Category Archives: Sexual Offenses in Michigan

In 2002, a black man was convicted of sexual assault and sentenced to serve between 12 and 35 years behind bars as a result. However, the Michigan Court of Appeals have since awarded him a new trial because not one person in the 42-member jury is African American–ultimately protecting his constitutional right to a trial by jury of peers.

In a new ruling handed down by the Michigan Court of Appeals, it is possible for a defendants under the jurisdiction of the Court be placed on the Sex Offender Registry retroactively. As long as the convict is on probation, the prosecution can request to have he or she placed on the registry at anytime. However, the law also allows defendants to be placed on the registry for crimes against minors, which are not generally considered sexual offenses by nature.

In a recent ruling, the US Supreme Court handed down a decision that clarified the scope of the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA)–potentially affecting many convicted sex offenders who were convicted and relocated prior to the effective date of the law.

Even though repeat offender Robert Wilber narrowly escaped jail time after pleading guilty to Michigan theft charges, he is still ordered to compete three years of probation–still restricting many enjoyed personal liberties and freedoms.