Lynn D'Orio specializes in criminal defense, juvenile delinquency, abuse / neglect cases and family law, including non-traditional divorce. She is a passionate advocate of the law and uses her skills to obtain the best results for her clients. She is an outstanding teacher and speaker and has proven her trail ability in her private practice.
Lynn will protect the rights of her clients whether charged with possession of drugs, robbery, breaking and entering, home invasion, sex crimes or any other felony. She defends her clients charged with misdemeanors (such as impaired driving, drunk driving and domestic violence) just as zealously as her felony clients.
Lynn's young clients who find themselves accused of crimes in the juvenile courts will not be pushed through the system and forced to plea, either. Lynn has and will demand line-ups and the suppression of evidence in juvenile case. She will work to provide a positive outcome.
Why does she work so hard on these "little" cases? Because any criminal charge, whether it be delinquency, misdemeanor or felony, is serious. Not all convictions can be expunged (erased) from a person's criminal record. If the conviction can be expunged, nothing can be done for five years. Juvenile adjudications are not "closed". If a juvenile is convicted of a sex crime (sexual assault or criminal sexual conduct), he or she will have to register as a sex offender. That registration will make any child's path to adulthood difficult. And any conviction, even if it is deferred, expunged or set aside, will be counted against a person if he or she is ever charged with a crime again.
In the area of Family law there are child abuse and neglect cases as well as non-traditional divorce. In the child abuse and neglect arena, Lynn will fight to protect the fundamental right of parents to raise their children. She is familiar with Child Protective Services and the Department of Human Services (formerly the Family Independence Agency). She understands the anger and frustration her clients feel when faced with the possible termination of their parental rights. She will investigate and search for the medical and environmental factors that give rise to the accusations of child abuse and child neglect and will work with her clients to identify needs that should be addressed in light of the accusations.
As for "non-traditional divorce", Lynn is aware of the many problems gay and lesbian couples face in the State of Michigan. Michigan law invalidates a marriage contract between individuals of the same sex. MCLA § 551.1. Michigan law also defines marriage as "a civil contract between a man and a woman". MCLA § 551.2. In 2004 Michigan voters amended the Michigan Constitution to add section 25 to Article 1 stating that:
To secure and preserve the benefits of marriage for our society and for future generations of children, the union of one man and one woman in marriage shall be the only agreement recognized as a marriage or similar union for any purpose.
The Court of Appeals concluded that the word "recognized" as used in the amendment "is in a legal sense, i.e., to acknowledge the legal validity of something." National Pride at Work et al v Governor of Michigan et al, 274 Mich App 147,160; 732 NW2d 139 (2007) The Court rejected the argument that a domestic partnership agreement "is a mere formality having no legal consequences beyond the recognition of the relationship for insurance purposes." The Court stated, "The 'public proclamation' nature of a domestic partnership agreement grants a same-sex couple the status to hold themselves out as a publicly recognized monogamous couple, i.e. a union." Id.
The Court stated a relationship between two same-sex partners cannot be consideration because legal recognition of such consideration would validate the relationship contrary to the Michigan Constitution, section 25, Article 1. National Pride at Work, supra at 164. The Court of Appeals went on to hold that the amendment bars Michigan public employers from extending same-sex domestic partnership benefits. Id at 165
In the face of the draconian laws the gay and lesbian citizens of Michigan must live with (for now, any way), Lynn will work creatively to find agreements and contracts that will be upheld by the courts. She will also work with her clients to protect their interests up front - before there is any thought of separation or divorce.
Lynn is committed to serving her clients and her community. She will listen to you first.