Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
- Publication Year
Articles 1 - 27 of 27
Full-Text Articles in Law
Disentangling Michigan Court Rule 6.502(G)(2): The "New Evidence" Exception To The Ban On Successive Motions For Relief From Judgment Does Not Contain A Discoverability Requirement, Claire V. Madill
Michigan Law Review
Michigan courts are engaging in a costly interpretative mistake. Confused by the relationship between two distinct legal doctrines, Michigan courts are conflating laws in a manner that precludes convicted defendants from raising their constitutional claims in postconviction proceedings. In Michigan, a convicted defendant who wishes to collaterally attack her conviction must file a 6.500 motion. The Michigan Court Rules generally prohibit “second or subsequent” motions. Nonetheless, section 6.502(G)(2) permits a petitioner to avoid this successive motion ban if her claim relies on “new evidence that was not discovered” before her original postconviction motion. Misguided by the similarity between the language …
Deboer V. Snyder: A Case Study In Litigation And Social Reform, Wyatt Fore
Deboer V. Snyder: A Case Study In Litigation And Social Reform, Wyatt Fore
Michigan Journal of Gender & Law
On April 28, 2015, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments for four cases from the Sixth Circuit addressing the constitutionality of state bans on same-sex marriage. This Note examines DeBoer v. Snyder, the Michigan marriage case, with the goal of providing litigators and scholars the proper context for our current historical moment in which (1) the legal status of LGBT people; and (2) the conventional wisdom about the role of impact litigation in social reform movements are rapidly evolving.
A Solution To Michigan's Child Shackling Problem, Gabe Newland
A Solution To Michigan's Child Shackling Problem, Gabe Newland
Michigan Law Review First Impressions
Detained children routinely appear before Michigan's juvenile courts shackled with handcuffs, leg irons, and belly chains. Once security officers bring a child to court in these shackles, the child usually remains in them for her hearing or trial. In Michigan, as in many other states, no statute or court rule requires the judge to decide whether shackles are necessary. This Essay argues that Michigan should pass legislation or amend state court rules to create a presumption against shackling children. Unless a child poses a substantial risk of flight or physical danger and less restrictive alternatives to shackling will not adequately …
A Prudential Exercise: Abstention And The Probate Exception To Federal Diversity Jurisdiction, Christian J. Grostic
A Prudential Exercise: Abstention And The Probate Exception To Federal Diversity Jurisdiction, Christian J. Grostic
Michigan Law Review
Ann-Marie Brege's parents established an irrevocable trust in 1985, with Ann-Marie as sole beneficiary. When Merrill Lynch Trust Co. took over as trustee years later, however, the trust's principal dropped sharply, losing over half its value in just a few years. Ann-Marie sued in Michigan probate court, alleging that Merrill Lynch had violated its legal duties in administering the trust. Since Ann-Marie was from New York and Merrill Lynch had its headquarters in New Jersey, Merrill Lynch had an apparently easy argument for diversity jurisdiction. In an unremarkable turn of events, Merrill Lynch filed a notice of removal to federal …
Psychiatric Assistance For Indigent Defendants Pleading Insanity: The Michigan Experience, Paul Zisla
Psychiatric Assistance For Indigent Defendants Pleading Insanity: The Michigan Experience, Paul Zisla
University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform
The federal government and many states already provide psychiatric assistance to indigent defendants pleading insanity. Michigan's statutory scheme for delivering this service presents an opportunity to evaluate an approach that generally favors defendant interests in areas left unresolved by Ake. This Note undertakes that evaluation. Part I summarizes the Ake decision, key problem areas, and the research methodology. Part II describes the Michigan statutory system. Part III evaluates that system using data from interviews with legal and psychiatric practitioners and considers the consequences of Michigan's approach to the issues posed by Ake. The evaluation shows that Michigan's system …
Reflections On Stare Decisis In Michigan: The Rise And Fall Of The "Rezoning As Administrative Act" Doctrine, Roger A. Cunningham
Reflections On Stare Decisis In Michigan: The Rise And Fall Of The "Rezoning As Administrative Act" Doctrine, Roger A. Cunningham
Michigan Law Review
In an earlier article in this law review, I discussed the new doctrine that in certain municipalities a decision by the local governing body to rezone or not to rezone land should be deemed an "administrative" or "quasi-judicial," rather than a "legislative," act. This doctrine was introduced into Michigan law several years ago in a series of opinions signed by only three justices of the Michigan Supreme Court. The earlier article dealt principally with the merits of the new "rezoning as administrative act" doctrine. The present article discusses troublesome aspects of the Michigan Supreme Court's attitude toward the principle of …
Some Observations On The Disposition Of Ccw Cases In Detroit, Michigan Law Review
Some Observations On The Disposition Of Ccw Cases In Detroit, Michigan Law Review
Michigan Law Review
Part I of this Note details the disposition of cases alleging violations of the Michigan CCW statute that were brought in the Detroit recorder's court during 1973. Although the statute is only part of the current scheme of gun control in Michigan, it is the principal weapon available to the police and prosecutor in the preventive battle against the illegal use of firearms. To give meaning to the dispositional statistics and to aid in perceiving the over-all judicial attitude toward CCW cases, the statistical results of the study are compared with statistics on the disposition of cases involving felonies similar …
The Juvenile Court And Emotional Neglect Of Children, James B. Stoetzer
The Juvenile Court And Emotional Neglect Of Children, James B. Stoetzer
University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform
A primary function of the Juvenile Court is to assist in the protection of children from abuse and neglect. Juvenile court acts, child abuse reporting statutes, and child protective services legislation have incorporated provisions dealing with physical abuse and physical neglect of children. Such legislation enables state intervention into family life for the protection of children exposed to harmful environments. Statutory definitions of abuse and neglect provide a basis on which the community, frequently through the juvenile court, may pass judgment on the existence of child neglect and offer services or coerce family members to accept them. A few states, …
The Language Of Involuntary Mental Hospitalization: A Study In Sound And Fury, Steven H. Levinson
The Language Of Involuntary Mental Hospitalization: A Study In Sound And Fury, Steven H. Levinson
University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform
Involuntary civil commitment is the business of hospitalizing and treating, without their consent, persons whom a court, with the aid of professional diagnosticians, determines to be psychologically disturbed or mentally ill. The purpose of the present study will be to demonstrate that the medical diagnoses of mental illness which justify involuntary civil commitment are achieved on the basis of at least unreliable and at worst invalid sets of diagnostic categories and assessments. For the purpose of determining the reliability of these diagnostic findings, the author selected a representative sample of the involuntary mental hospitalization proceedings of the Wayne County Probate …
The Union Of Law And Equity, Charles W. Joiner, Ray A. Geddes
The Union Of Law And Equity, Charles W. Joiner, Ray A. Geddes
Michigan Law Review
This paper was prepared for the guidance of a Committee on Michigan Procedural Revision jointly created by the Michigan Legislature, the Supreme Court of Michigan, and the Michigan State Bar to recommend revision of Michigan statutes and rules. Toe need for the joinder of law and equity procedure was thought to be so fundamental that this paper was prepared as a basic study for the committee. In it an attempt is made to bring to the attention of the Michigan lawyers, judges, and legislators an analysis of the Michigan Constitution, statutes, and cases and the experience of other states that …
Constitutional Law - Due Process - Power Of Michigan One-Man Grand Jury To Punish Contempt, Stephen C. Bransdorfer S.Ed.
Constitutional Law - Due Process - Power Of Michigan One-Man Grand Jury To Punish Contempt, Stephen C. Bransdorfer S.Ed.
Michigan Law Review
Petitioners were two witnesses called before a Detroit Recorder's Court judge sitting as a Michigan one-man grand jury to investigate suspected police corruption. During the hearings both petitioners were cited for contempt. An order to show cause why they should not be punished was issued by the judge. Subsequently, in open hearings, the same judge convicted and sentenced petitioners. The Michigan Supreme Court affirmed. On certiorari to the United States Supreme Court, held, reversed. To allow a judge who sat as a one-man grand jury to preside at a contempt hearing regarding the same witnesses violates due process. In …
Courts-Validity Of Contracts Restricting Venue In Actions Under The Federal Employers' Liability Act, John C. Walker S. Ed.
Courts-Validity Of Contracts Restricting Venue In Actions Under The Federal Employers' Liability Act, John C. Walker S. Ed.
Michigan Law Review
Petitioner suffered injuries in the course of his duties as an employee of respondent railroad. Subsequently, respondent advanced money to petitioner and the latter agreed in writing that if his claim could not be settled he would sue only in the county or district where he resided at the time of the injury, or in the county or district where the injury was sustained. This agreement restricted petitioner's choice of venue to either a state or federal court sitting in Michigan. Ignoring the contract, petitioner sued in an Illinois court. Respondent then brought suit in the Michigan courts to enjoin …
Abstracts, Katherine Kempfer
Abstracts, Katherine Kempfer
Michigan Law Review
The abstracts consist merely of summaries of the facts and holdings of recent cases and are distinguished from the notes by the absence of discussion.
Federal Courts - Federal Rules Of Civil Procedure - Statutes Of Limitations - Commencement Of Action, Harry M. Nayer
Federal Courts - Federal Rules Of Civil Procedure - Statutes Of Limitations - Commencement Of Action, Harry M. Nayer
Michigan Law Review
Plaintiff brought suit on some promissory notes in the federal district court in Michigan. The complaint was filed before the expiration of the six-year Michigan statute of limitations, but although the plaintiff used due diligence he was unable to get personal service on defendant until the statutory period had elapsed. Defendant pleaded the statute of limitations. Both the Michigan and the federal procedures provide that "a civil action is commenced by filing a complaint with the court." Held, that the filing of the complaint tolled the running of the statute and the plaintiff should therefore be allowed to maintain …
Circuit Courts And The Nisi Prius System: The Making Of An Appellate Court, William Wirt Blume
Circuit Courts And The Nisi Prius System: The Making Of An Appellate Court, William Wirt Blume
Michigan Law Review
Judicial systems organized under the influence of the English tradition have exhibited a tendency to pass through four stages of development. (1) In the first stage the highest court (not taking into consideration legislative bodies) has final appellate jurisdiction and a superior original jurisdiction, civil and criminal. The court is composed of three or more judges who sit in bank for the trial of cases. The judges may sit at a central place or go on circuit throughout the territory. (2) In the second stage the highest court has both original and appellate jurisdiction but does not undertake to try …
Appeal And Error - Harmless And Prejudicial Error, Michigan Law Review
Appeal And Error - Harmless And Prejudicial Error, Michigan Law Review
Michigan Law Review
In the trial of defendant for embezzlement, the prosecutor's opening address to the jury included a hearsay statement, regarding a tacit admission by defendant, tending to establish his guilt. Subsequently in the trial such hearsay statement was not allowed in evidence and the defendant now claims on appeal from conviction that the opening statement was prejudicial and thus he is entitled to a new trial. Held, that the statute governing reversals by an appellate court for prejudicial errors did not apply; and that a new trial follows as a matter of course because of a deprivation of the constitutional …
Federal Courts - Substance And Procedure - Effect Of Erie Railroad V. Tompkins And Rule 8 (C) Of The Federal Rules Of Civil Procedure Upon Burden Of Proof Of Contributory Negligence, John H. Uhl
Michigan Law Review
The case of Erie Railroad v. Tompkins has wrought a great change in the relationship between the state and federal courts. Prior to its decision, the federal courts under the rule of Swift v. Tyson did not have to apply the state non-statutory law. They could apply their own notions as to what the law was in matters of general law relating to substance. The Conformity Act compelled the federal courts to follow the practice, pleading, and forms and modes of proceeding in like causes in the courts of the state within which the federal district courts were held. In …
Injunctions - Courts - Labor Law - Power Of A State Court To Enjoin National Labor Relations Board Officials, Amos J. Coffman
Injunctions - Courts - Labor Law - Power Of A State Court To Enjoin National Labor Relations Board Officials, Amos J. Coffman
Michigan Law Review
The Circuit Court of Washtenaw County, Michigan, recently issued an injunction enjoining the regional officials of the National Labor Relations Board from holding a scheduled hearing in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The injunction was issued on the theory that if any unfair labor practices were being practiced by the Ann Arbor Press (a local job printer charged with violating the act) they did not affect interstate commerce and hence were not within the jurisdiction of the board. The injunction was at least temporarily effective. The hearing was not held in Ann Arbor. The regional office of the board in Detroit withdrew …
Constitutional Law - Trial By Jury - Waiver Of Absence Of Part Of Jury And Consent To Continue With Remainder, Malcolm L. Denise
Constitutional Law - Trial By Jury - Waiver Of Absence Of Part Of Jury And Consent To Continue With Remainder, Malcolm L. Denise
Michigan Law Review
The relator in this quo warranto proceeding attacked his previous conviction in a criminal trial on the ground that the verdict was void because rendered by only eleven persons. During that trial, one of the original jurors had been unable to continue, and the relator and the prosecutor had both consented to proceed before the remaining jurors. It was held that the right to be tried by a jury of twelve given an accused by the constitution of the state is a privilege purely for his own protection, and that he could legally waive this, just like any other similar …
Equity - Rescission Of Contract Induced By Fraud - Money Judgment As An Alternative To Specific Restitution
Michigan Law Review
Plaintiff entered into an agreement for the exchange of interests in real estate with one of the defendants. After payment of part of the boot money agreed upon, the plaintiff defaulted and sued to have the agreement rescinded for fraud. The trial court rendered a money judgment for the amount at which the plaintiff's property had been taken on the trade. Held, that defendant's wife, to whom the property had been conveyed, should have been joined, and that the decree should be modified to order a reconveyance to the plaintiff. Bacon v. Fox, 267 Mich. 589, 255 N. …
Stare Decisis -The Retroactive Effect Of An Overruling Decision
Stare Decisis -The Retroactive Effect Of An Overruling Decision
Michigan Law Review
In 1923 the Supreme Court of Michigan ruled, in Kavanaugh v. Rabior, that property lying between the meander line and the waterline of the Great Lakes belonged to the State. The defendant, after this decision and upon the advice of the State Conservation Department, refused to pay rent to the plaintiff, the littoral proprietor. In 1930 the court, overruling the Kavanaugh case, held, in Hilt v. Weber, that such property belonged to the littoral proprietor. On the basis of this decision the plaintiff brought suit for use and occupation. Held, in the principal case, that the overruling …
Practice And Procedure - Power Of The Court To Increase Inadequate Verdict
Practice And Procedure - Power Of The Court To Increase Inadequate Verdict
Michigan Law Review
With the development of the remittitur in the case of excessive verdicts, one would naturally expect the development of an analogous device for cases wherein the verdicts are inadequate. When the plaintiff moves for a new trial because of an inadequate verdict, a denial of the motion on the condition that the defendant agree to a certain increase in the verdict is perfectly analogous to the remittitur in form. But this device has not received the same wide acceptance as its counterpart. In cases in which the plaintiff has appealed this device has been condemned, while it has been approved …
Wills And Administration - Jurisdiction Over The Probate Of Lost Or Destroyed Wills
Wills And Administration - Jurisdiction Over The Probate Of Lost Or Destroyed Wills
Michigan Law Review
Under Mich. Comp. Laws (1929), sec. 15547, a will lost, suppressed or destroyed may be admitted to probate upon its being established in a prescribed manner in the probate court. And under sec. 15543 no will is effectual to pass title to property unless probated as required by law. Plaintiff coal company, apparently under the direction of its manager, King, filed a bill of interpleader for a judicial determination as to whether it should pay rent as lessee of certain property to the administrator of the estate of the deceased lessor, or to King, who claimed as devisee of the …
Patents - Option Of The Court To Permit Contempt Proceedings Or To Require A New Suit
Patents - Option Of The Court To Permit Contempt Proceedings Or To Require A New Suit
Michigan Law Review
A final injunction was issued by the federal district court of Massachusetts against A, a Michigan corporation. The terms of the injunction were that A should not make, use, or sell lasts, or any colorable imitation thereof, embodying the invention covered by certain enumerated claims belonging to the present complainant. In a subsequent term of court the complainant alleged a violation of the injunction and brought contempt proceedings against A in the district court. The alleged infringement consisted in the manufacture and sale of a device which was slightly changed in form from that which the defendant had made prior …
Judicial System Of Michigan Under Governor And Judges, W L. Jenks
Judicial System Of Michigan Under Governor And Judges, W L. Jenks
Michigan Law Review
When the Territory of Michigan came into existence July i, 1805, it found a system of jurisprudence in operation which had been adopted by the Governor and Judges of the Northwest Territory from the laws of Pennsylvania, due no doubt, to the fact that Gov. Arthur St. Clair had lived some years in that State, had been a member of its Board of Censors, a magistrate, and was familiar with its judicial system which provided a-Court of General Quarter Sessions of the Peace in each county composed of Justices of the Peace, a Court of Common Pleas in each County, …
Note And Comment, Ralph W. Aigler, Charles L. Kaufman, Edwin D. Dickinson, Lester S. Hecht, Leon L. Greenbaum
Note And Comment, Ralph W. Aigler, Charles L. Kaufman, Edwin D. Dickinson, Lester S. Hecht, Leon L. Greenbaum
Michigan Law Review
Judicial Reform in Michigan - The legislature which has been in regular session this year has enacted a measure enlarging the scope of judicial action in a way likely to add very greatly to the iusefulness of the courts. This law authorizes courts of record to make binding declarations of the rights of parties prior to the commission of a wrongful act
Note And Comment, Edson R. Sunderland, Horace Lafayette Wilgus, John B. Waite, Ralph W. Aigler, Joseph H. Drake
Note And Comment, Edson R. Sunderland, Horace Lafayette Wilgus, John B. Waite, Ralph W. Aigler, Joseph H. Drake
Michigan Law Review
Repeals by Implication - Prohibition in Michigan - At the November election of. 1916 the people of the state of Michigan ratified the following amendment to the constitution of that state: "The manufacture, sale, giving away, bartering or furnishing of any vinous, malt, brewed, fermented, spiritous or intoxicating liquors, except for medicinal, mechanical, chemical, scientific or sacramental purposes shall be after April thirty, nineteen hundred eighteen, prohibited in the State forever. The Legislature shall by law provide regulations for the sale of such liquors for medicinal, mechanica, cheinical, scientific and sacramental purposes."