If you’re struggling under the weight of crippling debt, you may be looking at bankruptcy as though you have nowhere else to turn. It’s easy to see why bankruptcy is so frightening to so many people—the impact it can have on your credit for many years to come can be significant and for that reason many people don’t even want to consider it as a viable option. However, there’s some good news: if ...
Having a liquor license can significantly increase revenue to your business. However, Michigan’s liquor license laws are quite complex and obtaining one can be an arduous process. The Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC) has many rules, regulations, and standard practices. Simple mistakes can prolong approval for an applicant from six months to as long as 12 to 18 months. The following ...
Whether you’re an employed individual or someone who employs others at their business, you’re probably more than familiar with the fact that business disputes happen. No matter how large or small your business, conflicts could come up and that means a tedious dispute resolution that can be a huge hassle for everyone involved. Both sides have a vested interest in finding a solution quickly and ...
Having a liquor license can significantly increase revenue to your business. However, Michigan’s liquor license laws are quite complex and obtaining one can be an arduous process. The Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC) has many rules, regulations, and standard practices. Simple mistakes can prolong approval for an applicant from six months to as long as 12 to 18 months. The following ...
If you are thinking about starting a new business, whether as a full-time job or to make some money on the side, you should consider forming a Limited Liability Company (“LLC”). The LCC is a similar to a corporation but is much simpler than a corporation (think less paperwork). An LCC is easy to create and can be used for many types of businesses, such as a group of people joining together to ...
Maintaining the responsibility of children is difficult enough, but what happens if your child is arrested for driving under the influence? Although you might feel hurt or even betrayed by your child, you may also feel the need to help them fix their mistake. The question is how. Our team has created a list of steps for you to follow. Understand the Consequences When your child calls you and ...
Many people are unsure of what to do when they’re about to be arrested. The situation is likely to be frightening regardless of whether they have been arrested before. Likewise, few people know exactly what their rights are at that moment. If you’re about to be arrested, it helps to understand your constitutional rights. Right to Remain Silent The 5 th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ...
Not having the ability to drive can significantly affect how you conduct your day-to-day life. Whether it’s commuting to work or school or driving to important appointments, your life is not the same without being able to drive. If you have been arrested for a DUI /OWI in Michigan, trying to get your driver’s license reinstated is a lengthy and complex process. There are two kinds of ...
Maintaining the responsibility of children is difficult enough, but what happens if your child is arrested for driving under the influence? Although you might feel hurt or even betrayed by your child, you may also feel the need to help them fix their mistake. The question is how. Our team has created a list of steps for you to follow. Understand the Consequences When your child calls you and ...
If you have gone through the rigorous Secretary of State driver’s license restoration process, you are likely familiar with the interlock ignition device that can be placed in drivers’ vehicles to monitor sobriety. If you are familiar with these pesky devices, then you probably know that they can be a major hassle to drivers hoping to get their license fully restored. Michigan drivers dealing with ...
Whether you are of Irish heritage or not, St. Patrick’s Day is a great opportunity to enjoy a night out on the town with friends. Unfortunately, the high rate of people who consume alcohol during the celebrations has led to a significant increase in drunk driving accidents and fatalities. Studies by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) state that around one-third of car crash ...
A “whistleblower” is an employee who reports illegal or unethical activity of their employer to the proper authorities. However, since employers may face monetary penalties, sanctions, and costly remediation costs associated with correcting the violation, reporting employees may be victims of employer retaliation. The purpose of retaliation is to either punish the employee, deter future reports, ...
Whether you’re an employed individual or someone who employs others at their business, you’re probably more than familiar with the fact that business disputes happen. No matter how large or small your business, conflicts could come up and that means a tedious dispute resolution that can be a huge hassle for everyone involved. Both sides have a vested interest in finding a solution quickly and ...
In most cases, “at will” employment means that your job can end for no reason or for any reason. An employer violates the at will principle when it fires an employee for exercising a right guaranteed by law, executing a duty required by law, or when an employee refuses to violate the law. Other instances where an employer may not fire you at will can be when a contract specifies “for cause” or ...
After the United States Supreme Court’s 2015 decision to legalize marriage equality, the LGBTQ community received a wealth of rights it was previously denied. However, questions still remain about the parental rights of unmarried same sex couples who raise children together. Prior to the Supreme Court’s decision, in Michigan, same-sex partners could not jointly adopt children, and for couples who ...
With the start of hunting season, Michigan has certain laws that all hunters should be aware of. Here are 5 things you should know before you grab your hunter’s orange and head out into the woods. [1] GET A LICENSE . This may seem self-explanatory, but hunting without a license has serious consequences. Michigan law prohibits people from taking or possessing a wild animal without possessing a ...
After the United States Supreme Court’s 2015 decision to legalize marriage equality, the LGBTQ community received a wealth of rights it was previously denied. However, questions still remain about the parental rights of unmarried same sex couples who raise children together. Prior to the Supreme Court’s decision, in Michigan, same-sex partners could not jointly adopt children, and for couples who ...
If you are thinking about starting a new business, whether as a full-time job or to make some money on the side, you should consider forming a Limited Liability Company (“LLC”). The LCC is a similar to a corporation but is much simpler than a corporation (think less paperwork). An LCC is easy to create and can be used for many types of businesses, such as a group of people joining together to ...
Like many states, Michigan allows the legal use of medicinal marijuana. According to Michigan Initiated Law 1 of 2008, also known as the Michigan Marihuana Act, any patient having a debilitating condition and his/her primary caregiver is permitted to use, possess, cultivate, manufacture, deliver, or transfer marijuana to treat or improve the qualifying patient’s health condition. Qualifying ...
On April 18, 2017, the Michigan Court of Appeals unanimously issued a published opinion in People v. Manuel that has brought some much-needed clarity to the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act (“MMMA”). White Law PLLC Attorney John Fraser represented Mr. Manuel at both the trial court level and in the Court of Appeals. Mr. Fraser successfully argued and achieved immunity from prosecution under Section ...
On September 21, 2016, the Legislature and Governor gave some much needed guidance to medical marijuana caregivers and patients in Michigan. Governor Rick Snyder signed the “Medical Marihuana Facilities Licensing Act” into law. The Act will become effective December 20, 2016. The Licensing Act does exactly what its name suggests: establish a statewide licensing procedure for medical marijuana ...
The Ingham County 30 th Circuit Court offers Mental Health Court as an alternative to the typical criminal justice system. The goal of Mental Health Court, like other specialty court programs, is to try and address the root cause of a particular defendant’s behavior, as opposed to simply punishing them to a term of incarceration. Instead of just being sentenced to a jail or prison term, defendants ...
If you have gone through the rigorous Secretary of State driver’s license restoration process, you are likely familiar with the interlock ignition device that can be placed in drivers’ vehicles to monitor sobriety. If you are familiar with these pesky devices, then you probably know that they can be a major hassle to drivers hoping to get their license fully restored. Michigan drivers dealing with ...
Before attending your driver’s license appeal hearing, preparation is absolutely crucial. Not being able to commute to work, drive to class, or conduct day-to-day activities can make your life more difficult. While the stress of trying to regain your driving privileges back can be daunting, proper preparation can help you get back on the road as quickly as possible. The following are several tips ...
Getting your driving privileges back after a DUI or OWI arrest can be a long and arduous process. It is critical to have a good understanding of the proceedings necessary to get you back on the road. Additionally, you need to be aware of the common missteps people often take to avoid prolonging driver’s license restoration. The following are the four most common mistakes when getting your license ...
In Michigan, legislation reducing penalties for minors caught with alcohol is one of the bills signed by Gov. Rick Snyder and Lt. Gov. Brian Calley in December. Senate Bills 332 and 333 – sponsored by state Sen. Rick Jones (R-Grand Ledge) – decreases first-time violations of the minor in possession (MIP) law from a misdemeanor to a state civil infraction that is similar to a traffic ticket. ...
Being convicted of multiple moving violations or for driving under the influence ( DUI ) in Michigan will likely result in the temporary loss of your driver’s license. As important as it may be to do all you can to prevent this suspension or revocation in the first place, it may be just as crucial to know what you need to do – or not do – to get it back. The Michigan driver’s license restoration ...
The U.S. may soon offer reciprocity among states for concealed carry permits. Find out about the requirements for a Concealed Pistol License in Michigan. Over the course of the presidential election season there were a number of well-spirited debates about citizens and their gun rights. Now that president-elect Trump, a gun rights proponent, will take the Oval Office in January, new restrictions ...
We are appreciative of the service of our veterans. Unfortunately, after returning home from service, many veterans face social and legal challenges, which could lead to criminal charges. Ingham County has created a specialized court that addresses legal issues facing veterans. The Ingham County Veterans’ Treatment Court is a problem-solving court for veterans that was established in 2010. As a ...
On April 18, 2017, the Michigan Court of Appeals unanimously issued a published opinion in People v. Manuel that has brought some much-needed clarity to the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act (“MMMA”). White Law PLLC Attorney John Fraser represented Mr. Manuel at both the trial court level and in the Court of Appeals. Mr. Fraser successfully argued and achieved immunity from prosecution under Section ...
The ongoing Larry Nassar sexual abuse case has been rife with controversy since its first day. In just a short amount of time, dozens of women have come forth to submit their own complaints, some of them dating back to 1999. As the case develops, more eyes are turning to Michigan State University (MSU), where Nassar was employed for close to 20 years as a team physician. Can MSU be held ...
After the United States Supreme Court’s 2015 decision to legalize marriage equality, the LGBTQ community received a wealth of rights it was previously denied. However, questions still remain about the parental rights of unmarried same sex couples who raise children together. Prior to the Supreme Court’s decision, in Michigan, same-sex partners could not jointly adopt children, and for couples who ...
When it comes to dog bites, the state of Michigan is a “strict-liability” state, meaning the animal does not need to have a history of aggressive behavior in order to file a claim. According to Michigan statute 287.351, dog owners are liable for bite injuries their pets cause. However, in order to have a valid dog bite injury claim, your case answer yes to a number of questions. Was the Attack ...
Although dogs are considered to be man’s best friend, these canine companions are still prone to attack or bite a friend or foe. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 4.5 million dog bites occur in the United States annually, and 900,000 of those bites become infected. This means that a dog bites one out of every 72 people, which is a frightening ...
Young adults, especially women ages 18-24, are at a high risk for sexual assault and sexual violence on college campuses . In fact, sex crimes are more pervasive on university grounds compared to other offenses. Although many colleges have policies in place to guard against—and punish the perpetrators of—sexual assault, these unfortunate incidents still occur. Sexual assault doesn’t just mean ...
Approximately 1.8 million adolescents have been victimized by sexual assault in the United States. Research has determined that before reaching the age of 18, approximately 1 out of 4 girls and 1 out of 6 boys will be sexually assaulted by a stranger, relative, teacher, clergy member, etc. Sexual offenders often use specific and planned strategies when choosing their victims. In order to prevent ...
Young adults, especially women ages 18-24, are at a high risk for sexual assault and sexual violence on college campuses . In fact, sex crimes are more pervasive on university grounds compared to other offenses. Although many colleges have policies in place to guard against—and punish the perpetrators of—sexual assault, these unfortunate incidents still occur. Sexual assault doesn’t just mean ...
A false allegation of sexual abuse can be absolutely devastating. A person accused could have their personal life tarnished, career ruined and family destroyed. Worse yet, if the person is convicted, they can face extreme repercussions such as prison time, sex offender registration and hefty fines. Fortunately, prosecutors must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that a person committed sexual abuse, ...
The ongoing Larry Nassar sexual abuse case has been rife with controversy since its first day. In just a short amount of time, dozens of women have come forth to submit their own complaints, some of them dating back to 1999. As the case develops, more eyes are turning to Michigan State University (MSU), where Nassar was employed for close to 20 years as a team physician. Can MSU be held ...
