Last year voters in Grand Rapids, Michigan, passed an amendment to the city’s charter classifying simple marijuana use or possession as a civil infraction, not a crime. At the same time similar voter-driven initiatives happened elsewhere in the country. Two states, Colorado and Washington, legalized recreational use of the substance. But, as seems to be the trend with voter initiatives, once the law is passed, the litigation begins. Read the full post »
Grand Rapids Marijuana Law Gets Court Approval
Posted by Schmidt Law Services on May 13, 2013
http://schmidtlawservices.com/2013/05/13/grand-rapids-marijuana-law-gets-court-approval/
Can You Really Afford to Keep the House?
When you’re facing divorce, it is natural to want to hang on to as much of your old stuff as you can. It may feel like anything you don’t lay claim to, your spouse will get, and at that moment you probably don’t want your spouse to get anything. But once the Complaint is filed and the emotions have cooled just a little, you should take a serious look at your financial future. You might find that the best answer is simply to let go. Read the full post »
Posted by Schmidt Law Services on May 9, 2013
http://schmidtlawservices.com/2013/05/09/can-you-really-afford-to-keep-the-house/
Tough Questions: LGBT Divorce
Gay marriage is a popular topic these days. People on both sides are making aggressive arguments, but regardless of politics, one thing is true: Michigan does not allow same-sex marriages. But what about same-sex divorce? The answer, it turns out, is all in your genes. Read the full post »
Posted by Schmidt Law Services on May 6, 2013
http://schmidtlawservices.com/2013/05/06/tough-questions-lgbt-divorce/
Straight Talk on Students’ Rights: To Remain Silent
Earlier this month, Attorney Lisa J. Schmidt presented Straight Talk on Students’ Rights at the Ferndale Public Library. Previous posts have summarized students’ rights regarding free speech, freedom of religion, and search and seizure. But the interplay between criminal investigation and students’ rights deserves a closer look. Read the full post »
Posted by Schmidt Law Services on April 29, 2013
http://schmidtlawservices.com/2013/04/29/straight-talk-on-students-rights-to-remain-silent/
Straight Talk on Students’ Rights: Search & Seizure
Last week, Attorney Lisa J. Schmidt presented Straight Talk on Students’ Rights at the Ferndale Public Library. Previous posts covered free speech and freedom of religion. This post will address the how the 4th Amendment applies in public schools. Read the full post »
Posted by Schmidt Law Services on April 25, 2013
http://schmidtlawservices.com/2013/04/25/straight-talk-on-students-rights-search-seizure/
Straight Talk on Students’ Rights: Freedom of Religion
Recently Attorney Lisa J. Schmidt presented Straight Talk on Students’ Rights at the Ferndale Public Library. A previous post summarized students’ free speech rights. This post will review the question of freedom of religion in public schools. Read the full post »
Posted by Schmidt Law Services on April 22, 2013
http://schmidtlawservices.com/2013/04/22/straight-talk-on-students-rights-freedom-of-religion/
Straight Talk on Students’ Rights: Free Speech
Monday, April 15, 2013, Attorney Lisa Schmidt presented Straight Talk on Students’ Rights at the Ferndale Public Library. This first of a 4 part series on the talk will cover Students’ Free Speech rights in public schools. Read the full post »
Posted by Schmidt Law Services on April 18, 2013
http://schmidtlawservices.com/2013/04/18/straight-talk-on-students-rights-free-speech/
5 Tips on the Revocation of Paternity Act
In June 2012, the Michigan Legislature passed the Revocation of Paternity Act. In the 10 months since its passage, the courts have begun to demonstrate preferences. Here are 5 things you should know before filing the action: Read the full post »
Posted by Schmidt Law Services on April 15, 2013
http://schmidtlawservices.com/2013/04/15/5-tips-on-the-revocation-of-paternity-act/
Shoplifting Just Got Serious
The Michigan legislature has decided to crack down on what it sees as a major criminal threat: organized retail crime, also known as shoplifting. In an attempt to stop the “negative impact of persons who engage in planned, organized, and methodical theft of retail merchandise for resale in unregulated retail commerce,” the legislature has passed a new law that raises the maximum penalty of such crimes from 93 days in jail to 5 years in state prison.
Posted by Schmidt Law Services on April 11, 2013
http://schmidtlawservices.com/2013/04/11/shoplifting-just-got-serious/
Drug Dogs at Your Door? Not Anymore.
The United States Supreme Court has ruled that drug dogs can be used to sniff cars, parcels, and luggage without a warrant. Courts have even upheld suspicion-less sniffs of entire student populations. But what if that drug dog comes onto a person’s front porch? Read the full post »
Posted by Schmidt Law Services on April 8, 2013
http://schmidtlawservices.com/2013/04/08/drug-dogs-at-your-door-not-anymore/
