In the wake of the recent tragedy resulting from a teenage sexual encounter in Huron Township, legal experts are saying that Michigan’s criminal sexual conduct laws should be reconsidered. Using felony offenses to punish an older teenage boy against a younger teenage girl (and vice versa) makes bad public policy.…
The Michigan Supreme Court has agreed to hear arguments concerning whether a homeless man who failed to comply with the sex crimes registration requirement can be charged with a violation. At issue – whether it is a due process violation to prosecute someone for failing to register their residence when…
Beginning this week, Michigan State Police will conduct a two week sex offender sweep with the intended purpose of locating sex offenders who have failed to verify their addresses. Pursuant to the Michigan Sex Offender Registry Act (SORA) individuals convicted of crimes of a sexual nature are forced to register…
According to the Detroit News, a Wayne County jury has found a Detroit minister not guilty of all charges stemming from an arrest for alleged statutory rape. A 16-year-old boy alleged that the minister had sex with him no less than three times when he was only 15. Michigan’s age…
The U.S. Supreme Court heard testimony on Tuesday in a nightmarish tale underscoring the devastating effect sex crimes allegations can have on individual’s reputation and livelihood. In Los Angeles County v. Humphries, a California couple seeks to recover damages against L.A. County for the failure to remove their names from…
Earlier this week a 39-year-old Dallas,Texas man – Stephen Brodie – was exonerated of the rape of a 5-year-old girl after a judge determined he was innocent. He was released the next day, and his dad was there to greet him as he exited the jail. On Monday, a judge…
A group of Grand Rapids parents are circulating petitions to allow them to participate in their children’s education through volunteering. At issue – past criminal convictions and the fact that some of the parent’s names are on the Sex Offender Registry. The Grand Rapids school district, as well as all…
A man lured into a sex sting has been found competent to stand trial and will appear Friday in Livingston County Circuit Court. The Detroit man was one of nine men caught in an undercover sex sting targeting individuals who use the internet to send pictures or explicit materials to…
Last month the Detroit Free Press ran a series exposing a serious problem affecting all of those interested in criminal justice – the overwhelming backlog of cases requiring biological testing – including DNA testing – which is often the key to freedom for those wrongfully accused and convicted. Today the…
According to the Detroit Free Press, the entire 6th Circuit Court of Appeals will review a 2001 rape conviction. At issue – rape shield laws. Specifically, under what circumstances can the sex life of alleged rape victim be used by the defense at trial. Generally, Michigan law excludes evidence of…