Imagine you have done nothing wrong but for a minor moving violation. You have not been drinking. You have not consumed any prescription or illegal drugs. You tell the officer the truth. But then you are arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence. This was the very unfortunate circumstance…
Michigan Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog
Where May I Carry My Concealed Weapon in Michigan?
If you have a concealed pistol license in Michigan, then you are free to carry your concealed weapon throughout the state. This means you can carry a gun with you while driving on streets or freeways, including rest areas, while shopping, eating at certain restaurants while walking in fairs and…
How to Obtain a Concealed Pistol License in Michigan
On July 1, 2001, Michigan’s new concealed carry law went into effect. With this new law, Michigan effectively became a “shall issue” state, meaning everyone not otherwise excluded by law is entitled to obtain a license allowing them to carry a concealed weapon. To obtain a concealed pistol license or…
Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Throws out .20 Breath Test on Felony Drunk Driving
An Oakland County Circuit Court Judge recently suppressed a DataMaster .20 evidentiary breath test result on a felony drunk driving case. The judge suppressed the breath test because the police officer who administered the test failed to follow the laws and rules intended to assure that breath tests are reliable. …
Should I Refuse the Field Sobriety Tests?
If you are stopped and the police smell alcohol or marijuana, then there’s a good chance you will be asked to step out of the car to perform field sobriety tests. If you fail one or more of these tests, then you will probably be arrested for OWI, or Operating…
Repeat Drunk Drivers in Barry County, Michigan Get Minimum 30 days in Jail
A Barry County Judge has indicated that he’s going to start cracking down on repeat drunk drivers by giving them a minimum of 30 days in jail. Judge Michael Shipper was appointed by Governor Snyder in 2011 and is already tough on first-time offenders. Now he says he’s ready to be…
Trump Vows Possible Crack Down on Recreational Marijuana Use
Sean Spicer, Trump’s press secretary, stated recently Trump’s AG Jeff Sessions will do more to enforce federal marijuana laws. He particularly has his eyes on recreational use. This appears to be a significant change from the AG and the DOJ under former President Obama. Specifically, Spicer said that Trump would…
Michigan Marijuana Patients and Dispensaries Must Closely Adhere to Existing Law
Because Marijuana remains an illegal schedule one drug in Michigan, any patient or caregiver who does not closely comply with the Medical Medical Marijuana Act (MMMA) risks being charged and prosecuted as an ordinary illegal drug user or illegal drug dealer. A new Michigan case entitled People v. Lewis, involves…
Trump Plan Would Place Lansing Toxicology Lab Under Federal Control
President Trump’s Department of Justice has proposed a new Office of Forensic Science and Forensic Science Board within the DOJ. This new board would have governing authority over all of Michigan’s forensic labs, including the Toxicology lab located in Lansing. Nearly all drivers arrested for intoxicated driving and subjected to…
I Was Arrested for Drunk Driving, Should I go to AA?
If you were arrested for drunk driving in Michigan, then you should talk to your lawyer about whether starting with a structured 12-step program such Alcoholics Anonymous, or AA, may help your case. While clearly the best known, AA is not the only 12-step program, and it may not be…