Insider Intelligence

Legislation dealing with the increasing problem of porch theft was signed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer this week. Introduced by Senator Peter Lucido (R-Shelby Twp.), the new law creates state penalties for stealing mail or packages that are left in or near a mailbox. If convicted, a person would face a misdemeanor or one year in […]

A bipartisan package was announced that would expand the state’s expungement laws, with the hopes of providing a fresh start to thousands of residents. Current law allows people with certain convictions to petition for the expungement of one felony or two misdemeanors after being free of contact from the court system for a minimum of […]

Governor Whitmer just appointed two new judges to Michigan courts; Jason C. Bomia to the 10th District Court, and Sara Spencer-Noggle to the 21st Circuit Court. Bomia will be working at the District Court in Calhoun County after previously practicing at Schroder DeGraw, PLLC in Monroe. He specializes in civil litigation, bankruptcy, real estate, and […]

The Michigan Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on July 17 regarding the legality of the legislature adopting a ballot initiative, only to amend it shortly thereafter. Specifically, this case deals with the ballot initiatives changing the state’s minimum wage and sick time leave laws, which were headed for the ballot in 2018. As allowable […]

This week, the Michigan House and Senate filed two lawsuits against Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson for refusing to follow the 2018 petition initiative law that Attorney General Dana Nessel declared unconstitutional through an official opinion. The 2018 law, passed by the legislature and approved by former Governor Rick Snyder, required that not more than […]

The state’s jail and court data will be reviewed under an Executive Order signed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer on Wednesday. E.O. 2019-10 forms the Michigan Task Force on Jail and Pretrial Incarceration, who will review the data to look for expanded alternatives to jail, safely reduce jail admissions and length of stay, and improve the […]

Seventeen-year-olds would be treated as juveniles in the criminal justice system under legislation reported by the House Judiciary Committee this week. Currently, Michigan is one of four states that automatically prosecute 17-year-olds as adults. Under the bipartisan package, beginning October 1, 2021, seventeen-year-olds would be treated as minors within the juvenile system in most circumstances. […]

Attorney General Dana Nessel launched a new Conviction Integrity Unit to investigate credible claims of innocence. Housed within the department’s Criminal Appellate Division, the new unit will be led by Robyn B. Frankel, who has been a practicing attorney for more than 30 years and has expertise in trial and appellate court proceedings in both […]