When you think about Michigan’s changing switchblade law, do you picture some scene from West Side Story or a Michael Jackson music video, complete with dance fighting?
The law that banned switchblades in Michigan was made in 1952. This was when the American public was concerned with the safety of allowing these weapons to be in the hands of “street thugs” or gang members. This was no doubt fueled by movie depictions of switchblades, among other things.
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In the 90s we heard a lot about the 3 strikes law and how it was sending so many people to life in prison without chance of parole. The 3 strikes law in California was just one of the more famous habitual offender laws in the country.
The truth is most states do still have habitual offender laws, even though California has changed its 3 strikes law.
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By now, most people are familiar with some aspects of criminal court cases and legal jargon from watching legal procedural television shows. But there are still some aspects of real court cases that get confusing if T.V. is your primary source of information.
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Many of us are familiar with getting pulled over for speeding, running a red light or having a busted tail light. These driving violations are called infractions. They may or may not result in a ticket, based on your previous infractions or the judgment of the officer who caught it.
What you might not know is that some traffic offenses become misdemeanors – which are crimes – if they are more serious.
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Sometimes people do things without thinking. Of course, there are some types of crimes people know are wrong. Yes, they may feel justified in committing the crime, but they know they will probably be charged with a crime if they do them.
The most common crimes in America are not violent crimes. Read more ›
I was recently told this story about a mom of young kids, who was concerned she could be charged with child neglect or abuse for parenting decisions she believed she was making for the health and well-being of her kids.
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The world has become a much more complicated place in the modern age, especially with regard to technology and areas of expertise. The days when a jury of your peers would have sufficient knowledge of all facets of your case are gone.
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If you’ve ever been a fan of legal procedural shows like Law & Order, you will be familiar with the ramifications of the exclusionary rule.
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Admissible evidence is a legal term used in a court of law. It is evidence that is provided to a judge or jury.
In any criminal trial, officials, for example police officers, will collect evidence as they build their case.
Of course, this is the goal of the criminal justice system. However, police officers have to build a case. They will begin building a case against you if they see evidence to suggest they should. This is what they are trained to do.
Imagine coming home early one day, chatting with your husband in the kitchen when police barge in and find a 13-year-old girl in your upstairs closet. Then finding out your husband has sexually assaulted and imprisoned her.
It sounds pretty unimaginable. It’s was one Kalamazoo, Michigan woman’s reality in May.
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