Police officers and prosecutors will try just about anything that the law permits them to do charging individuals with crimes and convicting them in criminal court. In some situations, Michigan police departments and prosecutors rely on confidential informants....
What you need to know about Michigan’s driver points system
Traffic violations that you are accused of committing in Michigan come with fines and other ramifications. But it may go beyond this, as these violations will also cause you to accrue points on your record. Under the Michigan Vehicle Code, drivers get different point...
Michigan still allows the controversial civil forfeiture process
People tend to understand that the police can seize property when they are arresting someone for a crime. For example, if they pull someone over and find illegal drugs in their car, they can seize the drugs and the vehicle as evidence of that crime. But did you know...
What do civil asset forfeiture law changes mean for travelers?
Your property rights are among your most protected personal rights, but there are notable limits. For example, you do not have the right to retain property utilized in the commission of a crime or purchased with the proceeds of criminal activity, such personal...
Can police search my home without a warrant?
Your home is where you feel safe and where you store your private property. You have a reasonable expectation of privacy inside your own home whether you rent an apartment or own a house. You need to understand your rights while in your own home or risk someone...
What is the difference between a warrant and a summons?
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...
Is it legal for the police to lie to you during an interrogation?
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....
What is a keyword warrant?
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....
Law enforcement agencies use a sham investigative tool, report says
Since the early 1990s, criminal convictions nationwide have been based in part on an "outlandish mindreading tool" that has never been proven to deliver accurate results. In fact, studies have revealed that the tool is as effective as "flipping a coin." That's the...
Key facts about white collar criminal charges
Though white collar crimes do not usually involve physical harm, they are still quite dangerous and, therefore, are held very serious by the courts. If you face accusations of a white collar crime, you face criminal charges that may come with significant penalties. To...