O'Neil, Daniel Richard

Daniel O’Neil was raised in Taylor, Michigan, with a family of seven. Mr. O’Neil graduated from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, in 1977, with a Bachelors of Business Administration (B.B.A.). Mr. O’Neil graduated from the Detroit College of Law in 1982. Mr. O’Neil is married to Barbara Cobane, M.S.W., who is also a graduate of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, as well as Wayne State University. Mr. O’Neil and Ms. Cobane have two sons, Patrick and Colin.

Legal Background.

Mr. O’Neil began his legal career in criminal defense in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, in 1982. His practice has focused on criminal defense ever since.

Today his practice is 99% criminal defense. Mr. O’Neil secures the best possible settlements for his clients, by having a reputation as a fierce trial litigator. Mr. O’Neil has tried jury cases from shoplifting to murder. Most of his practice lies in the Central Michigan Area, but he has defended people from Monroe County to Kalamazoo County and up to the Upper Peninsula.

Support System

Shari Beebe has been Mr. O’Neil’s secretary and right-hand person for the entire 28 years he has practiced in Mt. Pleasant. Additionally, Mr. O’Neil uses several private investigators when the need arises, and he also retains only the best forensic experts when the defense requires expert opinion.

Criminal Defense Practice

Since Mr. O'Neil started his criminal defense practice 28 years ago, the laws have changed dramatically, and for the most part, in the government's favor. The government has criminalized almost all behavior, and the penalties have increased, and the government has made it easier for the prosecution to secure a conviction. The government has also constantly tried to trample on the defendant's rights, including:

• The right to an attorney.
• Self incrimination.
• Miranda.
• Illegal search and seizures.

The criminal penalties no longer include just money and your freedom, but have expanded to include:

• Gun rights.
• Driving privileges.
• Property rights and ownership.
• Sexual registration.

Simply stated, it is foolish to fight the government without the most experienced criminal attorney available.

Mr. O'Neil has 28 years of experience and the trial experience, behind him, in order to secure you the best possible treatment. However, in order to secure the best possible settlement, the prosecution must know that the defense attorney will go all the way, to a jury trial. If the prosecution doubts that the attorney will proceed to trial, then the prosecutor knows the defense attorney is bluffing, and the defendant's negotiating position is substantially weakened. Mr. O'Neil has tried everything from shoplifting to murder. The prosecution across the state know he will go to trial.

During one armed robbery trial in Mt. Pleasant, Mr. O'Neil argued so hard for his client, the Judge threw him in jail for contempt of court. Mr. O'Neil was released the next morning at 6 a.m. and his client was found not guilty two days later.

Before you select an attorney, you should ask the following questions:

• Percentage of work devoted to criminal.
• Number of actual criminal jury trials.
• Number of jury trials relative to the specific charge.

Mr. O'Neil will not hesitate to hire the best support, including expert witnesses and private investigators.