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Legal Insights Blog
Welcome to Our Legal Blog. We’re glad you’re here.
At Beier Howlett, P.C., we know the law can feel overwhelming, and our goal is to make it a little easier to understand. This blog is a place where we break down everyday legal questions, share helpful tips, and talk about what’s happening in the legal world in a way that’s clear and practical.
Whether you’re looking for guidance, exploring your options, or simply curious, we hope you find information here that supports you and answers your questions. Thanks for reading—we’re here to help.
Public Legal Awareness
Understanding Bail in Michigan
If you are accused of a crime in Michigan, it is important to understand bail and how it works in Michigan. This court practice is designed to presume that the defendant is innocent while the defendant awaits trial. Being well informed will help you navigate this criminal process. What is bail? Bail is a sum of money set by a judge or magistrate, that an individual who is accused of a crime must pay to the court if they want to be temporarily released from jail while they wai
Nov 4, 20243 min read
Common Legal Questions-Q&A Friday Posts
Every Friday we post a common legal questions and answer on our social media pages. They range from Estate Planning topics, to family law issues, to business law, and more! Read below to learn more about common legal questions.
Nov 8, 202338 min read
Classification of Criminal Offenses
You have been charged with a crime, but do you fully understand what it means? Do you know the severity of the charges you face? Do you understand the impact it could have on your future?
In Michigan, there are three categories of criminal offenses. (1) civil infraction, (2) misdemeanor, (3) felony.
Oct 10, 20234 min read
Critical Incident Mapping
Schools already need to provide their local law enforcement with building data and blueprints for their campuses, but at the end of 2022, Governor Whitmer signed a new bill into law that took effect in January regarding critical incident mapping.
Feb 22, 20232 min read
New Michigan Consumer Guide on Medical Surprise Billing Available
Recently the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) released a consumer guide that helps navigate through surprise medical billing. This guide helps you understand your rights when you have received an unexpected medical bill after treatment.
Jan 23, 20232 min read
OWI Process in Michigan
A DUI (Driving Under the Influence) is typically referred to as an OWI (Operating While Intoxicated) in Michigan. Being charged with an OWI is a serious criminal offense. An OWI is a misdemeanor or in some cases, a felony.
Dec 27, 20226 min read
Michigan Driver's Record Point System
So, you have been pulled over, issued a ticket, and now have points on your driver’s record. But do you understand the point system and how it can affect you? When you commit a traffic offense and are found guilty of that offense, you will more than likely be issued fines and points on your driver’s license.
Sep 27, 20223 min read
Lemon Law
Michigan Lemon Law was enacted to protect consumers who have purchased new vehicles that have serious issues that are not resolved or fixed by the manufacturer.
Sep 21, 20224 min read
Landlord Tenant Checklist
It is important to thoroughly review your lease contract and inspect the rental property before signing the contract in order to fill out the Landlord-Tenant Checklist.
Jan 19, 20222 min read
Overview of the FMLA and Suggestions for Preventing Employee Abuse
FMLA stands for the Family and Medical Leave Act. It is a federal labor law, generally applicable to employers with 50 or more employees, that allows eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave a year for qualified family or medical related reasons.
Jan 7, 20225 min read
Michigan Joint Task Force on Jail and Pretrial Incarceration
On April 17, 2019 the Governor signed Executive Order 2019-10 which created the Michigan Joint Task Force on Jail and Pretrial Incarceration, to act in an advisory capacity, with the goal of developing ambitious, innovative, and thorough recommendations for changes in state law, policy, and appropriations to expand alternatives to jail, safely reduce jail admissions and length of stay, and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of Michigan’s justice systems.
Jul 15, 20213 min read
Clean Slate Law
Michigan recently passed the “Clean Slate” law, which allows for more criminal convictions to be expunged (set aside.) As of April 11, 2021, more misdemeanor and felony convictions are eligible to be set aside. Additionally, the law shortened the time period after a conviction to submit an application for an expungement.
May 13, 20211 min read
Criminal Justice Reform Bills
Recently, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed multiple bipartisan bills to expand Criminal Justice Reform in Michigan. The bills revamp the way many people with criminal convictions will be treated, including juveniles. While the new laws do not take effect right away, the future will be brighter for many individuals in the justice system.
Mar 22, 20213 min read
Practical Advice About Motor Vehicle Accidents
Motor vehicle accidents are all too common. If you are in an accident, there are several actions which can be important to protect you and your legal rights. Here are some simple steps which you may want to take if you are involved in a motor vehicle accident.
Dec 29, 20202 min read
Impact of Covid-19 on Custody and Parenting Time
Since the coronavirus crisis is also a new issue for the courts, attorneys are stepping into uncharted territory in advising their clients as to how a particular dispute that is COVID-19 related may play out in court. Below are some issues that seem to be arising as a result of the response to COVID-19.
Dec 23, 20204 min read
Covid-19 Limitations on Gatherings
However, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has issued new Orders under the Public Health Code. Its Order from mid-November of this year, with respect to limitations at gatherings, states as follows:
Dec 16, 20205 min read
OWI and OWVI Charges in Michigan
There are two main offenses in Michigan when driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. The first is called OWI, operating while intoxicated, which is a serious criminal offense. The other is a lesser offense, but still serious, called OWVI, operating while visually impaired.
Nov 19, 20203 min read
Recreational Marijuana and Municipalities
With the passing of Proposal 1 in 2018, legalizing recreational marijuana, cities and towns across the state of Michigan have had to deal with deciding whether to opt in or opt out, drafting ordinances reflecting the decision, and preparing the infrastructure necessary when opting in.
Sep 30, 20203 min read
Michigan No-Fault Reform
This article on Michigan No Fault Reform is meant to help you understand the changes most likely to affect you should you be involved in an automobile accident after that date. We suggest you contact your insurance agent to discuss any necessary changes to your policy. If you have any legal questions regarding the Michigan No Fault Reform, please contact Beier Howlett.
Jun 30, 20207 min read
The CARES Act and Your Retirement Accounts
The recently passed CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act) has gotten a lot of publicity in the media, largely for its provision pushing back the income tax deadline from April 15 to July 15, the promise of $1,200 recovery rebates to individual taxpayers, and the availability of forgivable loans to small businesses. Although not as widely touted, there is also some economic relief with respect to retirement accounts.
Apr 17, 20203 min read
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