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Wednesday, November 26, 2014
By Michael Nichols
Categories: Michael J. Nichols, Drunk-Driving, OWI
As friends reunite from all over the country in MIchigan cities from East Lansing to Lansing; Grand Rapids; Flint and all over, cops are out in full force. Mike Nichols has some suggestions: "the officers will be making stops on a quota basis tonight so that means equipment violations, "lane" violations even dangling objects from the rearview mirror are going to lead to stops by officers," he says. Nichols adds that is important not to make admissions: "the officer may say that he can smell alcohol on your breath but alcohol does not have a smell."
One of the least known reasons to stop a vehicle is a "plate obstruction." However, the law recently was clarified by the MIchigan Court of Appeals. Nichols says "in the case 'People v Dunbar,' the Court held that the plate actually has to be obstructed from the officer; the mere presence of a tow ball or a plate cover is not enough," Nichols says.
Nichols and the lawyers at the NIchols Law Firm are researching the latest developments in the Constitutional jurisprudence of the United States Supreme Court and MIchigan Appellate courts in anticipation of the "biggest bar night" of the year. Nichols says above all else, do not panic if you are stopped: "be respectful of the officer and if he or she arrests you; keep calm and lawyer up." For the lawyers on the cutting edge of the law and who are committed to results, contact the Nichols Law Firm at 517.432.9000.