Tag Archives: Local Crimes

A new system is being adopted in July that will allow low-risk Michigan parolees to check-in to parole and probation officers through phone, as opposed to reporting in person. This is designed to allow police officers more time to focus on high-risk offenders, and help ease the social stigma surrounding probation for ex-inmates convicted of non-violent crimes.

In the spirit of the recent Arizona Illegal Immigrant law, Michigan State Representative Kim Meltzer announced last week that she intends to propose a similar law that would allow police to question people on their immigration status during “lawful contact.” Even though the number of undocumented people in Michigan is much less than the southwest, minority-rights organizations have already publicly announced their willingness to fight the constitutionality of the law, if passed in the state.

Although the freedom of speech is protected by the First Amendment, a Michigan couple was arrested for having anti-Bush signs on their vehicle during a 2007 military funeral procession. Even though the charges against them were eventually dismissed, lawyers for Lewis and Jean Lowden are protesting not only that their civil rights were infringed upon, but that Michigan’s 2006 Funeral Protest Law is unconstitutional.

Police arrested a Northern Michigan man last week after he allegedly lit his ex-girlfriend on fire. He is currently being held at the Livingston County Jail on charges of stalking, torture, and attempted murder.

The investigation into the death of a young girl from Ludington has come to a standstill–until law enforcement officials receive crime and toxicology lab reports, they are unable to piece together specific details surrounding the death of Chloey Stoudt, and her accused killer James Belanger.

After biting his neighbor during an evening argument, a Clinton Township man has been accused of Michigan assault charges. However, after later announcing that he was HIV-positive, he was charged with additional violations under the 1998 Michigan Bioterrorism Law. Because of the delicate and personal nature of the case, it has stirred up the passions of legislators and civil rights activists nationwide, as they fight for the charges against the suspect to be dropped.

A Michigan woman was sentenced Thursday her second wave of cocaine-related charges, resulting in added jail time to the sentence she is currently serving. These cases are always disheartening, particuarly as many repeat offenders of non-violent drug crimes are also addicts that desperately need rehabiltiation, not incarceration.

The Michigan Court of Appeals has granted a convicted murderer another shot at gaining his freedom. Michael George, 49, was found guilty of homicide based on the presentation of circumstantial evidence. However, new information discovered by George’s defense counsel shows not only that he may not be at fault, but that prosecution exhibited misconduct during the trial.

After a fatal shootout in Detroit this week resulting in the death of a police officer and the injury of four others, a 25 year-old man will almost certainly face Michigan homicide charges for his involvement. Not only is Jason Gibson, also known as James Everet, suspected of this crime, but he has been convicted for numerous others in recent years, including drug possession, unlawful gun possession, and attempting to disarm an officer.

A new bill is about to be proposed in the State House of Representatives that will outlaw speed traps in Michigan. All communities will be forced to determine traffic limits based on studies on actual traffic flow, and be prohibited from hunting down motorists for outrageous motor vehicle violations.