SCOTUS: Trial Court Must First Find ‘Screening’ Is Necessary For Child Witness
A father convicted of sexually abusing his young daughter was denied his right to confrontation under the Sixth Amendment, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled, because the trial court did not first make a finding that “screened” testimony of the child victim, which was allowed by state law, was necessary.
MSC: No Compensable ‘Taking’ When Real Property Fails To Sell At Public Auction
There is no “taking” under the Michigan Constitution’s Takings Clause if the foreclosing governmental unit attempts to sell the foreclosed-upon property at a public auction but the property does not sell, the Michigan Supreme Court has unanimously decided.
‘Franchise Fee’ Imposed By City And Utility Company An Illegal Tax On Residents
A utility company’s “franchise fee” was an “unauthorized tax” that violated the Michigan Constitution and, as a result, the utility company could not collect the fee from its customers and then remit the collected fees to the City of East Lansing, the Michigan Supreme Court has ruled.