In The News

In The News

Entries for March 2010

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Former Ingham county judge to be defended again by The Nichols Law Firm

Categories: Drunk-Driving, OWI

The Nichols Law Firm is investigating the charges against their client and preparing her defense.

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Monday, March 29, 2010

Facing Multiple Felony Drug Charges - Client Walks Away with a Chance at a Clean Record

Categories: Michael J. Nichols, Drug Crimes

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Monday, March 29, 2010

Can A Conviction Be Set Aside When The Conviction Results In License Sanctions?

Categories: Michael J. Nichols

A conviction may be set aside (also called “expunged) under MCL 780.621 et seq. so long as it is not a prohibited offense. The statute of course, does not establish the right to set aside a conviction but enables a defendant to Petition the Court to Set Aside a conviction once five years passes from the date of sentencing or the last day of incarceration.

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Thursday, March 25, 2010

License Sanctions Can Extend Beyond Michigan Borders

Categories: Drunk-Driving, OWI

Imagine this: you’re a Michigan State University Student, with finals fast approaching. As if school wasn’t stressful enough, you make the mistake of having “one too many”. You then get convicted and sentenced for “Drunk Driving”. You know that the Michigan Secretary of State is going to sanction your Michigan driving privileges. But, what does it really matter since you’re originally from some other State (Virginia, for example)? It matters a lot more than most people realize.

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Friday, March 19, 2010

Watch news broadcast of Michael Nichols speaking on DUI’s

Categories: Michael J. Nichols, Drunk-Driving, OWI

Watch Mike Nichols give his thoughts on personal sobriety tests.

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Monday, March 15, 2010

Are Substance Abuse Assessments Appropriate Bond Conditions?

Categories: Michael J. Nichols, Drunk-Driving, OWI

The flavor of the month for dealing with suspected drunk drivers in extreme cases like felonies, accidents involving injury or death, even some 1st time defendants with an extremely high BrAC or BAC seems to be ordering the defendant to undergo a substance abuse assessment.

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Monday, March 15, 2010

The Judge will not Grant Bond for Me in My Michigan-Criminal-Case. What Do I Do?

Categories: Michael J. Nichols

Judges are constrained in most Michigan-criminal-cases when it comes to setting bond. The Michigan constitution, statute and court rule on bond requires that the judge set bond either with no money up front, a sufficient amount to assure your appearance or a combination of money up front and conditions that are the least restrictive on your freedom but also assure the safety of any member of the community.

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Monday, March 15, 2010

Detroit News quotes Mike Nichols on attorney fees in Michigan

Categories: Michael J. Nichols

Read the article from The Detroit News.

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Monday, March 15, 2010

Fred Bell will mentor for new Veterans Court

Attorney Fred Bell will participate as a mentor for Defendants taking advantage of the new Veterans Court established for Ingham County and operating from 54B District Court in East Lansing.

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Friday, March 5, 2010

Just Say "NO" to Taking a PBT

Categories: Drunk-Driving

Law enforcement can no longer require someone to take a preliminary breath test (pbt) in the State of Michigan when investigating a potential violation of the minor in possession (MIP) statute. In People v Chowdury, 285 Mich App 509 (2009), the Court of Appeals adopted prior rulings in 2 cases by a federal judge in Bay City. That ruling held that the administration of a pbt is a search for purposes of the 4th Amendment. The ruling also held that a police officer must have either a search warrant or an exigent circumstance in order to require a citizen to submit to a pbt.

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Friday, March 5, 2010

Ignition Interlocking Device for Alcohol and Driving Related Offenses In Eaton County

Categories: Drunk-Driving

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Monday, March 1, 2010

Nichols Law Firm Client Gets Support from the Lansing State Journal

Categories: Michael J. Nichols

The Lansing State Journal launched an editorial in opposition of the Ingham County Prosecuting Attorney and in support of a client of the Nichols Law Firm.

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Monday, March 1, 2010

My Son or Daughter has been charged with Minor-In-Possession in Michigan...what do I do?

Categories: Minor in Possession

The Michigan Legislature passed very strict laws that criminalize minor in possession. If you have a son or daughter who is ticket for minor in possession that means that he or she was charged with a crime.

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Peer Recognition

Mike Nichols is a national leader in drunk driving defense. He is a member of the Forensic Committee and Michigan delegate to the National College for DUI Defense. He is also a Sustaining Member of the College. Nichols is also a founding member of the Michigan Association of OWI Attorneys; a member of the American Chemical Society; an associate member of he American Academy of Forensic Science, Adjunct Professor of Forensic Evidence in Criminal Law and OWI Law and Practice at Cooley Law School. He is also author of the West OWI Practice book and several chapters in other books on science and the law.

Mike Nichols is recognized by his peers in Michigan as a “SuperLawyer” in DUI/Criminal Defense. Nichols has also been asked to speak at conferences by groups such as the NCDD; Various Bar Associations in other states.