Michigan Criminal Lawyers Blog

Social Justice Group Study

A social justice group known as Citizens for Racial Equity in Washtenaw (CREW) County has found that black defendants in Washtenaw County are more likely to get harsher punishments and more likely to see additional criminal charges than similarly situated white defendants. CREW examined case data from the Washtenaw County Circuit Court relating to criminal felony cases and released its findings on August 27th. The data examined spanned a 6-year period from 2013-2019 and found that black defendants were exponentially more likely than whites to be charged with felonies such as:

• Resisting or obstructing an officer,

Allegan County Prosecutor Candidates

On the western side of the state of Michigan in Allegan County a Republican primary was so close that it needed a recount to determine a winner. Two candidates vying for election as the Allegan County Prosecutor found themselves waiting for the results of a recount which ended on September 4th, 2020. The two Republican candidates involved were incumbent and current Allegan County Prosecutor Myrene Koch, and challenger Michael Villar. Koch was recently elected to the Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan Board of Directors and was appointed to role of Allegan County Prosecutor in early 2018 when the previous prosecutor left mid-term to be appointed to an Allegan County judicial position. The Allegan County Circuit Court has two Circuit Court judges who hear criminal cases, Judge Roberts Kengis and Chief Judge Margaret Bakker. Challenger Michael Villar is a criminal defense attorney who practices primarily on the west side of the state. These same two candidates faced off in the 2018 Republican primary soon after Koch was appointed. Koch was declared the winner of which became the first time these two squared off in an election, but not the last. Jumping to the current 2020 election, Koch won this primary before the recount by a total of 17 votes. The winner of this primary would be declared the winner on election day in November as there is no democratic candidate who is running for the seat.

Recount Results

COVID-19 Court Closures

The COVID-19 pandemic has obviously had its effects on pretty much everything in society today. Michigan courtrooms are no different; the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant effect on the operation of Michigan courtrooms. Most courtroom business is now conducted over Zoom, changing a historic tradition of requiring defendants in appear in court, and in person for criminal matters. Along with these closures came significant reductions in the jail and prison populations in an effort to keep inmates safe from COVID-19. Michigan courts are now looking to continue the process of reopening safely under guidance from the state. Courts have been reopening different departments as they follow social distancing guidelines. Courts will not truly be open, however, until they are able to conduct in-person jury trials. Once this occurs, then it can be said that Michigan courts are really back to work as they were before the pandemic. Jury trials have been backed up in all courts across the state as they are the last thing on the list that courts will be able to do once open. If your case has been delayed due to a court closure, or you do not have information about your case, then it is important to speak to an experienced criminal defense attorney who can best help guide you.

Phased Reopening Plan