Michigan

Michigan Attorney General Warns of Rising Jury Duty Scam Threats

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LANSING, Mich. — Residents across Michigan are being cautioned about a wave of deceptive calls where scammers impersonate law enforcement officials to demand payments for supposedly missed jury duty. This alert has been reissued by Attorney General Dana Nessel amidst reports of increasing incidents, particularly with claims of being from the Kent County Sheriff’s Department. According to the state’s top law enforcement official, these con artists assert that the individuals contacted have neglected to show up for a jury summons and must urgently remit a bond payment. Nessel emphasized that using trepidation and urgency are … Read more

Michigan Man Wrongfully Detained for 30 Hours, Sparks Nationwide Debate on Use of Facial Recognition in Policing

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In January 2020, Farmington Hills, Michigan became the backdrop to a legal saga highlighting the fallibilities of modern policing technologies. Robert Williams, a local resident, found himself in police custody for 30 hours due to an erroneous facial recognition match connecting him to a robbery that took place at a Detroit watch store a year and a half prior. This incident, stemming from outdated driver’s license photos and the Michigan State Police’s facial recognition technology, eventually burgeoned into a lawsuit that challenged the use of such technology in law enforcement. Facial recognition technology (FRT) has … Read more

Michigan Launches ‘Safe Homes, Safe Schools’ Initiative to Enhance Firearm Security Awareness Among Parents

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LANSING, Mich. — Michigan legislators have enacted the Safe Homes, Safe Schools Law, building on the 2023 Secure Storage Law to enhance gun safety among families with children. This new mandate comes with a requirement for school districts across the state to send annual notifications to parents and guardians, informing them about the stipulations surrounding the secure storage of firearms. State Representative Julie Brixie, a Democrat from Okemos, emphasized the necessity of the legislation. She noted that without such a law, breaches in firearm safety might not become apparent until a tragedy occurs. The bill … Read more

Michigan Man Convicted of Involuntary Manslaughter in Roommate’s Death After Intense Deliberation

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CRYSTAL FALLS, Mich. — A jury in Crystal Falls delivered their verdict Sunday in a high-profile murder case, convicting 71-year-old James Clement of involuntary manslaughter in the death of his housemate, Ralph Schuirmann, after nearly three and a half hours of deliberation. In addition to manslaughter, Clement was found guilty of providing false information to law enforcement during a violent crime investigation. The decision, reached after a seven-day trial, marks a pivot from the initial charges levied against Clement in 2021, which included second-degree murder. Iron County Trial Court Judge Donald Powell stated during the … Read more