While Michigan law allows for certain convictions to be kept off of your record entirely, many convictions become a part of your permanent history and follow you for the rest of your life—unless you take proactive measures to remove them. Fortunately, you have the...
Year: 2017
Different degrees of retail fraud
Retail fraud is simply a term used in Michigan to describe the crime of shoplifting. Theft from stores is one of the most common crimes in the entire country with the National Association of Shoplifting Prevention reporting that police have caught over 10 million...
What does equitable division of property mean?
In 2015, Michigan had a divorce rate of 6.0. This came out to over 29,000 divorces in that year alone, according to data from the state's Department of Health & Human Services. Before pursuing a divorce in earnest, it is good if both parties have a complete...
A co-parent is a better parent
Both Michigan society and the courts are favoring robust co-parenting arrangements. When parents otherwise may have an acrimonious relationship when they split, the newer atmosphere of consideration of what is in the best interests of the children may persuade them to...
How to exercise your right to remain silent
You may have heard that the law does not require you to talk to a law enforcement officer if he or she questions you. The Miranda warning even includes the clear statement that you have the right to remain silent. However, you do not necessarily want to just press...
Making your stepchild part of the family
If you are in a second marriage and your new spouse has a son or daughter, the subject of adoption may come up. Is this a good idea? Is everyone in favor of it, including the child? Adoption is a big decision and should be considered carefully. First, you must be...
Tips for co-parenting
One nice theme in today’s divorces is when parents put the children first. Many courts prefer that couples work out their own parenting plan rather than rely on the judge’s discretion. While it can be difficult to create a co-parenting plan, if you and...
Understanding the field sobriety tests
Since the 1970s, law enforcement officers have been pulling people over and administering three roadside tests that help them gauge whether a driver is impaired. While these tests are not perfect, they do produce certain results that could lead to an arrest, a...
Eyewitnesses do not make for an open-and-shut case
Eyewitnesses do not carry as much credibility as they used to. In fact, factors such as lighting can even lead people to misidentify strangers as people they think they know. Given this, it is realistic to question whether eyewitnesses in many criminal investigations...
4 ways to help children through divorce
Divorce is a highly emotional time for everyone involved, especially the children. Though you may feel animosity toward your soon-to-be ex-spouse, it is important to keep that negativity away from the kids and focus on their best interests. The experience of the...