A federal circuit judge writes that Detroit’s vehicle seizure scheme
“is simply a money-making venture—one most often used to extort money from those who can least afford it.”
A panel of federal appellate judges ruled that Detroit’s practice of seizing people’s cars for months before allowing them to contest the seizure violates vehicle owners’ 14th Amendment right to due process.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit, agreeing with a lower U.S. district court, found that Michigan’s Wayne County, which includes Detroit,
“violated that Constitution when it seized plaintiffs’ personal vehicles—which were vital to their transportation and livelihoods—with no timely process to contest the seizure.”
The 6th Circuit’s ruling mandates that Wayne County must conduct a court hearing for car owners post-seizure within a two-week timeframe.
Wayne County will probably spend two weeks looking for a loophole.
Legal Counsel and Your Rights
When facing legal challenges, particularly in criminal cases, it is advisable to seek legal counsel immediately.
An experienced attorney can provide guidance on how to navigate interactions with law enforcement while safeguarding your constitutional rights.
Since 1993 our expert legal defense in navigating criminal law matters and protecting your constitutional rights are what we eat for breakfast everyday.
Contact Komorn Law PLLC if you’re ready to fight and win.
Research us and then call us.
More Rights You Should Know
The “Automobile Exception” in Michigan law
The "automobile exception" in Michigan law allows police to search a vehicle without a warrant if they have probable cause to believe it contains evidence of a crime.This exception is grounded in the idea that vehicles are inherently mobile, meaning evidence could be...
SCOTUS Decision Gives Starbucks a Win in Labor Dispute
The decision underscored the principle that only activities that are essential and directly related to an employee's primary job responsibilities are subject to compensation. In a recent decision by the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS), Starbucks received a...
Other Articles
Qualifying for a Public Defender in Michigan
In Michigan, individuals charged with a crime have the constitutional right to legal representation.In Michigan, individuals charged with a crime have the constitutional right to legal representation. For those unable to afford a private attorney, the state provides...
Michigan Record Expungement Information
Am I eligible to apply to expunge a criminal record? Is it automatic?So your new girlfriend has a criminal record and you can't get that apartment together. If that's really what you want to do, then here's some information to get that record expunged. What is an...
Drones – What Drones? Update
Drone story update January 28, 2025 NJ drones 'were authorized to be flown by FAA for research,' Donald Trump says The mysterious drones that captivated New Jersey late last year were not enemy craft, but instead were authorized by the FAA, President Donald Trump said...
Terry Stop and Refusal to Identify Yourself to Police
Because this is how it always goes...This is the second part of this post. Read this first - Just Because You're Hanging Out in a High Crime Area Doesn't Make You Suspicious.Standard for Investigatory Detentions / Terry Stops Under Terry v Ohio and other well...
Just Because You’re Hanging Out in a High Crime Area Doesn’t Make You Suspicious
Mere presence in a “high crime” area does not provide particularized suspicion of criminal activity for an investigatory detention.People vs Prude In People v Prude, Prude was in a parked vehicle at an apartment complex that was regularly patrolled by police because...
Gun buyback program – Michigan
There's another bounty to be claimed besides turning in your neighbor.Defined here in HB6144 can mean so many things... “firearm” means any weapon that will, is designed to, or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by action of an explosiveEntrepreneurs get...
Sextortion – Michigan
Sextortion - Extortion with an S.Michigan House Bills 5887 and 5888 make sextortion illegal in Michigan. The law defines sextortion as a threat to create or disseminate sexually explicit images or videos of another person to coerce them. The new law makes a first...
Earned Sick Time Act – 2025 New Laws in Effect for Michigan
Some laws in effect in 2025 "Enacted by the People of Michigan" Here we go...remember these laws can change at any moment because that's what the politicians do that you don't.Earned Sick Time Act Because everyone is sick...sometimes Read more on your own time.AN ACT...
