“Data show these programs strengthen communities by reducing crime, boosting employment”

LANSING, MI, October 24, 2024 (Substance Abuse Prevention Month) – The Michigan Supreme Court announces that the State Court Administrative Office (SCAO) has awarded $18,823,910 million in grants for Fiscal Year 2025 to problem-solving court (PSC) programs statewide, including drug, mental health, and veterans treatment courts.

Data have consistently shown that these specialized programs lower crime and unemployment rates, and improve the quality of life of PSC graduates.

“When people ask me how trial courts engage with their communities and provide access to valuable resources, I initially point to problem-solving courts because these programs represent the best of what we do in the judiciary: save lives,” said Justice Kyra H. Bolden, who serves as the Court’s liaison to PSCs. “And we couldn’t do that without this critical state and federal grant funding that gives participants and their families a second chance.”

PSC grant totals and recipients by court type:

• Drug Courts $11,976,458                     (recipients)*
• Mental Health Courts $5,692,452          (recipients)*
• Veterans Treatment Courts $1,155,000  (recipients)*

Key findings in the FY 2023 PSC Annual Report:

• Graduates of adult drug court programs were, on average, 4 times less likely to be convicted of a new offense within three years of admission to a program
• Graduates of sobriety court programs were, on average, more than 3 times less likely to be convicted of a new offense within three years of admission to a program; those who used ignition interlock devices were 5 times less likely to reoffend within three years of admission.
• Unemployment dropped by 88 percent for sobriety court graduates and hybrid court (drug/sobriety) graduates.
• Adult circuit mental health court (MHC) graduates were on average nearly 2 times less likely to commit another crime within three years of admission to a program.
• Unemployment among adult circuit MHC graduates dropped by 88 percent.
• MHC graduates noted an average 99 percent improvement in mental health and quality of life improvement following completion of a program.
• Unemployment among VTC graduates dropped by 82 percent.
• Michigan remains a national leader with 28 VTCs.

Problem-solving courts are programs that focus on nonviolent offenders whose underlying issues, such as a substance use disorder or mental health diagnosis, have contributed to recurring involvement with the criminal justice system. In addition to funding, SCAO also provides these courts with operational support and resources, state certification, and training.

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Michigan House Bill 5451 of 2024: A Step Toward “Safer Communities”

Michigan House Bill 5451, introduced by Representative Sharon MacDonell in February 2024, aims to enhance firearm safety in homes with children.

The bill mandates that the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) create an informational notice in English, Spanish, and Arabic about safe firearm storage practices.

This notice would be distributed to the Department of Education (DOE) and shared with all public and nonpublic schools.

The informational notice would include:

• Overview of Michigan’s Safe Storage Law: A summary of the legal requirements for secure firearm storage, particularly in homes with children.
• Frequently Asked Questions: Answers to common questions about safe storage practices, such as the best types of gun safes or locks.
• Resources for Free or Low-Cost Gun Safes and Locks: Information on where parents and guardians can obtain these safety devices at little or no cost.

The goal of this legislation is to prevent accidental shootings and unauthorized access to firearms by minors. By providing clear and accessible information, the bill seeks to empower parents and guardians to make informed decisions about firearm safety.

Current Status

As of November 2024, House Bill 5451 has passed the House and is now being considered by the Michigan Senate. If the Senate approves the bill, it will be sent to the Governor for signature.

Current Bill 11/13/24

• House Bill 5451 of 2024 (PDF)
• House Bill 5450 of 2024 (PDF) (Tied to HB5451)
• Bill Sponsors

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Step by Step

Michigan House Bill 5450 of 2024 is a bill that was introduced by Representative Sharon MacDonell on February 14, 2024.

The bill was referred to the House Committee on Education and was reported with a recommendation with a substitute on May 14, 2024. The bill was then referred to second reading. On November 13, 2024, the bill was passed by the House.

The bill is an act to amend 1976 PA 451, entitled “The revised school code,” by adding section 1313a. The bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to develop and provide to the Department of Education an informational notice in English, Spanish, and Arabic containing information and best practices regarding the storage of firearms.

The notice must include an overview of the requirements under section 9 of 1927 PA 372, MCL 28.429, answers to frequently asked questions about firearm storage requirements, and guidance on where a parent or legal guardian can obtain gun locks and gun safes, including free or low-cost options.

The Department of Health and Human Services is also required to share the informational notice with all public schools and nonpublic schools.

The bill is currently in the Senate. If the bill is passed by the Senate, it will be sent to the Governor for signature. If the Governor signs the bill, it will become law.

Current Bill 11/13/24

• House Bill 5450 of 2024 (PDF)
• Bill Sponsors

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You work hard. Now get ready to work harder to prepare to give more.

President Biden’s administration has proposed the reclassification of marijuana from a Schedule I controlled substance to a Schedule III drug, which recognizes its medical benefits. This significant shift would not only have far-reaching implications for markets and consumers but would also enhance the potential for medical research into cannabis.

What has Trump said about cannabis?

Two months prior to the election, Trump released a statement that significantly aligned him with both the Biden administration and his opponent, Vice President Harris.

He affirmed that he supports legalizing the recreational use of marijuana.

“I believe it is time to end needless arrests and incarcerations of adults for small amounts of marijuana for personal use. We must also implement smart regulations, while providing access for adults, to safe, tested product.” he said in a post on Truth Social.

Trump expressed his support for Florida’s recreational cannabis ballot by indicating he would vote in favor of it even though the proposed amendment did not reach the required 60% threshold and he implied that Biden’s cannabis policy is likely to remain unchanged.

“As President, we will continue to focus on research to unlock the medical uses of marijuana to a Schedule 3 drug, and work with Congress to pass common sense laws, including safe banking for state authorized companies,” Trump said.

There’s much more good detail here at an article on the once great tax supported NPR site.

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You work hard. Now get ready to work harder to prepare to give more.

In Michigan, police can take your dashcam footage in specific situations, primarily when they believe it could serve as evidence in a criminal investigation.

Michigan law permits officers to seize personal property, like dashcam footage, if they have probable cause, a warrant, or if exceptions to the warrant requirement apply.

Here’s a breakdown of how and when police can take and use dashcam footage.

Legal Basis for Seizing Dashcam Footage

Under the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and Article I, Section 11 of the Michigan Constitution, searches and seizures are generally considered unreasonable without a warrant.

However, there are several exceptions that allow police to seize dashcam footage without first obtaining a warrant:

• Probable Cause with a Warrant: Police typically need a warrant based on probable cause to seize dashcam footage. The officer must convince a judge that the footage likely contains evidence of a crime. Under MCL 780.651, Michigan law provides procedures for issuing search warrants for personal property believed to contain evidence of criminal activity.

• Consent: If you voluntarily hand over your dashcam or footage, the police do not need a warrant. Consent is a common way police legally acquire dashcam recordings.

• Exigent Circumstances: Police can seize dashcam footage without a warrant if there’s an immediate threat of evidence destruction or if a delay might harm others or impede justice. Exigent circumstances might apply in cases like drunk driving or hit-and-run incidents where the footage could be overwritten or lost.

• Search Incident to Arrest: If you’re lawfully arrested, officers may be able to seize property within your immediate reach, including dashcam footage, to prevent evidence tampering. The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Arizona v. Gant (2009) established guidelines for searches incident to arrest, emphasizing a connection between the arrest and the evidence sought.

Using Dashcam Footage as Evidence

Once seized lawfully, dashcam footage can be used as evidence against you in court. Courts allow video footage as a form of evidence if it is authentic and relevant to the case. For instance, in People v. Wood (Mich. App. 2018), dashcam footage from a police vehicle was successfully used to support DUI charges, setting a precedent for its evidentiary value.

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Watch Some Body Cam Footage Down Below

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