Judges in Seattle have decided to vacate the marijuana convictions of hundreds of people who were penalized for pot possession before the state made marijuana legal in 2012.
According to the Seattle Times, in April, city attorney Pete Holmes filed a motion asking the city’s seven municipal court judges to vacate the convictions of anyone charged with misdemeanor possession between 1996 and 2010. Holmes, who was elected in 2010, decided to stop prosecuting minor marijuana offenses when he took office.
“Inasmuch as the conduct for which the defendant was convicted is no longer criminal,” read the judges’ order, “setting aside the conviction and dismissing the case serves the interests of justice.”
Have you been charged with a drug crime or violation of the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act? Remain Silent and Contact Komorn Law Immediately to protect your rights and freedom 800-656-3557.
On Monday, all seven judges passed theorder (pdf).
The order also noted:
Possession of Marijuana charges prosecuted in Seattle Municipal Court between 1996 and 2010 disproportionally impacted persons of color in general, and the African American community in particular. Of the over 500 cases involved in this motion, the racial demographics of defendants were: 3% Asian, 46% black, 46% white, 3% Native American, 2% unknown. The Court makes no finding that these numbers are 100% accurate, or that individual defendants were specifically impacted because of their race.
City officials estimate that 542 people will be affected by the motion. Those affected by the order will be notified by mail and will have 33 days to object to having the charge removed or request an individualized filing. Those who want the charges removed from their records will have to do absolutely nothing.
“For too many who call Seattle home, a misdemeanor marijuana conviction or charge has created barriers to opportunity—good jobs, housing, loans and education,” said Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan,
Komorn Law has represented numerous clients through the legal chaos of starting up a business in the Michigan Medical Marihuana Industry.
If you or someone you know is facing charges as a result of Medical Marijuana, DUI, Drugs, Forfeiture, Criminal Enterprise, etc. Please contact our office and ensure you’re defended by an experienced lawyer in the evolving laws.
Lead attorney Michael Komorn is recognized as an expert on the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act. He is the President of the Michigan Medical Marijuana Association (MMMA), a nonprofit patient advocacy group which advocates for the rights of medical marijuana patients and their caregivers.
Contact us for a free no-obligation case evaluation 800-656-3557.
An interesting read about a 5 year trend (2013-2017) accident and crash trends for drivers who admitted they were using cellphone. There is a link toward the bottom of the page to the PDF which has some detailed statistics with a pretty picture. But you’ll read most of it here.
Michigan Traffic Crash Facts
Cell phone use can be a distraction for the driver, the bicyclist, and the pedestrian. Cell phone use in crashes is measured by reported use, which is recorded by the police officer at the scene of the crash.
2017 Traffic Crash Data
A total of 3,099 crashes occurred in Michigan where a motor vehicle driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist was using a cell phone. Twenty-one of those crashes involved a fatality.
A total of 3,076 motor vehicle drivers, 25 pedestrians, and nine bicyclists were reported to be using cell phones in the 3,099 crashes.
Of the 25 pedestrians using a cell phone, three pedestrians were killed, six suffered a suspected serious injury, ten suffered a suspected minor injury, and five suffered a possible injury.
Of the 3,076 motor vehicle drivers using cell phones, 618 (20.1%) were 20 years of age or younger.
There were 1,490 (48.1%) rear-end crashes where a driver was using a cell phone.
Charged with distracted driving or driving under the influence of marijuana or alcohol? Contact Komorn Law for a free case evaluation800-656-3557.
Of the total 3,099 crashes involving cell phone use, 609 (19.7%) also involved a lane departure.
Of the total 3,099 crashes involving cell phone use, 1,236 (39.9%) were intersection related.
There were 3,076 motor vehicle drivers using a cell phone in crashes: 2,713 passenger cars, 292 pickup trucks, 28 trucks or buses over 10,000 lbs., 11 small trucks under 10,000 lbs., ten vans or motorhomes, one motorcycle, four vehicle types coded as “other,” and 17 uncoded and errors.
*In 2016, the data field measuring cell phone use was changed to include multiple distraction elements. Increases in the number of cell phone crashes in 2016 and future years may be the result of the police report change.
Komorn Law has represented numerous clients through the legal chaos of starting up a business in the Michigan Medical Marihuana Industry.
If you or someone you know is facing charges as a result of Medical Marijuana, DUI, Drugs, Forfeiture, Criminal Enterprise, etc. Please contact our office and ensure you’re defended by an experienced lawyer in the evolving laws.
Lead attorney Michael Komorn is recognized as an expert on the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act. He is the President of the Michigan Medical Marijuana Association (MMMA), a nonprofit patient advocacy group which advocates for the rights of medical marijuana patients and their caregivers.
Contact us for a free no-obligation case evaluation 800-656-3557.
An interesting read about a 5 year trend (2013-2017) accident and crash trends for drivers who tested positive for cannabinoid drug. There is a link toward the bottom of the page to the PDF which has very detailed statistics.
Michigan State Police (MSP)
Drivers Tested Positive for Cannabinoid Drugs
(Delta 9, Hashish Oil, Hashish, Marijuana/Marihuana, Marinol, Tetrahydrocannabinols, THC, or Cannabinoid, type unknown)
2017 Traffic Crash Data
There were 174 drivers who tested positive for cannabinoid drug use involved in 169 motor vehicle crashes. Of those crashes, 131 were classified as fatal, resulting in 144 fatalities. An additional 156 persons were injured.
The highest number of motor vehicle crashes with drivers who tested positive for cannabinoid drug use (19) occurred in April and May, and the highest number of fatal crashes (17)and persons killed (19) occurred in May.
Charged with driving under the influence of marijuana or alcohol? Contact Komorn Law for a free case evaluation800-656-3557.
Michigan driver statistics indicate 6.5 percent of licensed drivers who tested positive for using cannabinoid drugs were age 16-20, and 16.7 percent of drivers who tested positive for using cannabinoid drugs in crashes were also in that age group.
Komorn Law has represented numerous clients through the legal chaos of starting up a business in the Michigan Medical Marihuana Industry.
If you or someone you know is facing charges as a result of Medical Marijuana, DUI, Drugs, Forfeiture, Criminal Enterprise, etc. Please contact our office and ensure you’re defended by an experienced lawyer in the evolving laws.
Lead attorney Michael Komorn is recognized as an expert on the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act. He is the President of the Michigan Medical Marijuana Association (MMMA), a nonprofit patient advocacy group which advocates for the rights of medical marijuana patients and their caregivers.
Contact us for a free no-obligation case evaluation 800-656-3557.
The proposed ballot language for marijuana legalization in the state of Michigan appears finished.
It will appear asproposal 1 on the November general ballot.
In April, the Michigan Board of State Canvassers approved a petition to legalize the recreational use of marijuana in the state of Michigan.
After the state legislature failed to take up the petition it would be put on the ballot for citizens to vote.
A proposed initiated law to authorize possession, use and cultivation of marijuana products by individuals who are at least 21 years of age and older, and commercial sales of marijuana through state-licensed retailers
This proposal would:
Allow individuals age 21 and older to purchase, possess and use marijuana and marijuana-infused edibles, and grow up to 12 marijuana plants for personal consumption.
Impose a 10-ounce limit for marijuana kept at residences and require that amounts over 2.5 ounces be secured in locked containers.
Create a state licensing system for marijuana businesses including growers, processors, transporters, and retailers.
Allow municipalities to ban or restrict marijuana businesses.
Permit commercial sales of marijuana and marijuana-infused edibles through state-licensed retailers, subject to a new 10% tax earmarked for schools, roads, and municipalities where marijuana businesses are located.
Komorn Law has represented numerous clients through the legal chaos of starting up a business in the Michigan Medical Marihuana Industry.
If you or someone you know is facing charges as a result of Medical Marijuana, DUI, Drugs, Forfeiture, Criminal Enterprise, etc. Please contact our office and ensure you’re defended by an experienced lawyer in the evolving laws.
Lead attorney Michael Komorn is recognized as an expert on the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act. He is the President of the Michigan Medical Marijuana Association (MMMA), a nonprofit patient advocacy group which advocates for the rights of medical marijuana patients and their caregivers.
Contact us for a free no-obligation case evaluation 800-656-3557.
Marijuana legalization advocates in Delaware didn’t get their way this year, as a long-debated bill to grant their wish failed.
But in Delaware, which decriminalized possession of less than an ounce of pot three years ago the lawmakers have taken steps to assist users who were F’d in the A by police.
The bill that passed in the General Assembly session last Sunday morning, nearly 1,300 people with a single conviction of marijuana possession or use could get an automatic expungement, according to data from the Delaware Criminal Justice Information System. (Only Nearly 1300 ?)
Legal advisers are reviewing the bill and Gov. John Carney is expected to sign it into law.
Those ticketed for simple marijuana possession since 2015 have received a civil violation and a fine. Those convicted prior to the change in the law have a criminal record (Really)
Only those charged with a single misdemeanor charge of possession or use before 2015 — and have no other criminal convictions for any crime — are eligible for the automatic expungement. The measure would not apply to charges that were reduced from a felony.
Under current law, adults cannot apply for an expungement unless they’re not convicted or are pardoned. — (Age Discrimination?)
But now they are guaranteed an expungement as long as they apply and pay the $75 fee (LOL $$$).
The new law could help people who had the unfortunate luck of being caught and has labeled them as criminals when applying in the job market (get them back to paying taxes…please).
“What you have to do today is apply and go for a pardon, which takes money and time and isn’t guaranteed. And if you did get a pardon you have to apply for the expungement, which takes time and money (again LOL $$$).