Wedding Reception Nightmare: Why You Should Consult with a Criminal Defense Attorney

Anna Pastuszuwska and Andy Somora, formerly of Chicago, decided they wanted to get married on the beach in Lakeside, Michigan.  The couple wanted to have their wedding there because they had spent many wonderful times in the resort when they were dating.  After the ceremony, the wedding party proceeded to the Burnison Art Gallery for the reception.  According to witnesses at the reception, the wedding party proceeded to get drunk and unruly and the reception got potentially dangerous.

The owner of the art gallery, Tom Burnison, said that the police were only called in as a last resort after the reception party got unruly and one of the guests hurled a metal lamp through a plate glass window.  According to Burnison, the reception got out of control when the guests got overly intoxicated with alcohol.

When the police got there, they told everyone to leave that the party was over.  The groom reportedly got angry and started shouting at the officers and supposedly moved toward the police officers.  That is when one of the officers shot him with a Taser gun.  The bride was stunned by the same current because of she was holding on to her groom at the time he was Tasered.  Police proceeded to arrest the couple as well as the father, uncle, aunt, and cousin of the groom.

The newlyweds spent their wedding night in separate jail cells.  The groom was charged with resisting and obstructing police, which is a felony in Michigan.  He was also charged with disturbing the peace.  The groom pleaded guilty to the felony charge.  He is awaiting sentencing.  The bride pleaded guilty to a reduced charge.  She was fined $600.

In Michigan, a felony charge for resisting and obstructing police can carry a punishment of: 

• Imprisonment for up to two years or a fine of up to $2,000, or both
• Imprisonment for up to four years or a fine of up to $5,000, or both if the offense causes bodily injury requiring medical attention or medical care to another person
• Imprisonment for up to 15 years or a fine of up to $10,000, or both if the offense causes a serious impairment of a body function to another person
• Imprisonment for up to 20 years or a fine of up to $20,000, or both if the offense causes the death to another person

The charge and penalties can also increase in severity if a weapon was used in the offense.

If you are charged with felony or misdemeanor, you should consult with an experienced criminal defense attorney before you speak with police or enter any plea in your case.  Criminal charges are not always black and white and a capable and knowledgeable criminal defense attorney can help you mount a good defense that might eliminate or reduce your charges and penalties.