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. (more…)
All posts in category Criminal Defense
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/
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. (more…)
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. (more…)
Posted by Schmidt Law Services on April 25, 2013
http://schmidtlawservices.com/2013/04/25/straight-talk-on-students-rights-search-seizure/
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? (more…)
Posted by Schmidt Law Services on April 8, 2013
http://schmidtlawservices.com/2013/04/08/drug-dogs-at-your-door-not-anymore/
Michigan Law-Makers Back Down on Sex Offender Registry
The Michigan Sex Offender Registry Act (SORA) has been controversial since it went into effect in 1995. Proponents emphasize its value for public safety while opponents raise concerns over the severe penalties and social stigma placed on registered sex offenders. Now, for the second time in two years, the legislature has passed a bill that softens the law for low-severity offenders.
(more…)
Posted by Schmidt Law Services on April 1, 2013
http://schmidtlawservices.com/2013/04/01/michigan-law-makers-back-down-on-sex-offender-registry-2/
What’s the Big Deal About Students’ Rights?
If you live in Oakland County, Michigan, you may have noticed the local ACLU making a big deal about students’ rights lately. On February 18, 2013 they screened a video called the War on Kids. Then on February 27, 2013, they partnered with the University of Detroit Mercy Law School’s Youth Justice Clinic to present a discussion on the School to Prison Pipeline.
So what’s the big deal? The problem is that student suspensions and expulsions are going up at alarming rates, and more often a school violation is turning criminal. Police are getting involved in incidents that a generation ago would have been handled through detentions or other in-school disciplinary procedures. (more…)
Posted by Schmidt Law Services on March 4, 2013
http://schmidtlawservices.com/2013/03/04/whats-the-big-deal-about-students-rights/
LISA SCHMIDT OF SCHMIDT LAW SERVICES CONTINUES HER FOUR-PART SERIES OF LECTURES WITH STRAIGHT TALK ON SEARCH AND SEIZURE
* November 19th lecture in Ferndale on Search and Seizure may challenge what people commonly hold as truth
Posted by Schmidt Law Services on November 7, 2012
http://schmidtlawservices.com/2012/11/07/lisa-schmidt-of-schmidt-law-services-continues-her-four-part-series-of-lectures-with-straight-talk-on-search-and-seizure/
“I Can’t Pay Child Support, That’s Impossible!” Michigan’s Highest Court Says Maybe Not.
Think it’s impossible for you to make your child or spousal support payments? You might be surprised just what lengths the Michigan Supreme Court wants you to go to before you give up. (more…)
Posted by Schmidt Law Services on August 29, 2012
http://schmidtlawservices.com/2012/08/29/i-cant-pay-child-support-thats-impossible-michigans-highest-court-says-maybe-not/
US Supreme Court Says No to Mandatory Life Without Parole for Juvenile Offenders
On June 25, 2012, the United States Supreme Court ruled that mandatory “life without parole” sentencing for juvenile offenders was cruel and unusual punishment and unconstitutional under the 8th Amendment. Groups on both sides were quick to respond. The ACLU sent out a call to action for state legislatures to revise sentencing procedures, while the National Organization of Victims of Juvenile Lifers (NOVJL) raised concerns about the effect of the ruling on the victims of those offenders. So what is the real effect of Miller v. Alabama on Michigan law? (more…)
Posted by Schmidt Law Services on July 12, 2012
http://schmidtlawservices.com/2012/07/12/us-supreme-court-says-no-to-mandatory-life-without-parole-for-juvenile-offenders/
