There is a sort of cachet about exploring the unknown. After all, that’s how the earliest overseas explorers ever got to America. Today, there is very little space on our planet that has not been accessed by explorers. But there are still parts of the great unknown in...
PROTECTING WHAT MATTERS MOST:
Liberty, Children, Family, Education

Federal Crimes
Sextortion and cyberstalking are illegal under state and federal laws
These days, it’s easy for some people to get carried away by their feelings for someone -– either positive or negative -– and harass or threaten them online or via text or email. This is why both states and the federal government have cyberstalking laws. Michigan’s...
How medical professionals get charged with federal drug crimes
Under Michigan's controlled substances laws, physicians are usually the only people authorized to prescribe most prescription drugs. Pharmacists can compound and dispense medications, while nurses and other skilled medical professionals can administer the drugs to...
What is the burden of proof in a criminal case?
People who are facing criminal charges often think that they have to prove their side of the case -- or prove their innocence. While this might be how it seems, the burden to prove their side of the case actually falls on the prosecutor. The idea that every defendant...
Allegations of prescription drug misuse remains a serious matter
You may already know that drug crimes involving cocaine or heroin are sometimes prosecuted on the federal level. For example, trafficking large amounts of these illegal substances will likely be charged as a federal crime. However, many do not understand that misusing...
Are you facing RICO charges here in Michigan?
Many individuals have heard the acronym RICO thrown around, yet few people know what this federal offense is until they, unfortunately, find themselves facing charges for it. RICO stands for "Racketeer Influenced and Corruptions." It's a federal offense that U.S....
Bringing your marijuana on out-of-state trip breaks federal law
You could decide you want to take a weekend trip to Chicago to make the most of a short break from work. Now that Michigan has fully rolled out its marijuana legalization program with recreational dispensaries open all over the state, people have started to take the...
Thinking about blowing the whistle on your boss? Don’t get your hands dirty
You’re pretty sure your boss is breaking the law -- maybe overbilling Medicare for services, billing for services they never performed or something equally illegal. You’re thinking of blowing the whistle, even though you know that it will likely cost you your job and...
Unauthorized access of a computer: What you need to know
Electronic devices increasingly rule the world in which we live. Everything someone knows, all their communications, company secrets and more are often tucked into files on laptops, tablets and smartphones. It’s very tempting, at times, to peek into one of those...
Legalization of marijuana in Michigan could put you at risk of federal charges
When voters in Michigan decided to legalize first medical and then recreational marijuana, they did so in part to end the arrest and incarceration of marijuana users. However, state-level legalization does not give you a free pass to do whatever you want with...