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Michigan Civil Rights Questions & Answers
2 Answers | Asked in Civil Rights for Michigan on
Q: Do you have to show police your CPL license if you are not suspected of a crime in Michigan.

And or Drivers License while carrying a firearm.

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Sep 21, 2023

The answer is within the licensing statutes. The prerequisite CPL class instructs people on their rights AND responsibilities under the law. Importantly, you are obligated to immediately disclose whether you are carrying concealed when approached by law enforcement. Failing to do so, or not having... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Civil Rights for Michigan on
Q: Do you have to show police your CPL license if you are not suspected of a crime in Michigan.

And or Drivers License while carrying a firearm.

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Sep 21, 2023

In Michigan, if you are carrying a concealed pistol on your person or in your vehicle, state law generally requires you to immediately disclose this fact to a police officer when you're stopped by one. This is required whether or not you are suspected of a crime. You are also typically... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights and Education Law for Michigan on
Q: Can I sue my school for neglect if they had a fire drill at 8:40am when it's 28° outside and the kids no jackets

Newberry mi Going to the store and noticed all the kids at the school were outside with no jacket on because they were having a fire drill at 8:40 in the morning when it was 28° outside .they are out there for 15 to 20 minutes. my kids are already sick as it is "sinuses" called the... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Sep 19, 2023

I assume this happened last winter, as to my knowledge, it's not been 28 degrees anywhere in lower Michigan yet this school year.

A few questions: what are your damages? Did your kid end up sicker? If you were aware that he was sick, why was he at school? Not trying to be funny, but...
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1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights, Education Law and Gov & Administrative Law for Michigan on
Q: Can I sue my middle school? I’m now 18 years old and feel like I can speak for myself and how badly this effected me.

When I was 12, I was charged with disturbance of peace and false terrorist threat. I warned another student about what I heard out of fear about someone “shooting the school on Monday”. Little did I know I was soon to be racially profiled being Arab as well as another girl, African American,... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Sep 9, 2023

Yes as an 18 year old you can file a lawsuit on your own behalf. Be aware that such lawsuits will take a lot of time (2-3 years) and cost you a lot of money (most likely $100,000+) and your chance of success is very low (<5%).

But, as an adult now, you are competent to make that...
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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Gov & Administrative Law and Civil Rights for Michigan on
Q: If a inmate in a correctional facility request to go into protective custody to avoid a confrontation with another inmat

And the guards refused to let him and tell him if he does so write him a ticket. Is that against the inmates rights?

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Aug 10, 2023

I think if something were to happen now, there's possible liability on the prison. Whether a denial of protective custody at this juncture is appropriate is very much a fact-dependent question. Prisons do not need to just place someone in protective custody just because they ask. Usually,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law and Civil Rights for Michigan on
Q: Can I get fired from my job for my spouse yelling at an employee?

In MI. I’m a manager. My significant other felt disrespected by an employee at my job. She looked through a window to say hi to another employee and saw him staring at her. She asked if there was a problem then he made shooing gestures. When I came outside she had her arms open yelling for him... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Jul 17, 2023

Potentially. Understand that an employer doesn't need to prove anything to fire you. They could take the position that your boyfriend had no other business being there but for you, and as a manager, you're held to a higher standard. Will they do it depends on a whole host of variables. It... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights and Contracts for Michigan on
Q: Hello, Does my spouse and I have to sign a liability release form to allows photos to be taken and used ANY way/ forever

We are going on a 5 day trip to Jamaica. My sister in law invited us as tag a longs via HER church. We paid for the air fare on our own. However, the church secured block rooms price. We paid that directly to Liberty Travel agency. We paid for travel and flight insurance directly to the travel... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Jul 10, 2023

If the dinner is optional - and I can't think of anyway they could make it mandatory even if they wanted to - then I think you have a choice to make: either go to the dinner and have a conversation about pictures before or during the dinner, or don't go to the dinner.

I would...
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1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights, Constitutional Law and Criminal Law for Michigan on
Q: Can I be charged with 2 counts of police officer assaulting resisting obstructing

Not sure how I can be charged we that why there are 2 counts is because there was 2 officers present my girlfriend called them on me for domestic violence when she's the one that bit me and wouldn't release when I asked her to so yes I had to slap her to get her to release then she was... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Jun 28, 2023

The devil is always in the details. Here, I suspect the police are going to testify that they issued commands to stop, etc. Hopefully there's body cams to support what you're saying about that.

The two counts of R&O would likely come from two officers present, HOWEVER, that...
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1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights for Michigan on
Q: How to file a section 1983 claim

Our daughter was murdered. Prosecuting attorny did not inform us of a court date at which a plea deal was put before the judge. Then lied to the judge and said that he met with us and discussed the plea. As a matter of fact, I tried to get him on the phone for over an hour and he refused to speak... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Jun 26, 2023

I am sorry to hear this. I don't think this is a 1983 claim though. Has the defendant been sentenced? If you haven't already, you should ask to speak with the elected prosecutor. And if the person hasn't been sentenced, you can certainly speak at sentencing about this. Unfortunately,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights and Public Benefits for Michigan on
Q: Can an agency require me to sign a release for them to request any and all personal and medical information and to share

I feel this vague release violates my privacy and I told them I would give them info that pertains to services but they are denying services til I sign.

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Jun 15, 2023

Many agencies require signed releases before engaging with services. The reason being is that they need complete information about you to provide services, and don't want to be in a position where they give you inaccurate information or the misguided services based only on what you disclose or... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights and Criminal Law for Michigan on
Q: How should I handle being stopped by an accusation of shoplifting when my ostomy bag is full?

I am an ostomate; there has been an increase in reports from fellow ostomates on support group sites of being stopped/accused of shoplifting when they have a full bag or bulges from a parastomal hernia. Some have resorted to exposing their body and/or medical device; some have even been poked in... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Jun 5, 2023

Great question! It's hard to give a "right" answer because there are a number of variables to consider...including the reality that some people simply lack empathy.

The simple answer is to do what probably comes naturally to you: if confronted, remain calm and explain that...
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1 Answer | Asked in Admiralty / Maritime, Civil Litigation and Civil Rights for Michigan on
Q: Is there a federal rule or code which prevents altering a settlement agreement that was put on record?

I entered into a settlement agreement, placed on record with a US magistrate judge. The government has written up a proposed stipulation. It has several pages of legal jargon and agreements that are not on record, and I do not agree to. I refuse to sign. He filed a motion to enforce the settlement,... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Mar 21, 2023

The issue is whether what was placed on the record and presented in writing is substantively the same. Often times, what is placed on the record is material terms of the agreement; the written agreement will contain the additional "legalise" that make it all work. Unless you can show a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights and Constitutional Law for Michigan on
Q: Can police personnel files be exempt from a FOIA request? I requested a officers personnel file and was denied.

MCL 15.243 sec 13 (1 ,s, ix) was used as reason for denial.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 2, 2023

It is possible for police personnel files to be exempt from a FOIA request depending on the specific laws and regulations of the state in question. In Michigan, MCL 15.243 sec 13 (1 ,s, ix) allows for exemption of certain information from public disclosure, including "[p]ersonnel records of... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights and Constitutional Law for Michigan on
Q: Would the rulling on warren v. District of Columbia make seatbelt laws unconstitutional therefore illegal?
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 2, 2023

No, the ruling in Warren v. District of Columbia does not make seatbelt laws unconstitutional or illegal. Warren v. District of Columbia is a case that involved a failure of the police to provide adequate protection to citizens, and the court held that the police do not have a constitutional duty... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Civil Rights for Michigan on
Q: The officer said he saw a Needle cap in my car and this was why he had reasonable suspicion to search the car

drugs found in a pill bottle in a purse and make up bag. I was the passenger of the vehicle and the driver had 2 Xanax on him. The car was mine. The needle cap is not in evidence.

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Nov 7, 2022

Had to say without reviewing the complete record of the stop and what else was going on with the driver. May be ripe for a motion to suppress. The fact the car was yours doesn't necessarily mean anything since you weren't driving.

2 Answers | Asked in Civil Rights, Employment Discrimination and Employment Law for Michigan on
Q: Can I get legal aid to recover damages due to disability discrimination and ADA violations by the City of Detroit.

I used to work for the City of Detroit, I had two emergency surgeries in May 2020, one to amputate my left foot and another surgery the next day to amputate my left leg below the knee due to contracting a flesh-eating bacteria that was progressing rapidly and was life threatening.

I was... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Nov 6, 2022

Best thing to do would be to call your local legal aid office and let them tell you whether it's something they would accept.

Generally, legal aid offices do not take "fee generating" cases. Think cases that lawyers would typically take on a contingency fee basis; yours is...
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2 Answers | Asked in Civil Rights, Employment Discrimination and Employment Law for Michigan on
Q: Can I get legal aid to recover damages due to disability discrimination and ADA violations by the City of Detroit.

I used to work for the City of Detroit, I had two emergency surgeries in May 2020, one to amputate my left foot and another surgery the next day to amputate my left leg below the knee due to contracting a flesh-eating bacteria that was progressing rapidly and was life threatening.

I was... View More

Eva Zelson
Eva Zelson
answered on Nov 10, 2022

You may be able to work with an employment law attorney on a contingency basis, meaning that if you win the case or are able to settle, the lawyer's fees come out of the money awarded to you, but if you lose in court, you don’t owe the lawyer any fees. You may have a case that a... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation, Education Law, Personal Injury and Civil Rights for Michigan on
Q: Is there case law on the responsibilities of teaching staff during a fire?

Must staff make an effort to guide each student to safety? What if a false alarm is the source of the fire emergency? May the teacher or parapro leave a disabled student in a precarious position during a false alarm?

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Oct 3, 2022

A MIchigan attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. There probably is case law, but maybe not on the level of specificity described in your post. You might find a greater level of detail in standard operating procedures for the district or the school - manuals for... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Foreclosure and Civil Rights for Michigan on
Q: Bondsman stole car and didn’t take off balance now house is going to auction for 6490 by September 29 on a zero charge

Inowed 2000 for a 20000 bond that I put. Y house up for the charge was dropped shortly after I bonded out but I owed the 2000 still about a month after I got out w no contact the bondsman came and took my 2008 Jeep Patriot 4x4 he said that he would notify me of the remainder balance after he sold... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Sep 16, 2022

Get a lawyer as soon as possible regarding the house auction. There should be a court file number, and documents may indicate a lawyer who represents the bondsman, whom you should contact regarding payment.

As to the car, it's likely as part of the bond contract, you signed over title...
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1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights for Michigan on
Q: Who should I contact if my grandmother is calling me a fool for praying aloud to God?

She also has the owner of Galesburg speedway aka my cousin here trying to expose any and every thing he can ever dig up convince people to lie about or whatever to harass me for my religious beliefs.

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Sep 8, 2022

I do not believe there is anyone to report this to. If you are a minor, and in your grandmother's care, then you should talk with an adult at your school. If you are an adult, then you need to make a decision as to whether this relationship is worthwhile or beneficial. You can choose to... View More

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