Michigan: A Case in Criminal Justice Reform
As the Republican House and Senate leadership disagree on the prospects of criminal justice reform during an election year, Michigan is quietly joining the ranks of states that have…
Moral Hazard in Flint, Michigan
Updated March 8, 2016. The city of Flint, Michigan is, in short, a mess. The city is broke, and because of corrosive water from the Flint River, the water supply…
So the State of Michigan Walks into a Bar
If you seek a pleasant beer, look about you. That is what Michigan’s state motto should be. Home to the world’s third and fifth best breweries, the Great Lakes…
Civil Forfeiture Reform Bills Pass Unanimously in Michigan Senate
On Wednesday, Michigan’s state Senate unanimously approved legislation consisting of seven reform bills aimed at raising the evidentiary standard of proof from a “preponderance of evidence” to “clear and convincing…
Michigan Voters Overwhelmingly Support Changes to Forfeiture Laws
In 1988, John Bennis was convicted of indecency in the state of Michigan for engaging with a prostitute in his car. He was fined a mere $250 for the incident,…
Michigan Senate committee moves protections for innocent property owners a step closer to passage
The Michigan Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously approved seven of eight civil asset forfeiture reform bills on Wednesday. The bills, which have been endorsed by a 10,000-member law enforcement…
Michigan police endorse reforms to protect innocent property owners from government overreach
Abuse of civil asset forfeiture laws can harm law enforcement’s vital relationships with communities, especially at a time when their activities are coming under heightened scrutiny. Realizing this, the Michigan…
Reforms to protect innocent property owners from government overreach awaiting action in the Michigan Senate
In February, just after the start of the 2015 legislative session, Michigan House Republicans rolled out their action plan for the year. Among the issues included in the action…
New report shows how Michigan can save millions through justice reform
In May, Gov. Rick Snyder rolled out his priorities to create a smart justice system in Michigan by proposing a series of reforms that have been successful in other states.
GOP-controlled Michigan House passes a comprehensive civil asset forfeiture reform package
On Thursday, the Michigan House of Representatives passed a bipartisan package of eight bills that would overhaul the state’s civil asset forfeiture laws to offer more protections for innocent property…