The criminal justice system continues to struggle with what to do with juveniles who are convicted of a crime. Not so long ago, Michigan was among the state that allowed courts to sentence juveniles convicted of nonviolent drug offenses to life behind bars.The U.S....
The Sixth Amendment guarantees each of us access to a defense attorney if we are ever arrested or charged with a crime. Then in 1963, a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision found that this vital right holds true for everyone regardless of ability to pay.This gave rise...
These days, it seems like everything we do is being videotaped. Between the increase in security cameras on the streets and the smartphones in people’s pockets, there are few public and semi-public places in Michigan where you are not being filmed, or at least...
The Eighth Amendment to the Constitution states that when it comes to those imprisoned by the government, “Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.”This amendment is part of the Bill of...
For some in the law enforcement community, the Holy Grail would be a system that allows police to predict crimes and apprehend would-be criminals before those crimes are committed. This concept was popularized by the 2002 film Minority Report. While the methods used...
DNA analysis is a sophisticated (and usually accurate) tool for solving crimes; especially sex offenses, murders and other violent crimes. If police already have a suspect, any traces of DNA left at the crime scene can be analyzed and potentially matched to samples...
When it comes to money, corporations doing business in Michigan are aggressive about protecting what they feel belong to them. They often enlist law enforcement to pursue white collar charges against individuals, whether employees or customers, they believe stole from...
Police interrogation techniques have long been the focus of the national media and the microscope of whistle-blowers. This started back in the early 1900s when police were still using techniques known as the "third-degree," meaning that police were torturing suspects...
Michigan is known as the home state of many legendary musicians. From Mowtown and to Eminem, the Stooges and MC5, our state has a proud tradition of contributing to the American pop music scene.At the same time, many top music stars have found themselves in trouble...
The criminal justice system in Michigan grants people charged with a crime the presumption of innocence. The burden is on prosecutors to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty.This standard of proof is intended to keep people from going to jail...