The fear of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) is having a dramatic effect on our legal system. Many counties in Michigan are adjourning jury trials until further notice. The criminal defendant who is fighting for their freedom is now faced with a challenging proposition: Will their freedom be compromised for the health…
The Coronavirus (COVID-19) is having a dramatic effect on the Michigan criminal justice system. Governor Whitmer has declared a state of emergency, and trial courts have implemented emergency measures. One such action the Michigan Supreme Court is Administrative Order No 2020-1 to advise trial lawyers and court participants to use…
Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) has struck fear across the United States. Despite limited reported cases, the concern has grown drastically due to social media and television outlets. The inconsistency of reports on COVID-19 had led to mass confusion in society and our criminal justice system. To gain insight into how the…
Original Case Details The United States Supreme Court has recently heard arguments regarding the case of United States v. Sineneng-Smith. Evelyn Sineneng-Smith challenged a law that makes it illegal to encourage or aid in someone’s illegal immigration. Ms. Sineneng-Smith was convicted under this law of bringing people to the United…
Original Case Details Back in November of 2015, a former pastor named Keith Wood was charged with jury tampering for handing out pamphlets that encourage jury nullification and deciding cases on feeling rather than law. Jury nullification occurs when a jury finds a defendant not guilty despite believing that the…
Original Case Details In late January of this year, a 72-year old man was taken into custody after he allegedly made threats against Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. The man allegedly left a threatening message on Benson’s voicemail and also made threats over the phone to someone in Benson’s office.…
Alleged Corruption At Detroit Police Department An ongoing investigation into the Detroit police department narcotics unit has turned up some serious problems within the unit. The investigation has looked into allegations of corruption and continues to investigate. The investigation has uncovered possible false affidavits that led to convictions. Because of…
News has recently broken that former University of Michigan doctor Robert Anderson has been accused of sexually abusing three men during his time at the university. The accusers have claimed that the university has allowed this type of abuse to go on for decades. Those making the allegations were athletes…
The debate is back on in the Michigan Legislature over whether to pass a law preventing local governments from banning breed-specific dogs. The main breed which has always been at issue is the pit bull. The way most people view the debate on breed-specific bans usually coincides with how they…
Michigan is known as a state that looks to statistics. Statistics or (stats) tell a story that often speaks louder than words. One stat is has led to a criminal justice task force is that the number of prisoners in county jails has tripled in the last 35 years, and…