Civil forfeiture is meant to hit criminals in the pocketbook. But loopholes allow police to seize vehicles even when no charges result. Many are forced to pay $900 to get their cars back. Authorities collect millions in revenues.
Michigan Supreme Court
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan Supreme Court hearing on auto no-fault reform: What to know
The outcome of the case could have a major impact on the future of Michigan’s auto no-fault law.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan Democrats seek to codify LGBTQ civil-rights protections
Newly in power, Michigan Democrats are advancing a bill to protect against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Minimum wage increase set for February blocked by Michigan court
Minimum wage was expected to jump to $13.03 an hour, but a Thursday court ruling blocks the increase. The Michigan Supreme Court will likely settle the issue.
Posted inGuest Commentary
Opinion | A Michigan Supreme Court clerk’s exit and the power of redemption
Justice Richard Bernstein’s public attack on a fellow justice for hiring a clerk who once shot at police is a tacit admission that Bernstein doesn’t believe in the very system he is oathbound to defend. More than anyone else, Pete Martel gave me hope that the system was redeemable.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Flint water crisis charges dropped against former Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder
Snyder’s is the latest of eight dismissals in the Flint criminal case, after the Michigan Supreme Court rejected the legal path Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office used to secure indictments.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan Supreme Court ends suit over 2020 election results in Antrim County
A two-year legal fight that sparked global conspiracies about voting machines ends as the court rejects a lawsuit from former GOP attorney general candidate Matthew DePerno.
Posted inMichigan Government
Gerrymandering never died in Michigan. It still haunts county boards, foes say
Voters created an independent panel in 2018 to draw fairer lines for state races. Partisans, though, still control the process for counties, and some commissions clearly favor one party.
Posted inMichigan Government
Kyra Harris Bolden makes history with appointment to Michigan Supreme Court
The state representative from Southfield will become the first Black woman on the high court, succeeding outgoing Justice Bridget McCormack.
Posted inMichigan Government
Elizabeth Clement, a moderate on Michigan Supreme Court, named chief justice
A Republican nominee and swing vote on the court, Clement succeeds Chief Justice Bridget McCormack.