Bales & Rubin - Criminal Law Specialists

03/27/2025

When “Experience Counts” and “Reputation Matters” - St. Clair County’s Premier Criminal Defense Firm - Bales & Rubin, PLLC.

With over 50 years of combined legal experience handling all criminal offenses, driver’s license restoration, and criminal expungements.

810-987-6565

04/13/2023

Michigan's "Clean Slate" Legislation has been in effect since April of 2021, which in many ways opened the flood gates for allowing expungements. Since that time, Bales & Rubin, PLLC has filed dozens of successful applications wiping our clients' criminal records clean. Then, on April 11, 2023, the Michigan State Police rolled out a process to automatically expunge some, but not all, convictions without an application. This new process has added another layer of complexity and confusion for the expungement process. So, the Firm underwent some additional training this week to better assist our client's understand the process. Questions about expungement? Give us a call. 810-987-6565

04/16/2022

This month has begun a busy jury trial season for Bales & Rubin, PLLC. The Firm is happy to report that, last week, Josh obtained Not Guilty verdicts for his client who was charged with multiple counts of Domestic Violence. This week, Josh obtained Not Guilty verdicts for his client charged with multiple counts of CSC 1st. In the latter case, Josh's client was facing a mandatory sentence of 25 years imprisonment if convicted of any count. Thankfully that result was avoided, and Josh's client went home.

04/19/2021

As many know, the Michigan "Clean Slate" legislation is in full effect allowing many to request the set aside of their criminal convictions. Last week, we filed our first round of Expungement Petitions for a variety of clients/crimes that were not eligible before the new law became effective 04/11/21. Round two will be filed in a couple of weeks. Let us know if you want to be part of round three or if you have any questions about eligibility or the process in general. We would be happy to help! 810-987-6565

03/04/2021

After another 6 month pause, St. Clair County has resumed doing jury trials this week. Josh was back at it yesterday and was fortunate enough to gain a full acquittal for his client who was facing charges of Assault/Battery and Disturbing the Peace. When experience matters, please give us a call. 810-987-6565.

09/12/2020

Bales & Rubin has moved! We are now at 516 McMorran Blvd. - just a couple of blocks from the courthouse. Tom, Josh, and Mary Ann are excited for this opportunity to help our clients from this new location. Please stop by and see us!

09/05/2020

In his 2nd Jury Trial of the week, Josh Rubin obtained another "Not Guilty" verdict for his client. Hard work and preparation pays off. Please call us when experience matters. 810-987-6565.

09/02/2020

https://www.thetimesherald.com/story/news/2020/08/31/judge-denies-motion-postpone-jury-trials-during-covid-19-pandemic/3446480001/

Interesting article from today's Times Herald. The competing interests of protecting a defendant's constitutional rights, while moving trial dockets during a pandemic has been something that has weighed on all of our minds. Well, St. Clair County is clearly a "go" for trials. Today, Bales & Rubin had the pleasure of conducting St. Clair County's first jury trial through to verdict since the pandemic began. Josh won a Not Guilty verdict for his client who was charged with Domestic Violence. While Josh is happy for the win, he is equally happy that the system seemed to work in a fair manner during these difficult times.

The St. Clair County Public Defender's Office will conduct their first jury trial since the start of the pandemic on Tuesday.

07/02/2020

Lesson of the day....Waiting 3 years to bring OWI 2nd charges coupled with a loss of evidence = procedural due process violation. Research done. Motion filed. Case dismissed. Josh had one happy client today!

06/20/2020

We keep busy on our cases, but we still make time for training and CLE. Some of the trainings we have done this year:

06/19 - Cross Examination Trial Skills Simulation Program
05/19 - COVID-19 Issue Spotting and Record Preservation
05/13 - DWI Detection & Standard Field Sobriety Testing
05/05 - Opening Statement Trial Skills Simulation Program
05/01 - Motion Practice - Winning Your Case Before Trial
04/28 - Cell Phone Forensics
04/17 - Evidence Extravaganza: How to Rule in the Courtroom
04/10 - COVID-19 Motions Training
01/17 - Driver's License Restoration & MI Law Updates

And more to come.....