Blog Category | Michigan laws
Michigan has legalized medical and recreational marijuana use. This means that possession of marijuana is not considered illegal and may not result in imprisonment. Legalization also means the entrepreneurial and business avenues for selling marijuana have increased exponentially. The resulting “green rush” however has left the state in a precarious...
Gun laws in Michigan are highly technical. The tiniest little nuance of exactly where a gun is or how it’s being carried will make the difference between the situation being legal or illegal. If you’ve been charged with having an illegally concealed weapon, what are your potential consequences, and how...
Our Response to the Wrongful Conviction of Herbert Alford Attorney James White is representing Herbert Alford in a case that is making national headlines. What’s the backstory? In 2018, Alford was wrongly convicted of a second-degree murder that occurred in 2011. The shooting death of Michael Adams occurred in a...
How are They Defined? “DUI” stands for driving under the influence of alcohol or some other substance. “DWI” stands for Driving While Intoxicated. In Michigan, this charge is known as “Operating While Intoxicated,” and you will be charged with this crime if you are found to have a blood alcohol...
In light of the tragedy at Oxford High School, many are debating whether parents can be held criminally responsible for their child’s actions. In the case of Ethan Crumbley’s parents, prosecutors say they should. Here’s what you should know. November 30, 2021 Ethan Crumbley, a 15-year-old student at Oxford High...
Expungement allows a person charged with a crime to get a clean slate. However, Michigan is changing the expunction process which could affect many people in the criminal justice system. Keep reading for more information. What Is Expungement? Expungement is a process by which a person convicted of a crime...
Personal Injury Claims Due to Police Misconduct May Increase. We Can Help You File. On May 25th, 2020, an innocent African American man was murdered at the hands of a police officer, while three other officers stood and watched. His name was George Floyd. As a result, thousands of people...
Why You Should Slow Down in Construction Zones When road workers are doing their jobs, motorists must do theirs by driving extra carefully. The State of Michigan is cracking down on distracted drivers and speeders in construction zones because such behaviors have resulted in workers’ injuries and deaths. The laws...
On September 21, 2016, the Legislature and Governor gave some much needed guidance to medical marijuana caregivers and patients in Michigan. Governor Rick Snyder signed the “Medical Marijuana Facilities Licensing Act” into law. The Act will become effective December 20, 2016. The Licensing Act does exactly what its name suggests:...
Proposed legislation in Michigan seeks to reform the way juvenile offenders are treated under state law. Some of the proposed changes include raising the age to be considered as a juvenile from 17 to 18 years old and not housing juvenile offenders with adults. We’re Experienced. We Care.We Exceed Client...
Being convicted of multiple moving violations or for driving under the influence (DUI) in Michigan will likely result in the temporary loss of your driver’s license. As important as it may be to do all you can to prevent this suspension or revocation in the first place, it may be...
As the new semester begins and football season approaches, MSU students are indulging in beer pong, tailgating and the East Lansing bar scene - whether underage or not. Yet, everyone knows this is a generally accepted part of being a college. In fact, in 2013 alone, 8.7 million underage individuals...
In Michigan, legislation reducing penalties for minors caught with alcohol is one of the bills signed by Gov. Rick Snyder and Lt. Gov. Brian Calley in December. Senate Bills 332 and 333 – sponsored by state Sen. Rick Jones (R-Grand Ledge) – decreases first-time violations of the minor in possession...
The Michigan Supreme Court will no longer allow date of birth and other personal information to be part of publicly accessible records. Community members are concerned that this change will influence the employment process – here’s what you should know. January 1, 2022 For most employers across the U.S., background...
Michigan legislators have passed the “Raise the Age” bill. Here’s what you should know. Aging Up This historic bill will raise the age limit for the adult criminal justice system. Previously, 17 year olds convicted of a crime would be tried as adults and could face prison time or worse....
As summer winds down and students head back to school this fall, East Lansing and surrounding areas can expect crowded bars and a lively night life. Of course, if alcohol consumption figures into your plans for the night, transportation to and from bars, clubs or restaurants is vitally important to...
The Michigan Secretary of State office released an update that they will stop releasing driving records for victims of violence to the news media. Here is what you should know. Media Secretary Jocelyn Benson’s office has announced that it will cease giving news outlets reports of driving records for victims...
In light of the Oxford school shooting, Michigan lawmakers are evaluating gun laws and debating whether to expand them. Here’s what you should know. Current Gun Regulations In MI, gun owners must follow several regulations regarding gun safety, licensing, registration, and use. To purchase a handgun, gun owners must obtain...
Michigan legislators are moving forward today with attempts to repeal multiple state laws that are viewed as outdated and strange. Some of the proposed changes include repealing: A law outlawing swearing in the presence of women and children. This is currently considered a misdemeanor, and violators of the law face...
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed a new law to expand the public’s access to the state’s child abuse registry. Keep reading for more information. The Child Abuse Registry In Michigan, those convicted of child abuse are added to a statewide registry that is accessible to law enforcement and the...
The Michigan Supreme Court has agreed to take a second look at a bill that allows the court to collect money from poor criminal defendants. Here’s what you should know. Money, Money, Money Courts are permitted to charge lower-class offenders to pay for court fees and other overhead costs. It...
The Ingham County 30th Circuit Court offers Mental Health Court as an alternative to the typical criminal justice system. The goal of Mental Health Court, like other specialty court programs, is to try and address the root cause of a particular defendant’s behavior, as opposed to simply punishing them to...
While underage drinking in Michigan can result in serious consequences for a minor charged with an offense, there are certain situations that call for help regardless of the threat of legal consequences. If you or your friend consumes too much alcohol and needs medical attention, getting the necessary help is...
Grooming – the act of cultivating behavior to exploit a child. While the term has only recently entered the public lexicon, it has been an undercurrent of many criminal cases over the years. However, is grooming a crime? Grooming Defined Grooming or child grooming is the act of deliberately establishing...
For those of us who have been driving for years, operating a vehicle is almost like breathing. It’s easy to get distracted during your commute, but can distractions be a crime? What Counts as Distracted Driving? According to the Michigan State Police, there are three types of distraction: Visual Manual...
Every year, Michigan lawmakers draft, critique, and vote on important policies that affect citizens. This year, many of the bills are focused on civil justice and societal reforms. Funding for Michigan Police A large sect of Republican lawmakers is pushing for an $80 million increase for law enforcement statewide. The...
Your Fight Is Our Fight Call Now Available 24/7 517-316-1195 Can You Transport Marijuana? If you are over the age of 21, you can transport 2.5 ounces or less of marijuana. Even though you can transport marijuana, you are still prohibited from ingesting the substance before operating any type of...
DUI (“driving under influence”) laws have become increasingly strict. Since the ‘90s, organizations like Mothers Against Drunk Driving started shining a bright light on drunk driving across the country, and it has since become a serious crime everywhere. These days, the crime is not strictly confined to alcohol use. “Driving...
Domestic violence is a serious charge, and the effect it has on your life can be enormous. Immediately, it can lead to fines or incarceration. It affects your criminal record, which impacts your ability to get work. In a divorce, domestic violence accusations may change the entire outcome. What Is...
In case you missed it: Michigan’s gun licensing laws are changing. The new rules take effect today. We’re Experienced. We Care.We Exceed Client Expectations. Call Now Available 24/7 517-316-1195
Misdemeanors are serious charges. When you’ve been accused of a misdemeanor crime, it can impact your life heavily. If you’ve been charged with such a crime, you should seek the services of a skilled criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible. What Is a Misdemeanor? In the U.S., misdemeanors are...
If you’ve been pulled over for driving under the influence, you could face some severe penalties. However, it’s important to remember that while you can defend yourself if the case goes to court, it’s best to consult a lawyer. DUIs in Michigan In Michigan, DUIs are called OWIs, operating while...
When you drive, you put the well-being of yourself, your passengers, and other drivers first. You do not take unnecessary risks, and you keep your attention and focus where it belongs: on the road. Unfortunately, this cannot be said of everyone. What Is Distracted Driving? There are people who do...
The U.S. may soon offer reciprocity among states for concealed carry permits. Find out about the requirements for a Concealed Pistol License in Michigan.Over the course of the presidential election season there were a number of well-spirited debates about citizens and their gun rights. Now that president-elect Trump, a gun...
With the growing prevalence of technology and social media platforms connecting teenagers, a new arena has arisen for the spread of harmful material. Like many states, Michigan criminalizes the possession, creation, and dissemination of sexually explicit material to or involving minors under the age of 18. Keep reading today’s blog...
This Fun Fact Has Not-So-Fun Consequences You may be surprised to learn that it’s illegal to be drunk on a train in Michigan. This law was passed in 1913 yet it remains in effect today. The law specifically states: “No person shall while in an offensive state of intoxication enter...
As the days get shorter and the weather gets colder, that means one thing: it’s hunting season. While it’s a tradition to go out and spend time hunting with family or friends, it’s important to take the proper safety measures to avoid violating the law. Below are several tips to...
If you answer the phone and hear a recorded message instead of a live person, it’s a robocall. If you’re getting a lot of robocalls trying to sell you something, odds are the calls are illegal. Many are also probably scams. Here’s what you need to know about robocalls and...
What to Do if Charged with Marijuana-Related DUI in Michigan Over the past few years, marijuana laws have been changing all over the country, and ten states, including Michigan, have now legalized recreational marijuana for adults. For this reason, states that have legalized pot face an interesting dilemma: What is...
