Michigan is a leader in the rise of alternative drug courts in the United States. These courts give people struggling with drug addiction the chance to avoid jail or prison and get help for their health problem. But do they really work? First, let's briefly discuss...
What does it mean to truly know what another person is thinking? Philosophy aside, both Michigan and federal law make it a crime to intend to sell or distribute a controlled substance like methamphetamine or a legal drug like fentanyl if you are not a licensed...
Individuals facing the criminal justice system often feel confused and intimidated by the entire process. With numerous layers of complexity and an unending stream of documents, it is easy for people to lose focus. In many instances, it is wise to gain a clear...
Growing up, most of our parents, teachers and other role models told us not to lie. We try our best to be as honest as possible in our daily lives. But police officers in Kalamazoo and members of the Michigan State Police are not always honest with criminal suspects....
A variety of warrants exist to facilitate specific searches as part of overall investigations by law enforcement officials. However, the seemingly innocent act of entering a topic into a search bar could result in unwanted attention from those powerful authorities....
For years, rumors have floated around the Kalamazoo area about ways to "beat" a DUI breath test. That is, if a police officer or sheriff's deputy pulls you over and asks you to blow into their roadside breath test device, there are supposedly ways you can hide a high...
The next time you read a news report that says Officer XYZ from a police department found Person ABC in possession of illegal drugs, think of Deputy Zachary Wester and remember that things are not always what they appear to be. A few days ago, former Jackson County...
A piece of evidence presented at a criminal trial does one of two things: help establish the defendant's guilt or help create a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty. There are many types of evidence that the judge can allow the prosecutor or defense attorney...
People throughout Michigan, including here in Portage, rely on prescription medications to treat the symptoms of chronic health conditions. Without their medication, they could experience terrible pain or other debilitating symptoms. Their lives could be in danger. So...
When you get behind the wheel after a night out or a get together with friends, you might realize that those drinks you had are still in your system and impacting you much more than you think. So, you decide to sleep it off in your vehicle. But could you still be...
