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The Speedy Trial Factors: How COVID-19 is Affecting Jury Trials

The Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution provides that the criminal defendant is entitled to a speedy trial. Without this right, criminal defendants could be held indefinitely under a cloud of unproven criminal accusations. The right to a speedy trial also is crucial to ensuring that a criminal defendant…

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Former Macomb County Prosecutor Plea Delayed Due to COVID-19 Diagnosis

Original Case Details Our blog has covered the multiple corruption charges and cases relating to former Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith since its inception, and as of this writing, the federal case against him is still pending an official plea. Smith was originally arrested and charged with 10 different state…

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Michigan Governor Signs Historic Expungements Bill into Law

Expungements in Michigan Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer recently signed into law an expansion of the state expungement statute making more people eligible for expungement as well as making some expungements automatic. An expungement is a legal process where a court will remove one or more criminal convictions from your permanent…

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St. Clair County Judge Denies Adjournment of Jury Trials Amid Pandemic

Courts During the Pandemic Courthouses across the state of Michigan are slowly trying to phase in the remainder of regular courtroom activity. Courts have been reopening different departments as they follow social distancing guidelines and the reopening plan set by the State Court Administrators Office (SCAO). Courts will not truly…

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Study Shows Black Defendants Treated More Harshly in Washtenaw County

Social Justice Group Study A social justice group known as Citizens for Racial Equity in Washtenaw (CREW) County has found that black defendants in Washtenaw County are more likely to get harsher punishments and more likely to see additional criminal charges than similarly situated white defendants. CREW examined case data…

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In Person Jury Trials in Michigan Courts Resume Slowly

COVID-19 Court Closures The COVID-19 pandemic has obviously had its effects on pretty much everything in society today. Michigan courtrooms are no different; the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant effect on the operation of Michigan courtrooms. Most courtroom business is now conducted over Zoom, changing a historic tradition of…

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Mississippi Federal Judge Calls on Supreme Court to End Qualified Immunity

Qualified Immunity Generally Qualified Immunity is a legal doctrine that makes it extremely difficult to sue a police officer or his or her department for wrong and usually illegal conduct by their officers. Unless you are able to show that the government official in question violated a “clearly established” law,…

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