Catchick Law » Criminal Law

Hundreds of mandatory-life teen defendants eligible for re-sentencing

admin — Wed, 06 Apr 2016 14:51:27 +0000

The State is wrestling with how to re-sentence hundreds of Michigan defendants who were ordered as teens to serve mandatory life in prison without parole. In 2012, the U. S. Supreme Court ruled that sentencing a person under 18 to life in prison without parole constituted cruel and unusual punishment, and local counties are now faced with the financial hardship and emotional turmoil of having to re-sentence the offenders. Supporters of the re-sentencing point to numerous scientific studies showing the inability of teen brains to consider the long-term consequences of their actions.

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Michigan Supreme Court declines to review questionable search

admin — Mon, 04 Jan 2016 21:30:23 +0000

The Michigan Supreme Court has declined to review a Michigan Court of Appeals decision allowing Kenyon Robertson to stand Trial, despite questions about the search leading to his arrest. Back in July 2012, the Pontiac police received an anonymous tip that a “Leroy Jackson” had heroin at a local bus stop. At the time, Leroy Jackson was accompanied by Kenyon Robertson, but the tip did not mention Mr. Robertson. When the police went to arrest Leroy Jackson on an outstanding warrant, Mr. Robertson provided an incorrect I.D. card, and “acted nervous.” The police handcuffed Mr. Roberson. A police dog “alerted” on Mr. Robertson, but no drugs were found on him. After questioning, Mr. Robertson admitted that he had earlier smoked marijuana with Leroy Jackson, and based on that response, the police searched Mr. Robertson again, and this time they found heroin on him. The Court of Appeals upheld the search, even though the anonymous tip never mentioned Mr. Robertson, and even though the initial drug-dog search of Mr. Robertson revealed no drugs.

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Threats on Social Media Could Lead to a Restraining Order

admin — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 19:34:47 +0000

“Orange is the New Black” and “That 70′s Show” star Laura Prepon was granted a Restraining Order after an obsessed fan left her an Instagram audio recording stating: “Get ready, violence is coming,” and the fan posted a picture of her with the caption: “Here is a picture of Laura Prepon my Wifey and Friend,” followed by several emojis, including a knife and a gun. This case illustrates how, in the Social Media age, Judges are more willing to grant Restraining Orders even without specific, immediate threats of violence.

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