Criminal Defense & Appeals,
Federal District Court and all Michigan Circuit Court criminal cases
Experienced & Aggressive practitioner in appellate, federal and state criminal defense matters with emphasis on appeals, motion practice, plea negotiations, sentencing mitigation and trial practice
Trial & Appeal Wins & Victories
United States v. Dunn, 6th Cir. No. 24-1724 (Aug 2025); SENTENCE REDUCED
People v. F....son, Oakland County Circuit Court (March 2025); CSC1 reduced to PROBATION
People v. Ortega, Michigan Court of Appeals (January 2025); REMANDED FOR IAC
People v. Broaden (Wayne County 2025); 6500 Motion, Prosecution CONFESSED ERROR
People v. Timothy John Otto, 348 Mich App 221 (2023); Conviction VACATED/RELEASED
United States v. Thompkins, 2022 WL 3151810 (6th Cir. 2022); GUN SENTENCE REVERSED
United States v. William Jackson, 18-20373, E.D.M. (2019); ACQUITTAL GRANTED/DISMISSED
United States v. Aaron Salter, 18 U.S.C. 2254/Wayne CIU (2019); Murder conviction VACATED
United States v. Wesley, 409 F.3d 315 (6th Cir. 2005); Guilty Verdict REVERSED
United States v. Gregory Jordan, 20 Fed. Appx. 319 (6th Cir. 2001); Sentence VACATED
United States v. Kevin Link, 194 F.3d 13154 (6th Cir. 1999); Drug Conviction REVERSED
United States v. Reginald Coleman, 188 F.3d 354 (6th Cir. 1999); Sentence REVERSED EN BANC
United States v. Sadie Mae Twitty, 44 F.3d 410 (6th Cir. 1995); Conviction REVERSED
United States v. Lee Erwin Johnson, 22 F.3d 674 (6th Cir. 1994); Firearm Conviction REVERSED
United States v. Newcomb, 6 F.3d 1129 (6th Cir. 1993); Guilty Verdict REVERSED
Bar & Legal Associations
Michigan State Bar Association P-38101
Michigan State Bar, Appellate & Criminal Law sections
State Appellate Defender Office (SADO) member
Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan (CDAM)
U.S. Court of Appeals for Sixth Circuit, panel member
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL)
Recent Client Review!
"Dear Jonathan,
I am writing to you today on the twentieth anniversary of my conviction of three counts of possession of a destructive device in federal Court... I am writing to let you know that I am still filled with gratitude for your skillful defense which led to Judge Edmonds sentencing me to probation instead of incarceration. I know there was a lot of pressure from the highest levels for her to sentence me at the guideline's maximum recommended sentence. Much has changed in my life since then. I continued working as a registered nurse in the ER and Critical Care and cared for my family. My children have grown. I have grown… My gratitude for the opportunity to raise my children, help others, and help myself is beyond any words I could use to express. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Sincerely,
David"
In a Federal 18 U.S.C. 2254 actual innocence case, Mr. Aaron Salter was released from a life sentence following a reversal of his wrongful conviction. Jonathan and his team won Mr. Salter's release from custody and remain good friends. Aaron said "thanks for your love and support." Today, his organization Innocence Maintained's motto is "better not bitter."
Career & Experience
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Jonathan M. Epstein, PLLC
Private criminal defense practice at 30445 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 225 Farmington Hills, MI 48334
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Federal Defender Office, Detroit, MI
Represented appointed clients in the U.S. District Court for Eastern District of Michigan, D.C. District Court and the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.
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Private Practice, Evans & Luptak, Detroit, MI
Associate litigation attorney in commercial, civil litigation and white collar criminal defense principally in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb County Circuits and U.S. District Court.
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Michigan Court of Appeals, Judicial Clerk
Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable Mark J. Cavanagh, Visiting Judges Unit and Research Attorney, Pre-Hearing Unit.
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