Facial Recognition and Wrongful Arrests

Facial Recognition and Wrongful Arrests

Facial Recognition

How Technology Can Lead to Mistaken-Identity Arrests

Facial recognition technology has become increasingly prevalent in law enforcement, but its use raises critical questions about civil liberties and accuracy. One landmark case sheds light on the potential pitfalls of this technology and its impact on individuals’ rights.

The Robert Williams Case in Detroit

In 2020, Robert Williams, a Detroit resident, experienced firsthand the flaws of facial recognition technology. Falsely identified as a theft suspect, Williams was wrongfully arrested by the Detroit Police Department. His case marked the first publicized instance in the United States where facial recognition led to an erroneous arrest

The city of Detroit has agreed to compensate him $300,000 for being falsely accused of shoplifting and has committed to revising the use of facial recognition technology by the police to enhance crime-solving efforts.

As per a lawsuit settlement with Robert Williams, his driver’s license photo was mistakenly identified as a potential match to an individual captured on security footage at a Shinola watch store in 2018.

The agreement mandates that Detroit police will evaluate cases involving facial recognition technology from 2017 to 2023. Authorities will promptly notify a prosecutor if an arrest occurs without verifiable evidence.

Attorney Michael Komorn

Attorney Michael Komorn

State / Federal Legal Defense

With extensive experience in criminal legal defense since 1993 from pre-arrest, District, Circuit, Appeals, Supreme and the Federal court systems.

KOMORN LAW (248) 357-2550

Policy Changes and Safeguards

The fallout from Williams’s arrest prompted significant policy changes within the Detroit Police Department:

No Arrests Based Solely on Facial Recognition: Detroit police can no longer make arrests or conduct photo lineups based solely on facial recognition results. Instead, they must combine facial recognition leads with traditional investigative methods to verify suspects’ involvement in a crime.

Enhanced Training: Officers now undergo additional facial recognition training to improve accuracy and responsible use of the technology.

Transparency: The department must disclose when facial recognition technology was used to make an arrest. Additionally, they must acknowledge the technology’s limitations and potential for misidentification.

Civil Liberties: These changes aim to prevent future misidentifications and protect civil liberties. Deputy Chief Franklin Hayes emphasized that facial recognition remains a valuable tool for both solving cases and exonerating innocent individual.

A Concerning Trend

Since then, several other cases of wrongful arrests stemming from facial recognition technology have been uncovered, shedding light on a concerning trend.

Some cities have banned the technology altogether, while others lack comprehensive policies. 

In the ever-changing landscape of technological advancements, finding the delicate balance between public safety and individual rights is paramount. The recent Robert Williams case serves as a poignant reminder that safeguarding civil liberties should always be the top priority in the realm of law enforcement technology.

And now for something completely different….

Michigan Law: False Report of Crime

According to MCL Section 750.411a, intentionally making a false report of a crime to law enforcement or emergency services is a crime. Depending on the severity, it can range from a misdemeanor to a felony.

For instance:
False report of a misdemeanor: Up to 93 days in jail or a $500 fine.
False report of a felony: Up to 4 years in prison or a $2,000 fine.
If the false report results in injury or death, the penalties escalate

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A deputy investigating a stolen car was shot to death Saturday night in Detroit in what Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard called an ambush.

Oakland County Sheriff’s Deputy Bradley Reckling, a detective, was following a stolen vehicle when several individuals exited the vehicle and shot Reckling in the head and chest, according to the agency’s preliminary investigation.

Reckling was following the 2022 Chevy Equinox after it was reported stolen earlier in the day from Red Oaks Waterpark in Madison Heights, Bouchard said at a Sunday news conference.

The sheriff office’s auto theft unit was looped in to look for the Equinox. Reckling was actively searching for and located the vehicle in Detroit and followed it in an unmarked vehicle. Two other detectives were nearby in their own vehicles.

The Equinox eventually stopped, individuals exited the vehicle and fired upon Reckling,” Bouchard said.

“It was an ambush,” Bouchard said.

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Attorney Michael Komorn

Attorney Michael Komorn

State / Federal Legal Defense

With extensive experience in criminal legal defense since 1993 from pre-arrest, District, Circuit, Appeals, Supreme and the Federal court systems.

KOMORN LAW (248) 357-2550

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We did not post any pictures depicting the results of abuse because it is horrifying. If you must see – Google for images of Krokodil.

Authorities are warning to be cautious of desomorphine, also known as krokodil, a semi-synthetic opioid that mirrors the effects of heroin and is notorious for causing users to develop scaly, green, and decaying skin.

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Attorney Michael Komorn

Attorney Michael Komorn

State / Federal Legal Defense

With extensive experience in criminal legal defense since 1993 from pre-arrest, District, Circuit, Appeals, Supreme and the Federal court systems.

KOMORN LAW (248) 357-2550

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$700 Million Settlement Against Johnson and Johnson – What’s Your Cut?

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Attorney General Nessel Reaches $700 Million Settlement Against Johnson and Johnson

Your mom and your dad have been covering you with Johnson and Johnson powder since you were a baby. There was always a cloud of powder in the air as they slapped it on you.

It got all over your face and hands and you both carried it throughout the house.  You could taste it because it got in your mouth from breathing it in.  You’ve been using it all your life, you still have some in your closet. You still use it today.

What’s your cut of the $700 Million and why didn’t they ban it from use long ago? 

Attorney Michael Komorn

Attorney Michael Komorn

State / Federal Legal Defense

With extensive experience in criminal legal defense since 1993 from pre-arrest, District, Circuit, Appeals, Supreme and the Federal court systems.

KOMORN LAW (248) 357-2550

Here is the news release from the government.

Attorney General Nessel Reaches $700 Million Settlement Against Johnson and Johnson

June 11, 2024

LANSING – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and 42 other attorneys general reached a $700 million nationwide settlement to resolve allegations related to the marketing of Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder and body powder products that contained talc.

The consent judgment (PDF) filed in this lawsuit addresses allegations that Johnson & Johnson deceptively promoted and misled consumers in advertisements related to the safety and purity of some of its talc powder products. As part of the lawsuit, Johnson & Johnson has agreed to stop the manufacture and sale of its baby powder and body powder products that contain talc in the United States.

“Product safety should be a top priority for every company in every sector, but especially an historic, trusted brand selling baby care products,” said Nessel. “Misleading Michigan consumers will not be tolerated, no matter how large or well-known the corporate perpetrator. We will stand up for consumer safety in our state, and I’m appreciative for our many bipartisan partners on this litigation throughout the country.”

Johnson & Johnson sold such products for more than 100 years. After the coalition of states began investigating, the company stopped distributing and selling these products in the United States and more recently ended global sales. While this lawsuit targeted the deceptive marketing of these products, numerous other lawsuits filed by private plaintiffs in class actions raised allegations that talc causes serious health issues including mesothelioma and ovarian cancer.

Under the consent judgment, Johnson & Johnson:

  • Has ceased and not resumed the manufacturing, marketing, promotion, sale, and distribution of all baby and body powder products and cosmetic powder products that contain talcum powder, including, but not limited to, Johnson’s Baby Powder and Johnson & Johnson’s Shower to Shower (“Covered Products”) in the United States.
  • Shall permanently stop the manufacture of any Covered Products in the United States either directly, or indirectly through any third party.
  • Shall permanently stop the marketing and promotion of any Covered Products in the United States either directly, or indirectly through any third party.
  • Shall permanently stop the sale or distribution of any Covered Products in the United States either directly, or indirectly through any third party.

As part of the settlement, Michigan will receive $20,615,040.58. This settlement is pending judicial approval.

Michigan is joined on the multistate settlement by the attorneys general of Texas, Florida, and North Carolina, as well as Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

Read it Consent Judgement PDF

  • Where does the money go?
  • Are you eligible for some of that government windfall?
  • How do you prove that you used the powder and the link to your disease?
  • Got a lifetime of receipts?
  • Got pictures of you using it daily?

Here are some possible answers at Forbes.com

The answer is millions of consumers will pay more for products and J&J will make it up in a year and probably another robbery just occured.

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