When can you tell if summer has officially begun? For me, it’s when I can enjoy dinner on a restaurant patio without fear of developing hypothermia. It’s also a good sign when the barbeque invitations start rolling in from friends.
However, the warm weather brings more along with it than just dinner on a patio or hotdogs in the backyard. As with every other change of season, there are adjustments that have to be made in order to ensure that this summer will be one to remember for all the right reasons. While it may be time to dig in the closet to pull our shorts and sandals, it’s also a good idea to pick up a copy of The Voice, our very own student newsletter. In it you’ll find a lot of inspiring stories about cases we’ve championed along with a lot of useful information related to students and minors.
You’ll also find a guide on how to throw a police-free house party and a thorough description of Michigan’s minor in possession laws. Michigan’s minor in possession laws and their enforcement aren’t always in sync. As a result, it’s important for minors to be aware of their rights as well as the consequences of their actions. For instance, did you know that police cannot force an underage pedestrian to submit to a breathalyzer if they don’t have probable cause?
The publications on our website provide insight into a host of issues and provide valuable information about your rights in your community. So while school may be out that doesn’t mean that you don’t have some homework to do! Be sure to check out The Voice along with our other publications. You may be in for a surprise – our publications may just be a part of that summer reading you’ve been looking forward to.
By Roland Leggett, ACLU of Michigan Field Organizer