Blog | Michigan Federal Attorney

EVER BEEN ARRESTED? YOUR MUGSHOT AND PERSONAL INFORMATION MAY BE ONLINE: THE MUG SHOT RACKET

admin2016-11-16T13:37:54+00:00May 21st, 2013|

More than 13 million arrests are made each year by law enforcement in the United States. A majority of those arrests are alcohol and drug related driving and possession offenses. People who are arrested by the police have a picture taken of them, which is customarily called a “Mug Shot”. The mug shot becomes a part of the arrest record along with an arrest card and fingerprints. These photographs have [...]

Barton Morris Presents at Genessee County Criminal Law Seminar

admin2016-11-16T13:37:54+00:00May 7th, 2013|

On Friday May 3, 2012 Barton Morris, as part of the Michigan Association of OWI Attorneys (MIAOWIA) Faculty participated in the Trial Skills Course on the second day of the Genessee County Bar Association Criminal Law Seminar. The event was held at the Riverfront Banquet Center in downtown Flint, Michigan. The MIAOWIA panel of attorneys included East Lansing OWI attorney Michael Nichols, Associate Professor Dr. Andreas Stolz of Michigan State [...]

The Facts About Earwax and Hash – Super Concentrated Marijuana, Its Legality and Safety

admin2016-11-16T13:37:55+00:00April 29th, 2013|

The active ingredient in marijuana is tetrahydrocannabinol otherwise widely known as THC. That is the stuff that gets a user high and provides a medicinal benefit to many which is why Michigan and 18 other states have legalized it in 2008. With the medical marijuana explosion in Michigan has come the increased production, distribution and use of super concentrated THC commonly known as hash, hash oil, or earwax (that is [...]

DUI Arrests Do Not Discriminate

admin2016-11-16T13:37:55+00:00April 24th, 2013|

On Friday, April 19, 2013, NBC Sports announcer Al Michaels was arrested and charged with DUI. His bodily alcohol content was reportedly at .08. Michaels has been broadcasting sports for over 30 years at ABC Sports before moving to NBC, and his face and voice are well-known to any sports fan. He is 68 years old and one of the last people whom you might think would commit a misdemeanor [...]

Passing a Marijuana Joint to Another is a Felony in Michigan but for How Long?

admin2016-11-16T13:37:55+00:00April 15th, 2013|

When someone passed you a joint at a Kid Rock concert at Pine Knob and you inhaled it, or not, then passed it to another did you realize you committed a felony? It is in Michigan where delivery of a drug to another is illegal and it does not matter whether it was for a profit. Specifically, Michigan law forbids the knowing delivery of any controlled substance to another. [...]

AFTER BEING ACQUTTED OF MURDER IN ITALY WHY MUST AMANDA KNOX FACE TRIAL ON THE SAME CHARGE AGAIN?

admin2016-11-16T13:37:59+00:00April 8th, 2013|

In 2007 Meredith Kercher was found dead in the bedroom of her home in Perugia, Italy with her throat slit. Amanda Knox, originally from Seattle, Washington rented the house with Meredith and was her roommate. Amanda and her Italian boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito, were charged with the murder. They were both tried and convicted in 2009. Knox was sentenced to 26 years in prison. She had served four years in prison [...]

DETROIT ONE OF NINE CITIES TARGETED FOR FEDERAL MEDICARE FRAUD INVESTIGATIONS AND PROSECUTIONS.

admin2016-11-16T13:37:59+00:00March 25th, 2013|

Health Care is one of the most talked about, political and controversial topics on the minds of Americans today. From Obamacare to private insurer influence in congress, it is a huge societal issue. Many believe that health care is the most important issue this county faces today. The seemingly continually rising costs of health care make the issue increasingly relevant and concerning. Medicare is the federal government’s public health care [...]

Detroit’s Federal Court has High and Effective Pre-Trial Release Rates

admin2016-11-16T13:37:59+00:00March 16th, 2013|

A person charged and indicted with a criminal offense in Federal Court will have a magistrate judge make a decision on pre-trial release. In the Eastern District of Michigan it will either be a release on personal recognizance with conditions or detention (aka jail). The Eastern District has a custom not to use cash bonds. A major factor in the magistrate’s decision is the recommendation from the United States Pretrial [...]

Under what circumstances can a person convicted of a felony legally purchase, possess and use a gun according to Michigan law?

admin2016-11-16T13:37:59+00:00February 26th, 2013|

In the state of Michigan, it is unlawful for a person convicted of a felony to possess, carry or use a firearm unless their right to possess carry or use the firearm has been restored. If their firearm rights have not been restored they can be charged and convicted of another felony for which the maximum penalty is five years in prison. How does a felon restore their firearm rights? [...]

Michigan Supreme Court Defines Medical Marijuana Patient to Patient Sales in McQueen

admin2016-11-16T13:37:59+00:00February 14th, 2013|

On February 8, 2013 the Michigan Supreme Court handed down another long awaited decision interpreting the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act (MMMA). This opinion was about the operation of a medical marijuana dispensary. In May of 2010 the Compassionate Apothacary (CA) opened and operated a medical marijuana dispensary in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. CA was operating as a MMMA membership organization where medicine was sold between patients with CA charging a transaction [...]