Michigan drivers may have heard about field sobriety testing, but they may not know what this testing actually entails or what officers are looking for. The Standardized Field Sobriety Test is a combination of three different standardized tests that can be used to give an officer probable cause for arrest. The three tests include the horizontal gaze nystagmus, or HGN, the one-leg stand and the walk-and-turn.
Plea deals and how they affect those charged with crimes
Everyone has seen district attorneys offer 'plea deals' to fictional defendants on television, but people not on these shows often have to experience the situation first hand to understand everything these deals involve. From watching these shows, it'd be easy to believe that almost all cases went to trial, but in reality, only 4 percent of all state cases end up in front of a jury. This doesn't mean that those accused of crimes in Michigan, however, should plead out. It's first important to understand all of one's options.
Alleged wrong-way driver faces new drug charges in Michigan
A Grand Rapids woman who allegedly caused a serious car crash by driving the wrong way on US-131 in August now faces additional drug charges in connection with a minor car accident she was involved in earlier the same day. She was already charged with reckless driving causing serious impairment and driving with a suspended license causing injury stemming from the wrong-way accident.
Driver detained under Michigan's "super drunk" law
Authorities say a 26-year-old male driver was highly intoxicated when he struck a power pole and then left the accident scene on Nov. 4. The man from Elmwood Township was taken into custody after a witness provided a description of his vehicle to sheriff's deputies. The driver was charged with having a blood alcohol content in excess of .17 percent at the time of the accident, which, under Michigan's DUI law, exposes him to harsher penalties if convicted on the charge.
Michigan criminal sexual conduct
In Michigan, the law provides that a number of different types of conduct can lead to a person's conviction for fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct. Although a misdemeanor, a conviction can result in the person's being placed on the sex offender registry in addition to possible incarceration and other consequences.
4 Philadelphia men charged in Michigan jewelry heists
Law enforcement authorities announced that three more Philadelphia men were taken into custody and charged in connection with jewelry store robberies that occurred in Michigan on April 22. A fourth man was previously incarcerated and is in Michigan custody awaiting trial on the charges.
Michigan driver on tractor mower faces drunk driving charges
A Michigan man was taken into police custody and charged with driving while intoxicated at approximately 9 p.m. on Oct. 25. The 36-year-old Lawton resident was riding a John Deere lawnmower and headed north on CR 657 at the time of his arrest. He was apprehended near 60th Avenue, and authorities report that his lawn mower was pulling a trailer and had self-attached headlights. Depending on the year of manufacture, tractors on Michigan roads must have proper headlights and break lights installed.
