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   In celebration of Independence Day, on July 3, 2014 the Law Office of Barton Morris organized a public reading of the Declaration of Independence in front of the Spirit of Detroit Monument in downtown Detroit. 10 criminal defense attorneys took turns reading portions of the writing that signifies the independence of the United States of America in in 1776, shortly after the revolutionary war began. The event was a [...]

OxyContin® is a semi-synthetic brand name pharmceutical drug and commonly prescribed analgesic (pain reliever) that is made from the natural drug morphine. While this may come as a shock, users of OxyContin® can attest to its powerful effects on relieving all severities of pain. In addition to the painkiller characteristic, OxyContin® can affect ones mood. Many users report a euphoric state of mind, accompanied by reduced anxiety. This pill appeals to not [...]

On July 3rd, 2014 Barton Morris will bringing a tradition to the Metro Detroit area. For years, attorneys have gathered around the country to recite the words written by our founding fathers, the Declaration of Independence. The event was created by a group of Criminal Defense attorneys in Texas with the hope of reminding all about the importance of the Declaration. This year, Mr. Morris has taken the lead to [...]

HOW TO DEAL WITH PROBATION Probation is the most common program used by criminal judges to rehabilitate an individual convicted of a crime. In fact it is the most used program in the criminal justice system. Probation is also called community supervision and roughly one in every 45 people in the United States is under some form of probation. Federal, state and municipal judges across the country use probation as a [...]

The EtG test, properly known as Ethyl Glucuronide is a metabolite produced from drinking alcohol and is used to detect alcohol levels in urine.  It is being used by courts and probation departments as a way of testing if people are drinking.  The EtG has earned a bit of a reputation regarding its validity in being both reliable if not a bit inconsistent depending on which side of the fence [...]

In an overwhelming and emotional 219 to 189 vote, the House of Representatives approved an amendment that will stop medical marijuana raids.  The new law puts an end to federal interference with state laws that authorize the use, distribution, possession, or cultivation of medical marijuana. Specifically, the law prohibits the Department of Justice (DOJ), which includes the DEA from spending any funds on the arrest, raids, and prosecutions of state authorized [...]

Methamphetamine has increasingly, and unfortunately, become a household name. With popular shows such as “Breaking Bad” showcasing its life altering effects, Meth’s pop-culture status seems to be unavoidable. Behind these depictions lies the true danger posed by meth.  History of Methamphetamine Methamphetamines were first used in great quantities by soldiers during times of war. The “rush” provided by the drug could keep soldiers alert for hours during tough battles. A [...]

Cocaine is a central nervous stimulant drug made from the coco leaf primarily made in Columbia, Peru and Bolivia. The cocaine extraction process is complex and involves heating then cooling the leaves. Alcohol is then added and distilled off to create the most pure alkaloid form. U.S. pharmaceutical companies use cocaine for legal medicinal use as a topical anaesthetic. Most cocaine is produced for illegal use. Cocaine is usually exported [...]

A gas chromatopraph (GC) is the most widely used chemical analysis tool used in the world. It can take a substance and separate the different things (analytes) it contains which allows a second instrument to identify and measure the analyze (the thing being measured). The GC is a must have in every scientific laboratory. The Michigan State Police Forensic Science Department (MSP-FSD) is the scientific crime laboratory primarily responsible for [...]

Imagine walking outdoors on a beautiful summer afternoon. While you’re enjoying the sights, you notice a car driving down the road and something catches your eye. Something does not seem to be right. The car may be going too fast or too slow. Perhaps it swerved a bit. Whatever it may be, the car is moving erratically, if only for a moment. You decide to call 911 on your cell [...]