Category Archives: Illegal Search and Seizure

We’ve all heard the stories – people’s homes invaded by officers who have a warrant to search for evidence they suspect will be there. They show up, turn the place upside down, and leave with boxes full of that person’s belongings. There goes the laptop, the cell phone, and a wad of cash that was […]

In the Michigan city of Saginaw, parking enforcement officers use a technique used all over the country for keeping track of how long a vehicle has been parked in one parking place – chalking the tires. If a parking spot doesn’t have a parking meter, parking officials will mark the tires of a car with […]

  If you assume that the cops always need a warrant to enter someone’s home or property, then we’re sorry to be the bearers of bad news, but you’re wrong. In reality, cops need a warrant to enter or search a premises almost all of the time, but there are a few exceptions. Yes, that’s […]

  Civil forfeiture is a subject we’ve talked about with our readers for years now. It’s a highly controversial topic that regularly makes headlines here in Michigan, where we’ve been labelled one of the worst states for civil asset forfeiture regulation. Although in recent years, several laws have passed aimed at better regulation of police […]

  In our previous article by the Kronzek Firm, we discussed exactly what a ‘search’ and what a ‘seizure’ are under Michigan law. We also looked at a few of the exceptions to the general rule when it comes to an officer needing a warrant to conduct a search. Now that we are all on […]

  Before we can really break down the implications of search and seizure law, we need to make sure that you understand exactly what it is. Search and seizure laws are often misunderstood and in Michigan, are the source of a great deal of controversy. So before we start unpacking this highly charged subject, let’s […]

  We live in an age of almost constant technological evolution. With every passing day, new software is developed. A new app is made available. A new technology hits the market. This constant changing and updating of technology has an enormous impact on criminal activity all over the world. This in turn has a direct […]

Appeals Court Says No On Fourth Amendment Rights Violation Both federal and local law enforcement agencies regularly use cell-site records as evidence in court cases. In essence, cell-site data is simply using cellphone records to trace the exact cell tower that was used to make or receive a call, which then helps to determine a caller’s […]

Just a couple of weeks ago we wrote on the subject of Michigan’s new DNA laws, in which the state’s Supreme Court has ruled that anyone arrested for a serious crime can be swabbed for DNA samples by law enforcement, even if they are not yet charged with a crime. But the mere subject of […]

Since 9/11, the federal government has recruited state and local police to look for suspicious individuals and drugs on America’s highways to stop funding for terrorism. Much to the chagrin of drivers, the resulting traffic stops from all this vigilance also yield a great deal of cash.  This is seized by aggressive police, although many […]