Michigan Criminal Defense Attorneys
Hills at Law, P.C. is dedicated to serving its clients interests throughout Southwest Michigan. To ensure you have the best information on serious legal topics as they come in to focus, Hills at Law, P.C. will be incorporating a Weekly Blog into its website. Initially this Weekly Blog will cover such topics as the Michigan Driver License Restoration process, the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act and Michigan's "Super-Drunk" or "High B.A.C." Driving Law to put you in a better position to comply with the law, or understand the legal system and challenges that face you. Blog posts will be added every Friday afternoon. If you have a Michigan or Federal Criminal Law topic that you would like to learn more about in the future, please feel free to contact us.
Lately, we have been receiving several inquires as to whether someone who is accused of a crime has a right to know the identity of an anonymous informant or tipster. Generally, the answer is no, there is no right or privilege to know the identity of an anonymous informant or tipster. In Roviaro v. United […]
Comments Off on Informant and Tipster Identity Read MoreWe have filed several Motions lately challenging blood tests on standard run of the mill Operating While Intoxicated stops. The reason is that the taking of blood is very invasive. The government is sticking a needle into your arm and drawing blood. Your blood might show an alcohol level but it also reveals so much […]
Comments Off on Michigan’s Implied Consent Law Read MorePassengers in Vehicles Have 4th Amendment Rights! In April, your Michigan Supreme Court ruled that passengers in a vehicle enjoy 4th Amendment protection regarding their personal property in a landmark case, People v. Mead. Mead is a very important case and overturned long-standing Michigan case law to the contrary, see People v. LaBelle. In Mead, […]
Comments Off on U.S. Constitution Bill of Rights 4th Amendment: Still Alive! Read MoreWhat is the MRTMA? The Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act (MRTMA) was passed in November 2018. The passing of this act will affect what it means to be “under the influence of marijuana” while driving. The MRTMA does not allow for the operation, navigation or physical control of any motor vehicle while under […]
Comments Off on Under the Influence of Marijuana While Driving – Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act in Michigan Read MoreDifferent Types of Personal Protection Orders There are three types of Personal Protection Orders (PPOs) in Michigan, a Domestic Relationship Personal Protection Order, a Non-Domestic Stalking Personal Protection Order, and a Non-Domestic Sexual Assault Personal Protection Order. All are very serious, and you should understand their implications. Are PPO’s Civil or Criminal, and what consequences […]
Comments Off on Defending Against a Personal Protection Order Read MorePeople v. Jackson Does providing a police officer a false name upon being stopped in a traffic violation constitute the violation of MCL 750.217, Obstruction by Disguise? On November 14, 1999, Michigan State Police stopped a vehicle for speeding. The driver, Gregory Jackson, gave the officer his brother’s name. Unfortunately, his brother’s license was suspended […]
Comments Off on Obstruction by Disguise – False Name upon traffic stop Read MoreCrime Victim Rights Act and Restitution The Crime Victim Rights Act (CVRA) grants victims of crime the right to restitution for their losses incurred due to a defendant’s course of conduct resulting in a criminal conviction. M.C.L. § 780.766 (1) defines a “victim” as an individual who suffers direct or threatened physical, financial or […]
Comments Off on Who is a victim for purposes of restitution? Read MoreA recent United States Supreme Court case, Carpenter v. U.S., analyzed whether police need a warrant to obtain cell-site location information. Obtaining Cell-Site Location Information (CSLI) Oftentimes, during a criminal investigation, the location of a person accused of a crime is relevant. Further, the location of a person at a specified time is important. When […]
Comments Off on Do Police Need a Warrant to Obtain Cell Tower Information? Read MoreHave you been charged with drunk driving / operating while intoxicated in the state of Michigan? Drunk Driving Suspicion When a person is arrested for suspicion of drunk driving, the police will require that person to submit to either a breath or a blood test to determine bodily alcohol content (BAC). In most circumstances, law […]
Comments Off on 15 minutes prior to administering the breath test for suspicion of drunk driving Read MoreOn October 1, 2012, the Michigan Legislature amended MCL §769.12 to make certain persons eligible for a 25-year mandatory minimum sentence upon conviction of a “Serious Crime” or a “Conspiracy to Commit a Serious Crime”. This amendment is known commonly amongst attorneys as the “Violent Offender“ stature. A serious crime is defined by the statute as […]
Comments Off on Violent Offender Statute – 4th / Michigan Compiled Laws MLC §769.12(1)(a) Read MoreIf you have a Criminal Law topic which you would like to learn more about in future Blog entries, please feel free to contact us. Please keep in mind that we will only be able to handle general topic requests due to our practitioner's daily time constraints.