DUI is a term many of us have heard before, and also something we all fear. Driving under the influence is dangerous for the driver and for all others on the road. Due to the seriousness of a DUI, Michigan places very severe penalties to discourage people to drive while intoxicated.…
Movies, television shows, and books portray public defenders as second-class attorneys that are incompetent while private attorneys only care about making money and do not put their clients first. Both of these classifications of attorneys portrayed in entertainment are false. While there is a difference between public defenders and private attorneys,…
It is very common for someone accused of a crime to seek an adjournment of their trial. There are many reasons why someone would want an adjournment, including: the desire to retain new counsel; the need to obtain additional discovery; the need for additional preparation; the unavailability of witnesses on the…
The 52/2 District Court (which is also referred to as the Clarkston District Court) is located at 5850 Lorac in the city of Clarkston, Michigan. The jurisdiction of the 52/2 District Court covers the following communities: Brandon Township; Holly Township; Groveland Township; Independence Township; Rose Township; Springfield Township; White Lake Township; Clarkston; Village of Holly; Village…
The 52/3 District Court (which is also referred to as the Rochester Hills District Court) is located at 700 Barclay Circle in the city of Rochester Hills, Michigan. The jurisdiction of the 52/3 District Court covers the following communities: Addison Township; Auburn Hills; Lake Angelus; Oakland Township; Orion Township; Oxford Township; Rochester; Rochester Hills; Village of Lake Orion;…
The 52/4 District Court (which is also referred to as the Troy District Court) is located at 520 W. Big Beaver Road in the city of Troy, Michigan. The jurisdiction of the 52/4 District Court covers the cities of Troy and Clawson. The two presiding Judges are the Honorable Kirsten Nielsen Hartig…
Typically when a confession is being contested in a criminal case the Defendant’s lawyer will file a motion with the Court assigned to the case and request an evidentiary hearing pursuant to People v Walker, 374 Mich 331 (1965). The hearing considers the totality of the circumstances surrounding the statement made.…
The Fourth Amendment to the United States and Michigan Constitutions, Michigan Statutory law, and case law govern the use and legality of search warrants in Michigan for State court proceedings. The 4th Amendment to the United States Constitution provides for “[t]he right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects,…
The prosecution in Michigan generally does not have to present every witness at trial, but must produce enough evidence on every element of the charged offense to withstand a motion for directed verdict at the conclusion of the prosecution’s case. Michigan Court Rule 6.419 provides that “after the prosecutor has…
Below is a list of traffic tickets which need to be addressed at the 52/2 District Court in Clarkson, Michigan when the traffic offense occurs in one of the following communities: Brandon Township; Holly Township; Groveland Township; Independence Township; Rose Township; Springfield Township; White Lake Township; Clarkson; Village of Holly; Village of Ortonville. The 52/2 District Court is located…