultation.

DO THIS NOW!

William Morrison

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Answered on 5/15/07, 4:48 pm


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