Judge throws out marijuana butter case
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — A Michigan judge has thrown out a case against two former corrections officers who were arrested and charged with possession of marijuana-infused butter.
Michael Frederick and Todd VanDoorne lost their jobs in Kent County after being charged in 2014 following a search of their homes. Both were registered under the state’s medical marijuana law to use the butter to control pain. Police allege they didn’t comply with the law.
Kent County Circuit Court Judge Dennis Leiber ruled on Tuesday that the early-morning, warrant-less search of the men’s homes violated their constitutional rights, even though both consented to the searches.
Leiber says the case can’t move forward because the evidence gathered during the search can’t be used in trial.
Prosecutor Chris Becker says he plans to appeal the decision.
FBA New Lawyer Seminar December 5-6
The Eastern District of Michigan Chapter of the Federal Bar Association presents a two-day seminar from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.on Tuesday, Dec. 5 and Wednesday, Dec. 6 at the Theodore Levin U.S. Courthouse, 231 W. Lafayette Blvd. in Detroit. Receive practice tips and real-world advice about law, procedure and strategy from Michigan’s top lawyers and judges. Registration fee is $125 per person and includes the two-day seminar, thumb drive presentation materials, luncheons, and a one-year local chapter membership (no refunds provided for cancellations after Nov. 28). Register at fbamich.org. Following the first day of the seminar, there will be a mass swearing-in ceremony to gain admission to practice in the Eastern District of Michigan.
For more information and for seminar agenda, visit fbamich.org.
New guide to legal help
There’s a new tool available for people looking for legal help or information – the Guide to Legal Help on MichiganLegalHelp.org. The Guide gives visitors referrals and legal information tailored to their legal problem and the resources available to them.
The Guide to Legal Help has many important uses. It can help someone identify and describe a legal problem so they can easily talk about it with advocates, lawyers, or court staff. The Guide directs them to legal information on the Michigan Legal Help website where they can learn more about their legal problem. If they choose, they can use the tools there to easily create necessary court forms.
Most importantly, the Guide gives visitors tailored referrals to Legal Aid or private bar referral services. Legal Aid offices around the state are limited in how many people they can help, and often would-be clients are frustrated when they spend time talking with Legal Aid but can’t get help. The Guide to Legal Help refers people with legal problems to the most appropriate resources for them given their circumstances and the available options in their community. The Guide to Legal Help also refers people to mediation options where appropriate, and to online dispute resolution options where these are available. It also refers visitors to other resources such as foreclosure housing counselors, government agencies, and domestic violence shelters.
To see the Guide in action, visit MichiganLe galHelp.org and use one of the many on-ramps to access it.
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