Sometimes how you feel about an experience has everything to do with perspective
Welcome back and thanks for joining The Kronzek Firm for this informative and uplifting look at how jail time (or a prison sentence) can sometimes mean a new lease on life. As we mentioned in the previous article, being convicted of a crime is a terrible experience for anyone, and one that we recommend you avoid at all costs. The jail in Oakland County is just as bad as the one in Grand Rapids. The lockup in Detroit is as terrible as the one in Flint. Stay out of jail.
However, it’s completely possible to make stepping stones out of your stumbling blocks. To turn your hardships into lessons that make you stronger. And sometimes, simply to get lucky! Here’s a look at a few more people whose criminal convictions and time behind bars has changed their life for the better.
Daniel Manville: Attorney/Law Professor/Murderer
Manville and his brother settled a score with someone who they believed had stolen money and drugs from them. Manville administered chloroform to two people to knock them out, but one ended up dead, and Manville served three years in prison for manslaughter. However that time behind bars wasn’t wasted.
By the time he was released, Manville had two bachelor’s degrees and was pursuing a juris doctorate (which is the degree that lawyers get). Now, an accomplished civil rights lawyer in Detroit, Manville protects Michigan prisoners by suing the state on their behalf when their rights have been violated. He now teaches law at MSU and works tirelessly to reform Michigan’s prison system.
Jeff Henderson: Celebrity Chef/Drug Dealer
Henderson was always good in the kitchen. Problem was, back in his teenage years, what he was cooking wasn’t haute cuisine – it was cocaine. In his teen years, Henderson was a prolific cocaine manufacturer. But the cocaine cookery was cut short when one of his men was caught with a huge shipment. Henderson ended up serving 10 years in prison.
However, it was in the prison kitchen that he discovered his passion for food. After his release, Henderson worked in some of LA’s best restaurants before getting a job at Caesars Palace and earning numerous awards. Today he still makes a point of regularly sharing his experiences with at-risk youth to prove that the right choices can make all the difference in life!
Larry Lawton: Honorary Police Officer/Jewel Thief
Larry Lawton was once on the FBI’s most wanted list. A notorious jewel thief, Lawton made a name for himself because of his connections to organized crime, and numerous jewelry heists. He served 12 years in federal prison before being released. But it was during his time behind bars that Lawton’s life was changed. A friend of his committed suicide in prison and Lawton, in solitary confinement at the time, felt helpless to stop it. He vowed he would change his life at that moment, and he’s done just that.
Lawton created Lawton 911 & The Reality Check Program both designed to help at-risk youth avoid prison by educating them about what they’re up against in the prison system. He is also now an honorary police officer in the Lake St. Louis Police Department in Missouri, the first ex-con ever to receive this honor in the U.S.
Prison time doesn’t work out well for everyone, so get a great attorney!
Not everyone’s time behind bars is an uplifting experience. For every person whose life took a positive turn after jail, there are hundreds of others whose didn’t change at all. Or worse, things got harder for them after their release! Why? Because serving time behind bars is very tough. But the good news is, it’s often totally avoidable! How? By making sure that you have a highly skilled, aggressive and experienced defense attorney who can fight for you.
If you or a loved one have been arrested or charged with a crime in Michigan, whether it’s drug-related, a sex crime, or a financial crime, we are here for you. Call Michigan’s top criminal lawyers, The Kronzek Firm at 866 766 5245 (1 866 7NoJail) today and discuss your case with someone who can make a difference. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays, to help you during your time of need. We don’t judge you; we fight for you.