Grand Rapids, Michigan Legal Blog
How long an SSD appeal takes to complete
Social security disability insurance (SSDI) benefits are essential lifeblood for many people. It can be the sole source of income that someone has to pay for their bills and other essentials. Despite how primary this benefit is for so many people, the Social Security...
A Routine Traffic Stop Goes to the Supreme Court
Depending on who you ask, a recent Supreme Court ruling is either a significant, if not a draconian shift in search-and-seizure cases that violates drivers’ privacy rights or keeping roads safe when it comes to a police officer’s handling of traffic stops. The...
Understanding the disability appeals process
Countless Americans apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) every year. Sadly, the majority of applicants get rejected. Whether it's due to income qualifications or missing information on their forms, receiving a denial notice can be devastating. That's...
Is Violating a Website’s Terms and Services Criminal Hacking?
Those who have taken the time to read websites' terms of service may be more the exception than the rule. Most people accept the terms and move on, not giving any thought into whether or not they are violating their terms. Terms and services for most websites spell...
Mugshots: Archaic, Problematic and Unfair
There was a time not long ago when part of a post office’s décor featured pictures of men and women who were evading capture by the police. While waiting in line, customers could see law enforcement’s “most wanted.” The daily newspaper would also print these...
What can you expect from an SSDI hearing?
If your application for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) was denied, you’re not alone. The truth is that more applications are denied than approved, especially in the early stages. But you don’t need to accept that early denial. According to its 2018 annual...
How reliable are field sobriety tests to assess OWI?
The Standard Field Sobriety Test (SFST) is used by police in Michigan to help determine whether a driver is drunk. The tests were created to measure a driver’s balance and coordination, as well as their ability to focus while an officer gives instructions. While some...
What happens when police officers lie?
According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, there are just over three-quarter million sworn law enforcement officers in the United States. Most of them do a good job. They honor their vows to serve and protect their communities. Others, however, do not. An...
Can you get charged with an OWVI for taking your meds?
Everyone knows you can get a DWI for driving drunk. Most people also agree that it’s good to keep the roads clear of drunk drivers. But did you know that Michigan can turn the same laws against you if you get pulled over after taking your prescription meds? It’s true....
What happens when you’re caught driving with a suspended license?
Driving is often a necessary, if not enjoyable, activity. Whether you’re commuting or tearing up backroads on weekends, motoring can be an easy and fun way of traveling from place to place. Yet it’s easy to forget that it’s a privilege, not a right. You may have...
