Detroit Legal Blog

Why is shoplifting in Michigan considered fraud?

On behalf of Lucido & Manzella, P.C. posted in criminal defense on Tuesday, February 5, 2019.

When a person takes something from a store or attempts to alter the price tag on the item so that they pay less than the market value, they are attempting illegal deception. This is why shoplifting in Michigan is classed in legal terms as "retail fraud".

If you have been accused of retail fraud in Michigan, it is important that you understand the way that the legal system prosecutes such crimes, so that you can adequately defend yourself.

Proving that your Breathalyzer test was inaccurate

On behalf of Lucido & Manzella, P.C. posted in dui on Wednesday, January 23, 2019.

Many people in the state of Michigan are unfortunately held responsible for being measured to be over the legal limit, when in fact they were subject to an inaccurate Breathalyzer test. This is why those charged with a DUI should make sure that they consider their circumstances and take action to defend themselves when they believe it to be appropriate.

The role of Breathalyzer tests is to conveniently measure the amount of alcohol in a person's breath in order to estimate their blood alcohol concentration (BAC). If a person's BAC is measured to be over .08 percent, they will face DUI charges. However, Breathalyzer tests are not always accurate, and this is very important to take note of.

3 Common myths about bankruptcy

On behalf of Lucido & Manzella, P.C. posted in Bankruptcy on Friday, January 18, 2019.

Are you feeling in over your head with debt? Intimidated by bankruptcy? If so, you're certainly not alone.

Bankruptcy carries many negative connotations that sometimes scare away the very people it's meant to benefit. But, most of the notions are just myths. Don't let these ones deter you from getting your finances back on track with bankruptcy.

The 4 most common divorce triggers

On behalf of Lucido & Manzella, P.C. posted in family law on Wednesday, January 9, 2019.

No one envisions a divorce in their future when they are engaged or newly married. However, unfortunately, many marriages are terminated in this way. While all marriages go through difficulties, some issues are worth working through.

If you are going through a difficult time in your marriage in the state of Michigan, it is important that you take the time to reflect and consider whether you can make things work. The following are the 4 most common reasons why couples tend to call it quits.

Defending yourself from a Michigan insurance fraud accusation

On behalf of Lucido & Manzella, P.C. posted in criminal defense on Thursday, December 27, 2018.

If you have been accused of insurance fraud in the state of Michigan, you may face very serious consequences if you do not adequately defend yourself. Unfortunately, the criminal act of insurance fraud is quite a common offense, and there are many initiatives in place in order to tackle it. However, due to the fact that it is a prioritized crime to tackle, it is not impossible for innocent people to be falsely accused of insurance fraud.

It is important that you take action to defend yourself from an insurance fraud accusation in the state of Michigan. In doing so, you may be able to have the charges dismissed or the consequences minimized, depending on the situation.

Don’t let these DUI checkpoint tips slip your mind

On behalf of Lucido & Manzella, P.C. posted in dui on Tuesday, December 11, 2018.

If you find yourself driving into a DUI checkpoint, it's important that you immediately get into the right frame of mind. Any mistake you make can increase the risk of an arrest and formal criminal charges.

Here are three DUI checkpoint tips to keep in mind:

Don't talk back: Even if it's tempting, you need to respect the officer. Neglecting to do so will increase tensions, giving the officer more of a reason to look into your situation.
Don't drive in an erratic manner: Officers are closely watching your vehicle as you move closer to the DUI checkpoint. If you drive in an aggressive or erratic manner, they'll have reason to believe that you're under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Don't make an illegal U-turn: You're so scared of going through a DUI checkpoint that you immediately look for a way out. This leads you to make an illegal U-turn, which results in being pulled over. You have the right to turnaround before reaching a DUI checkpoint, but you don't have the right to do so in an illegal manner.

What should you include in your parenting agreement?

On behalf of Lucido & Manzella, P.C. posted in family law on Wednesday, November 28, 2018.

When going through a divorce, it's critical to think about the future well-being of any children you have with your soon-to-be ex-spouse. Through the creation of a parenting agreement, you can reduce the likelihood of unnecessary arguments and stress.

While it's important to create a parenting agreement, it's not always easy to do so. In addition to deciding what to include, you'll need to negotiate the terms and conditions with the other parent.

What you need to know about field sobriety tests

On behalf of Lucido & Manzella, P.C. posted in dui on Friday, November 16, 2018.

When the police pull you over on suspicion of operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs (OWI), you can be sure that they will ask you to take a field sobriety test, and likely a breathalyzer. However, not many people know what these tests entail and whether or not you are legally required to take them.

The amount of Michigan dwellers who report driving after drinking more than they should is the same as the national average, which is why it is important to educate yourself on field sobriety tests. If you are even in a situation where the police pull you over, you will know whether you need to take the field sobriety tests, or just the chemical tests.

Follow these co-parenting tips to reduce tension

On behalf of Lucido & Manzella, P.C. posted in family law on Thursday, November 15, 2018.

Although the divorce process is challenging, if you have children with your ex-spouse, you'll soon learn that it was just the beginning. As you move into the co-parenting stage, there's no shortage of challenges that stand in your way.

Here are five co-parenting tips you can follow to reduce tension:

Talk everything out. If you have a problem, don't hide it from your ex. Talk about it openly with the goal of finding a solution.
Follow the parenting agreement. You created this agreement for a reason. Following it is the best way to keep both parents on the same page.
Be flexible with schedules. You want to follow your parenting agreement, but don't hesitate to alter your schedule when necessary. For example, you may need to ask your ex to temporarily switch the days you visit with your children.
Don't argue about everything. There are things worth arguing about. There are also things you should sweep under the rug, as they're not worth the fight.
Cut back on unnecessary conversation. For example, when exchanging your children, keep your conversation on topic and concise.

Traffic tickets and driving record points

On behalf of Lucido & Manzella, P.C. posted in criminal defense on Monday, October 29, 2018.

Some might assume that traffic tickets aren’t very serious. However, how a person responds to receiving such a ticket can be impactful on many fronts. Being found guilty of a traffic offense can have many implications for a driver. This includes points possibly being added to his or her driving record.