You thought you got lucky, but nothing could be further from the truth. The girl you hooked up with at an off-campus party is now accusing you of date rape. You could not have had a more unlucky start to the semester if you tried. You remember it clearly; yes, you...
Prostitute? Or a victim of human trafficking?
While prostitution is illegal in Michigan, people are slowly waking up to the fact that many of the women involved are the victims of the situation. They need help, not a criminal record. There were 383 cases of human trafficking in Michigan reported to the National...
Michigan tax preparer facing 20 years in prison on federal charges
Because the filing deadline has been extended to July 15 this year, tax season is much longer than usual. Tax preparers throughout Michigan are busy serving their customers with their state and federal income tax filings. In this competitive industry, your reputation...
Falsely accused of sleeping with a student
You’ve heard the rumors in the school corridors. You’ve seen the things written on the toilet walls. You’ve managed to dismiss them all as kids being foolish. Day after day, you hold your head high and walk into the school to fulfill your vocation to teach. Only today...
Michigan man sentenced again on child porn charges
A Michigan man who spent 10 years in prison and was on supervised release is going back to federal prison on child pornography charges. The man, 66, lives in the northern part of Michigan. In 2006, he received the initial 10-year sentence, plus nine years of...
The wrong download or video could lead to federal charges
People like to say that you can find anything you want on the internet, and that is frighteningly close to the truth. People will even upload and share things that violate both state and federal law, potentially putting other people who view or download those images...
Domestic violence is serious for all members of the family
Unfortunately, many Michigan families experience domestic violence issues. Sometimes, the violence is real and is extremely harmful to everyone in the family, even those not suffering from abuse. Other times, the allegations of domestic violence may be fabricated....
Animation and digital images can lead to federal prosecution
Many people assume that any creative concepts they come up with have protection under the First Amendment, which allows people freedom of speech and freedom of the press. However, as some cartoonists and digital artists have learned the hard way, sharing certain kinds...
Can ‘playing doctor’ lead to criminal charges?
Children are inherently curious, and that curiosity extends to their bodies. It was once almost universally understood that when very young children were caught “playing doctor,” they were simply going through a developmental stage. That’s not how things work these...
Criminal convictions come with collateral consequences
People have likely heard the saying that you’re innocent until you’re proven guilty, but it seems as though this only applies within the criminal justice system. Many people who are facing criminal charges find that the impacts of the situation begin before they are...
