Last year, Kalkaska Superintendent Terrence Starr was placed on paid leave after three misdemeanor charges were brought against him [Source: Up North Live]. Starr allegedly made a false report of a crime to police, intentionally filed a false report of child abuse with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, and made a false and malicious accusation of criminal sexual conduct. Starr was said to have made these false accusations against an employee at the Elk Rapids School while he worked as the principal for the middle school.
Michigan police claimed Starr “knew the allegations were false when he reported them to administrators.” After the claims were made, The Board of Education of the Kalkaska Public Schools made this announcement: “[The board] recently became aware of criminal charges being filed against Superintendent Terry Starr. Mr. Starr is charged with falsely reporting a felony and failing to report child abuse. The charges are only allegations; Mr. Starr is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.”
After Starr was arrested in 2019, he was released on a $2,500 personal recognizance bond.
Starr Appears in Court for Trial
On Friday, March 13, 2020, Starr appeared in court for trial. After the jury deliberated for a little over an hour, they had arrived at their verdict. As each of the charges that had been filed against Starr were read, they were followed by a “not guilty.” After the verdict was announced, “cheers and applause rose up but were soon replaced by quiet sobs and sniffles as those who spent five days following the proceedings and the last 11 months vehemently defending and supporting Starr released a wealth of pent up emotion that overflowed after he was acquitted,” reports the Record Eagle.
Starr, who is a father to six, said his “ordeal” has been the hardest on his only daughter Molly. After learning that he had been acquitted, Starr embraced his daughter who couldn’t hold back her tears. He said, “what this presents to you is what really matters in life and what you truly have to be thankful for.” Had Starr been convicted of the three charges, he would have faced up to a year in jail.
What does it mean when a defendant is acquitted?
When a defendant is acquitted, it means the judge and/or jury has found him/her not guilty of the crimes the prosecutor was trying to prove he/she committed. Although a person can be acquitted of a crime, meaning they wouldn’t be convicted, it doesn’t mean they are free from civil liability, that is, if a civil case is brought against them. For example, let’s say a person was charged with a criminal offense that stemmed from an incident that left someone injured. The prosecutor was not able to prove he/she was guilty which resulted in them being acquitted, or found not guilty. While they wouldn’t be convicted, they could be required to pay the person they injured if that individual were to file a personal injury lawsuit against them and win their case.
Although not all defendants are lucky enough to get acquitted of the crimes they allegedly committed, they do increase their chances of being found not guilty when they are represented by Ingham County, MI criminal lawyer Stuart R. Shafer.
Contact an Ingham County, MI Criminal Law Firm if You Need Help Proving Your Innocence
Proving your innocence isn’t an easy thing to do, especially if prosecutors have managed to build a strong case against you. That is why you must retain an Ingham County, MI criminal attorney if you want to successfully fight your charges. Whether you are guilty of committing a crime or not, it all boils down to the evidence prosecutors have gathered to use against you. If you aren’t well-versed in criminal law or don’t know how to prove that the evidence being used against you is inaccurate or was obtained illegally, you risk being convicted of the crime.
But this is where an Ingham County, Michigan criminal lawyer can help you.
When a person has been charged with a criminal offense in Ingham County, MI, they need someone who is capable of defending their rights and freedom. They need a legal expert who is aggressive and knowledgeable in the field so that they aren’t charged with a crime they didn’t commit or faced with penalties that don’t fit the crime. If you are looking for a criminal lawyer who can help you understand your charges and is willing to dedicate the time your case needs, contact the Law Offices of Stuart R. Shafer, P.C. today.
You can reach the Law Offices of Stuart R. Shafer, P.C. at:
1223 Turner Street, #333
Lansing, MI 48906
Phone: 517-487-6603
Website: www.stushafer.com
