Issues

Drug Sniffing Dogs…an American Nightmare...Supreme Court to Rule on Reasonableness Under Fourth Amendment (in Macomb Township Patch)

• Richard G. Marcil
• Oct 23, 2012

Attorney Richard G. Marcil describes the harrowing ordeal of drug dogs, even as their effectiveness and reasonableness is questioned by two cases in the U.S. Supreme Court.

Absurd ‘garage sale’ law? Reselling your old stuff could become illegal if certain copyright companies have their way (in Macomb Township Patch)

• Richard G. Marcil
• Oct 11, 2012

Don’t call him “Second-hand Rose.” Attorney Richard G. Marcil discusses a Supreme Court case about your right to re-sell stuff made in a foreign country without consent of the copyright holder.

Crime

“You Lying, Drunken, Bank-Robbin' Pervert!” (Oops…Wrong Guy) What Happens When Internet Background Checks are Defamatory? (in Macomb Township Patch)

• Richard G. Marcil
• Sep 3, 2012

"Erroneous!" Attorney Richard G.Marcil objects to huge private companies serving up "Data cocktails" and calling them "background checks" that can be defamatory - even dangerous.

Science & Technology

Do Robots and Computers Have Free Speech Rights Under the First Amendment? The Day is Coming (Bad Idea!) When They Might

• Richard G. Marcil
• Jul 1, 2012

"Open the pod bay door, HAL!"; lawyer Richard G. Marcil discusses 'talking' search engine results, as Google faces potential anti-trust/monopoly cases investigated by the US Justice Department.

Issues

No 'Free Parking' OK, But No Free Speech? MSU Law Student Fights $10 Parking Ticket Up to MI Supreme Court (in Macomb Township Patch)

• Richard G. Marcil
• Apr 29, 2012

Macomb lawyer Richard G.Marcil discusses a law student's 'David versus Goliath' fight over a tiny parking ticket that involves big Free Speech rights under the First Amendment.

Issues

Would Trayvon’s Death be Justified Here? MI’s 'Castle Doctrine' and Self-defense Compare to Florida’s 'Stand Your Ground' Laws

• Richard G. Marcil
• Mar 25, 2012

Shoot first and ask questions later? Not a good idea: Michigan laws of self-defense, in light of the Florida case of the shooting of Trayvon Martin, are examined by Macomb lawyer Richard G. Marcil.

Opinion

Stop Me If You Heard This One! Hilarious Lengths People go to Avoid Creditors, Bankruptcy, Cover Their 'Assets' (in Macomb Township Patch)

• Richard G. Marcil
• Mar 1, 2012

No joke: Macomb lawyer Richard G. Marcil describes how to creatively title your property and protect your assets from creditors; not surprisingly, a little planning ahead helps.

Opinion

Cowardly Lyin’: Is Lying About Being a "War Hero" a Crime? The Power of Free Speech Under the First Amendment (in Macomb Township Patch)

• Richard G. Marcil
• Feb 16, 2012

Medal of 'Dis-honor': Macomb lawyer Richard G. Marcil looks at next week's U.S. Supreme Court case that will decide whether a law making lying about war medals illegal violates the First Amendment

Issues

'Who Put Jello in My Stapler?! Breaking Employment Laws Can Happen Accidentally, Often Not on Purpose (in Macomb Township Patch)

• Richard G. Marcil
• Feb 3, 2012

"@ The Office 101": Macomb County lawyer Richard G. Marcil looks at "Top 10" situations often leading, not purposefully but often accidentally, to labor law violations.