Michigan Criminal Lawyers Blog

June 20, 2016

Summer Time Crimes

We’ve all long been aware that during the warmer summer months, crime rates seem to soar. Is it just our imaginations, or do violent and property crimes really escalate during summer? Unfortunately, increased crime as the temperatures heat up is a fact. According to a Department of Justice report, burglaries are 10.5% more common during the summer than in winter months.

Law enforcement professionals strongly believe that as temperatures rise, so do the number of violent crimes. In fact, according to a June 2015 report at the Chicago Tribune, murders were already up by 20% in New York over the same period in 2014, and shootings up 10% over that same time.
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June 15, 2016

Father’s Day Tips and Gifts for Attorneys

by Scott Grabel

Most attorneys, whether they practice in criminal defense, personal injury, family

law, or another area of focus, work an excessive number of hours each week. While successful lawyers do generally enjoy a comfortable living, their time off is cherished. With Father’s Day coming up, you may be wondering what you can do for the dad who seems to have everything! The truth is, many attorneys relish just relaxing and spending time with family more than any “gift” that could be purchased.

Considering the time of year Father’s Day falls, the weather is nice across most of the country. Adult children may want to consider doing something for their attorney dads such as throwing a steak or burger on the grill and enjoying a relaxing meal outdoors. A drink or glass of wine before dinner, good conversation, just being a family and being together can mean more than anything to a father. Attorneys’ time is valuable, so a day off with family and just kicking back is sometimes priceless!

Gift ideas for attorneys
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June 13, 2016

DEA Rescheduling Marijuana Can Affect Michigan’s Medical Marijuana Industry

by Scott Grabel

In April, the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) announced that it was reviewing the possibility of reclassifying marijuana as a Schedule II drug. Since 1970, marijuana has been classified as a Schedule I drug, which means it has no currently accepted medical treatment use. Schedule I drugs include, in addition to marijuana, heroin, LSD, bath salts, cocaine, and other substances that have high abuse potential. If marijuana is rescheduled as a Schedule II drugs, it would be in a category of drugs including oxycodone, Adderal, and Ritalin.

While marijuana is currently classified as a substance with no currently accepted medical treatment use, ironically it is permitted for medical use in some form across 24 states in the U.S., including Michigan. Experts claim that the rescheduling of marijuana could have a far-reaching impact on how it is used in medical settings.
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June 11, 2016

Best Diets for Attorneys Under Stress

by Scott Grabel

Unless you’re an attorney yourself, you probably don’t realize the tremendous amount of stress many lawyers are under. Stress and anxiety often go hand-in-hand, which can lead to depression. In fact, a John Hopkins University study from 1990 found that of the more than 100 occupations examined for issues related to stress/anxiety, attorneys experienced depression at a rate more than 3 1/2 times that of other professions. The bottom line is this: lawyers, regardless of their areas of focus, are stressed out!

There are lots of reasons attorneys are stressed. Sometimes the caseload is enormous, and it seems there aren’t enough hours in the day. Many lawyers are “perfectionists” because they feel they have to be, considering the law profession is extremely detail-oriented. Attorneys want to win every case, and reach the best outcome for every client; this can be extremely stressful. Add to this the fact that many lawyers aren’t eating healthy diets or taking time to rejuvenate themselves, and it compounds the problem.
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June 3, 2016

Reinstating a Driver’s License in Michigan

by Scott Grabel

An individual’s driver’s license may be revoked due to multiple convictions for driving under the influence (DUI); in some cases, a person’s license may be permanently revoked if that individual has been convicted for DUI repeatedly over a specific time period. Is it possible to get a revoked license back in Michigan? In most cases – but be warned, the process is very complex.

The first step you must take to have any chance of getting your driver’s license reinstated is to file a request with the Michigan Secretary of State’s DAAD (Driver Assessment and Appeal Division). However, there are certain guidelines that must be followed, and you cannot request a hearing at any time of your choosing. For example, if your driver’s license was revoked due to being convicted for DUI twice within seven years, you must wait for one year following the revocation before filing a request with the DAAD. If you were convicted on DUI charges three times within 10 years, you may file a request after one year has passed; however, if your license was revoked at any time during the seven (7) years prior to the ten-year period in which you were convicted three times for DUI, you will have to wait for five years to file a request. As you can see, determining when you may be eligible to file a request with the DAAD is quite confusing.

June 2, 2016

Heroin Addiction & Crime in Michigan

by Scott Grabel

Over the past two or three years heroin has made a strong comeback in West Michigan, resulting in not only countless deaths due to overdose, but a substantial rise in criminal charges. HIDTA, or high intensity drug trafficking areas, include Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, and Detroit, among others. Not too many years ago, Flint became a city that ranked continuously as one of the most dangerous cities in the U.S. for several reasons, one being a sharp increase in heroin use. How does the increase of heroin addiction relate to the increase in crime in the state?

In regions where heroin addiction is high (particularly HIDTA regions), violent and property crimes are quite common. Heroin addicts often know no boundaries when it comes to getting their “fix,” and those who distribute or traffic heroin will go to almost any lengths to protect their distribution operations. Some of the most common criminal offenses committed by addicts who seek the funds to support their addictions include burglary, robbery, retail fraud, and other theft crimes.

May 28, 2016

How Violence and Crime Have Hurt Michigan Education

by Scott Grabel

School violence and crime are problems in many cities across the U.S., and while it’s believed violence is decreasing, many schools fail to report incidents. This means the data on school crime is somewhat unreliable, and unfortunately incidents involving violence are often downplayed. In Michigan, violence and crime in schools seems especially problematic, particularly in high-crime areas such as Detroit, Benton Harbor, and Flint.

While violence and crime occur in middle schools and high schools, colleges and universities have become top stories in the news recently as it seems sexual assaults become more common (or at least more are being reported). In 2015, MSU (Michigan State University) was ranked the most dangerous campus in the country by crimewatchdaily.com, taking data from 2013. MSU ranked fourth in per capita crime rates in the country.

May 27, 2016

Investing in Youth Through Education

by Scott Grabel

We all know that children often become what they’re exposed to, whether they live in high-crime areas, are the victims of abuse and neglect, or exposed to a substantial amount of crime/violence through television, video games, etc. Thankfully, fighting crime through education, school programs, and providing support for troubled kids can help us build a future society of young people who instead of turning to crime can live productive, successful lives and hopefully avoid becoming a defendant in the criminal justice system.

Education is Our Future

Children today are tomorrow’s adults; what we must do is instill in kids that crime and violence are to be avoided. This can begin at a very young age, and impact how our world will look 10 or 20 years from now in terms of crime rates. An organization called Fight Crime: Invest in Kids supports anti-crime efforts and takes a close look at research regarding what we can all do to help ensure today’s kids don’t become tomorrow’s criminals. The organization provides information that helps parents, police, and the general public understand what steps can be taken to improve kids’ lives and educate them about crime.

May 20, 2016

Michigan Juvenile Lifers Win Court Victory

by Scott Grabel

– Hill V. Snyder, 6th Cir. 2016

On May 11, it was ordered by the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals that a “meaningful and realistic opportunity for release” must be granted to all Michigan juvenile “lifers,” or those sentenced to life in prison without parole for crimes allegedly committed when these individuals were juveniles. Currently, there are more than 364 individuals incarcerated in Michigan’s prisons who were sentenced to spend their entire lives there for crimes they committed as children.

In the case of Hill v. Snyder, the ruling by the Sixth Circuit follows two U.S. Supreme Court decisions that sentencing juveniles to life in prison without parole is unconstitutional (Miller v. Alabama); further, this punishment has been declared as “cruel and unusual punishment.” The decision in the Miller v. Alabama case is retroactive to all juvenile lifers (Montgomery v. Louisiana).
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May 18, 2016

What Are White Collar Crimes?

by Scott Grabel

There are many offenses that fall under the category of white collar crimes, but all are generally motivated by the possibility of financial gain. Some of these crimes include money laundering, embezzlement, tax evasion, insurance fraud, bribery, certain Ponzi schemes, and securities fraud. The biggest factor that sets white collar crimes apart from other criminal offenses is that they typically don’t involve violence or overtly illegal activities, such as drug-related crimes.

In the majority of cases, white collar crimes are investigated by federal authorities. If evidence is sufficient to warrant criminal charges, the case may be prosecuted at the federal level as well. Much of the general population believes that those found guilty of white collar crimes are not punished accordingly, and often treated with leniency. The truth is many individuals convicted of tax evasion, Ponzi schemes, embezzling and other financial crimes often face sentences that are just as severe as those found guilty of more serious or violent crimes. Penalties may include significant fines, restitution, and long prison terms.
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