A panel of judges decided not to pursue charges against Bill Schuette, who won Michigan's republican primary race recently.
Article here.
However, the FBI may still decide whether to charge him.
Showing posts with label Downtown Grand Rapids. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Downtown Grand Rapids. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 21, 2018
Wednesday, June 27, 2018
Q: How do I get rid of a misdemeanor on my record? Michigan law Q &A
Q: I had a conviction in 2008 for a traffic offense. I'd prefer to have that removed from my record, is there a way I can go about this?
A: Yes, you can do this. The process is called "expungement," or also a "motion to set aside." The relevant law can be found here.
You have to apply for this in the county where the conviction happened. To meet the statutory requirements, it has to be more than 5 years since the offense. If your conviction was a misdemeanor, you can't have more than 2 misdemeanors (and only can set aside one) ; if your offense was a felony, you can't have any other felony offenses.
It does get a little more technical than that, so I hope that your criminal record isn't too involved, and in any case I hope you seek separate legal advice before you request this motion.
It also helps - a lot - to add evidence to your motion of your current good character. In other words, you've learned your lesson, and you are not likely to continue to break laws, and you won't be a concern to the legal system.
You also mention in your question that this was a "traffic offense." I am sorry to say that some types of criminal convictions can't be set aside under the statute, and convictions for drunk driving are one of those - so if you were convicted of impaired driving, operating under the influence, etc., your motion will fail. Again, seek separate legal advice before you begin, even if you apply for the motion without a lawyer.
Yours,
Nancy
A: Yes, you can do this. The process is called "expungement," or also a "motion to set aside." The relevant law can be found here.
You have to apply for this in the county where the conviction happened. To meet the statutory requirements, it has to be more than 5 years since the offense. If your conviction was a misdemeanor, you can't have more than 2 misdemeanors (and only can set aside one) ; if your offense was a felony, you can't have any other felony offenses.
It does get a little more technical than that, so I hope that your criminal record isn't too involved, and in any case I hope you seek separate legal advice before you request this motion.
It also helps - a lot - to add evidence to your motion of your current good character. In other words, you've learned your lesson, and you are not likely to continue to break laws, and you won't be a concern to the legal system.
You also mention in your question that this was a "traffic offense." I am sorry to say that some types of criminal convictions can't be set aside under the statute, and convictions for drunk driving are one of those - so if you were convicted of impaired driving, operating under the influence, etc., your motion will fail. Again, seek separate legal advice before you begin, even if you apply for the motion without a lawyer.
Yours,
Nancy
Thursday, February 9, 2017
Q: What's a reasonable retainer for a divorce?
Q: What's a reasonable retainer for a divorce? Can't I just do this myself in court without an attorney?
A: Thanks for asking. If you are looking to hire an attorney for divorce, expect to hear many different amounts for retainers. Some attorneys will quote higher than they may need to, but will refund the unused portion of the retainer when your case is done.
A retainer is an amount that an attorney estimates toward how much your case might cost, in total, or for a large portion of the case. That doesn't mean that the retainer amount will cover the whole fee for your case. Again, you may have a refund once your case is done, depending on how your case goes, whether a lot of motions are needed, and how much your spouse decides to fight.
Many attorneys will also tell you their hourly rate when you hear their retainer amount. This is because the retainer is a down payment, which usually is placed in an account. The attorney then invoices against the retainer for each hour that the attorney works on your case. For example, if an attorney charges a $3,000 retainer, and has an hourly rate of $200 per hour, your retainer will be gone once your attorney has worked 15 hours on your case.
Your second question was "can I do this myself without an attorney?" Yes, a party can represent him or herself in court. But I ask you: Is this wise? Even if it seems cost effective? Your divorce has to cover many topics, such as child custody, parenting time, insurance, division of assets and debts (including retirement accounts, property, credit card debts), and child support, among others. Do you want to do this without any idea of how to go about it, when you are also feeling emotional and uncertain? Or would it be better to let a professional, who's not married to your spouse, argue for you?
Best of luck in your situation.
Yours,
Nancy
A: Thanks for asking. If you are looking to hire an attorney for divorce, expect to hear many different amounts for retainers. Some attorneys will quote higher than they may need to, but will refund the unused portion of the retainer when your case is done.
A retainer is an amount that an attorney estimates toward how much your case might cost, in total, or for a large portion of the case. That doesn't mean that the retainer amount will cover the whole fee for your case. Again, you may have a refund once your case is done, depending on how your case goes, whether a lot of motions are needed, and how much your spouse decides to fight.
Many attorneys will also tell you their hourly rate when you hear their retainer amount. This is because the retainer is a down payment, which usually is placed in an account. The attorney then invoices against the retainer for each hour that the attorney works on your case. For example, if an attorney charges a $3,000 retainer, and has an hourly rate of $200 per hour, your retainer will be gone once your attorney has worked 15 hours on your case.
Your second question was "can I do this myself without an attorney?" Yes, a party can represent him or herself in court. But I ask you: Is this wise? Even if it seems cost effective? Your divorce has to cover many topics, such as child custody, parenting time, insurance, division of assets and debts (including retirement accounts, property, credit card debts), and child support, among others. Do you want to do this without any idea of how to go about it, when you are also feeling emotional and uncertain? Or would it be better to let a professional, who's not married to your spouse, argue for you?
Best of luck in your situation.
Yours,
Nancy
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
Street Court: Grand Rapids's Mel Trotter hosting a Street Court tomorrow March 16
Mel Trotter Ministries is holding the next Street Court on Wednesday, March 16 from 9:30 – 11am. 8:30 is when the clients can come in and
have their records looked up, etc. The actual court starts at 9:30am with Judge: Michael J. Distel presiding. Feel free to check this out if you would like to and have the time.
Mel Trotter Ministries is located at
Mel Trotter Ministries is located at
225 Commerce S.W.
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Monday, March 14, 2016
Michigan Court of Appeals rules: Grand Rapids Noise ordinance is unconstitutionally vague
Attorneys for Tip Top Deluxe, a Grand Rapids bar that was cited for noise violations, argued police issued citations under a section
of the Grand Rapids City noise ordinance that is unconstitutionally
vague.
Judges at the state Court of Appeals agreed in an opinion released Tuesday, March 8.
The owners and two employees were cited under a city ordinance that reads:
"No person shall use any premises or suffer any premises under his or her care
or control to be used which shall destroy the peace and tranquility of the
surrounding neighborhood."
Article here (via mlive)
Below is the analysis from the Michigan Bar's e-journal:
Summary: Holding
that the plaintiff-city’s noise ordinance was unconstitutionally vague,
the court reversed and remanded for dismissal of the citations against
the defendants-bar owners and employee.
Judges at the state Court of Appeals agreed in an opinion released Tuesday, March 8.
The owners and two employees were cited under a city ordinance that reads:
"No person shall use any premises or suffer any premises under his or her care
or control to be used which shall destroy the peace and tranquility of the
surrounding neighborhood."
Article here (via mlive)
Below is the analysis from the Michigan Bar's e-journal:
Issues: Municipal
prosecution for the alleged violation of § 9.63(3) of the City of Grand
Rapids Noise Ordinance; Constitutionality; Due process; Vagueness; People v. Lino; Grayned v. City of Rockford; People v. Howell; Vagueness of an ordinance prohibiting “annoying” passersby; Coates v. Cincinnati; Vagueness of an ordinance requiring the production of “credible and reliable” identification to police officers; Kolender v. Lawson;
Vagueness of an ordinance prohibiting the use of “indecent, immoral,
obscene, vulgar, or insulting language in the presence or hearing of any
woman or child”; People v. Boomer; “Disturbance” of the peace; Lansing v. Hartsuff;
Whether the use of a reasonable person standard in a noise ordinance is
sufficient to give a person of ordinary intelligence fair notice the
conduct is forbidden; Plymouth Twp. v. Hancock; Whether a narrowing construction of the ordinance would render it constitutional; People v. FP Books & News, Inc. (On Remand)
Friday, August 7, 2015
Rosalyn Bliss makes Grand Rapids history as first female mayor of GR
A day after her 40th birthday, Rosalynn Bliss has been elected the
city's 59th mayor, and she becomes the first female to win the job.
A commissioner representing the city's Second Ward since 2006, Bliss received solid support throughout Grand Rapids and cruised past the 50 percent threshold needed to avoid a runoff election in November. Runner-up Robert Dean, a former city commissioner and state lawmaker, received 30 percent of the vote while John George and Willard Lee had little impact with a combined 4 percent.
Article here (via mlive).
Related: This election means that a seat will be available on the Grand Rapids City Commission, second ward. Who will be appointed? Mayor Heartwell continues to serve as mayor until January, then is unseated by Bliss. Anyone who's at least 18 years old and who has lived for at least six months in the city's Second Ward, which is mostly east of the Grand River north of Wealthy Street, is eligible for appointment..
A commissioner representing the city's Second Ward since 2006, Bliss received solid support throughout Grand Rapids and cruised past the 50 percent threshold needed to avoid a runoff election in November. Runner-up Robert Dean, a former city commissioner and state lawmaker, received 30 percent of the vote while John George and Willard Lee had little impact with a combined 4 percent.
Article here (via mlive).
Related: This election means that a seat will be available on the Grand Rapids City Commission, second ward. Who will be appointed? Mayor Heartwell continues to serve as mayor until January, then is unseated by Bliss. Anyone who's at least 18 years old and who has lived for at least six months in the city's Second Ward, which is mostly east of the Grand River north of Wealthy Street, is eligible for appointment..
Thursday, August 6, 2015
Man with gunshot wounds won't cooperate with investigators
The victim, so far, has refused to cooperate with investigators and is
offering little information on what happened. Police are working to
identify a possible suspect.
Article here. (via mlive).
The alleged shooting occurred in an area where another shooting recently took place.
Article here. (via mlive).
The alleged shooting occurred in an area where another shooting recently took place.
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
Artprize 2014: Starting this week! Downtown Grand Rapids!
The Grand River during ArtPrize has
been the place to see a mythical dragon, a herd of ghostlike horses,
and an expanse of colorful banners fluttering in the breeze.
Now comes an adult-sized bunny as Playboy founder Hugh Hefner never imagined.
Article here (Grand Rapids Press via mlive.com)
"The tricky thing was to design them in a way that they float and move around in the water," the artist, Alex Podesta, said.
Artprize begins Sept. 24 and runs through Oct. 12, at 174 venues in the downtown Grand Rapids area.
Now comes an adult-sized bunny as Playboy founder Hugh Hefner never imagined.
Article here (Grand Rapids Press via mlive.com)
"The tricky thing was to design them in a way that they float and move around in the water," the artist, Alex Podesta, said.
Artprize begins Sept. 24 and runs through Oct. 12, at 174 venues in the downtown Grand Rapids area.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)