May 4th, 2021
O’Reilly Rancilio Attor…

Late last year, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed dozens of criminal justice reform bills into law with the intent of widening jail alternatives and removing obstacles after incarceration. The sweeping reform affects the way people interact with the justice system from the time they are arrested through probation.

These changes affect municipalities, whose police departments and courts rely on the judicial system for guidance. O’Reilly Rancilio municipal attorneys Don DeNault, Alyssa Albright, and Dylan Church recently interpreted the changes and printed guidance for other municipal attorneys, courts, and judges regarding the 2021 reform legislation.

The new Michigan laws address a wide variety of subjects, including:

  • No jail/probation, specifically presumptions;
  • Appearance tickets;
  • Failure to Appear;
  • Violent Felonies;
  • Probation Revocation and Violations;
  • Clean Slate legislation;
  • Raise the age;
  • HYTA Age;
  • Civil Infractions; and
  • Driver’s License Suspension legislation.

The new laws result in many changes, from authorizing law enforcement to issue appearance tickets for most misdemeanors to eliminating driver’s license suspensions and criminal penalties for particular traffic crimes and more.

The attorneys at O’Reilly Rancilio have been serving municipalities for more than 30 years. Municipalities, police agencies, and courts with questions regarding the new laws should call 586-726-1000 or visit our website at 586-726-1000.

Categories: Municipal