Michigan Laws
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Are Autopsy Reports Public in Michigan? (2026 Guide)
Are autopsy reports public in Michigan? Next of kin get a free copy when the case closes; everyone else must file a FOIA request. Here is how to get one.
Are Brass Knuckles Legal in Michigan? (2026 MCL 750.224)
Michigan makes it a felony to make, sell, offer for sale or possess metallic knuckles under MCL 750.224: up to 5 years in prison, a $2,500 fine, or both.
Are Magic Mushrooms Legal in Michigan? Psilocybin Laws (2026)
Psilocybin is schedule 1 in Michigan. Possession is a misdemeanor up to 1 year and $2,000; growing or selling is a felony up to 7 years. No state program exists.
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Bankruptcy in Michigan (2026): Exemptions & Means Test
Michigan bankruptcy guide: choose state or federal exemptions, an inflation-adjusted homestead up to $51,150 under MCL 600.5451, plus 2026 means-test income.
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Common Law Marriage in Michigan: Is It Recognized? (2026)
Michigan abolished common law marriage effective January 1, 1957 (MCL 551.2). Pre-1957 CLMs remain valid. Michigan recognizes valid out-of-state common law marriages.
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Does Michigan Have an Age Verification Law? (2026)
Michigan has no enacted adult-content age-verification law, but two competing bills, SB 191 and HB 4429, remain active in the Legislature as of August 2026.
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Felony vs Misdemeanor in Michigan: Penalties and Sentences
Michigan has no felony penalty classes: each offense sets its own maximum, with 4-year and 90-day defaults. See guidelines, habitual and probation rules.
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How Long Is a Life Sentence in Michigan? (2026 Guide)
Complete guide to life sentences in Michigan: parole eligibility, LWOP rules, notable cases, recent legislative changes, and sentencing statutes. Updated March 2026.
How to Find a Cause of Death in Michigan (2026)
In Michigan, the cause of death appears on the certified death certificate, which any applicant can order under MCL 333.2882, or in the autopsy report.
How to Get a Michigan Death Certificate (2026)
Get a Michigan death certificate from MDHHS Vital Records or the county clerk. The first certified copy is $34 and each additional copy is $16. Order online, by mail, or in person.
How to Get a Police Report in Michigan (2026 Guide)
How to get a Michigan crash report through TCPS, request an incident report under FOIA, and how MCL 780.313 governs body camera footage access.
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Is Jaywalking Illegal in Michigan? Rules and Fines (2026)
Michigan law governs pedestrians at signals and on roads (MCL 257.613, 257.655); local codes add crossing rules. Fines up to $100 plus costs and a $40 assessment.
Is Kratom Legal in Michigan? (2026 Law and Pending Ban Bill)
Kratom and 7-OH are not scheduled in Michigan and the state sets no age limit. HB 5537, a sale and distribution ban, passed the House but is not law.
Is Lane Splitting Legal in Michigan? (2026 Motorcycle Law)
Lane splitting and filtering are illegal in Michigan under MCL 257.660(5). A violation is a civil infraction with a civil fine of not more than $100.
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Legal Separation in Michigan: Separate Maintenance Explained (2026)
Michigan has no "legal separation" by that name but allows separate maintenance under MCL 552.7. Grounds, what the court can order, and how it differs from divorce.
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Manslaughter in Michigan: Voluntary, Involuntary and OWI Deaths
Michigan punishes manslaughter by up to 15 years under MCL 750.321. See the voluntary and involuntary forms, OWI causing death and other driving deaths.
Medical Malpractice Laws in Michigan (2026): Deadlines & Caps
Michigan medical malpractice law in 2026: 2-year deadline, 6-year repose, inflation-adjusted noneconomic caps, affidavit of merit, 182-day notice of intent.
Michigan Adoption Records: Original Birth Certificates and Registry Clearance
Michigan adult adoptees get the original birth certificate only with a Central Adoption Registry clearance or a court-appointed confidential intermediary.
Michigan Age of Consent Laws: Statutes, Penalties and Reporting
How Michigan criminal law protects minors under 13, at 13 to 15 and in school and care settings to age 18, with penalties, registration tiers and reporting.
Michigan AI Laws and Regulation (2026)
Guide to Michigan AI laws, regulation, and legislation covering deepfakes, employment AI, healthcare AI, and more.
Michigan AI Meeting Recording Laws (2026)
Michigan AI meeting recording laws: unique legal ambiguity between one-party and all-party consent, participant exception, and how it applies to AI bots.
Michigan Annulment Laws: Grounds, Deadlines and How to File (2026)
Michigan annulment under MCL 552.3: void marriages, the under-18 rule since 2023, force and fraud bars, the 2-year physical incapacity deadline, and how to file.
Michigan Assault and Battery Laws: Charges and Penalties (2026)
Michigan charges assault and battery as one 93-day misdemeanor (MCL 750.81). See felonious assault, assault on officers, domestic assault and penalties.
Michigan At-Will Employment Laws: Exceptions and Your Rights
Michigan is an at-will state with robust implied-contract and public-policy exceptions. Learn how Toussaint, Suchodolski, and the 2024 RTW repeal affect your job rights.
Michigan Audio Recording Laws: Consent Rules, Statutes, and Penalties (2026)
Michigan audio recording laws allow participants to record their own conversations under the Sullivan v. Gray exception. Learn the rules under MCL 750.539c, penalties, and key court cases.
Michigan Background Check Laws (2026 Guide)
Michigan background check laws: Ban the Box, lookback periods, Clean Slate, employer and housing checks.
Michigan Biometric Privacy Laws: Collection, Consent & Penalties (2026)
Michigan protects biometric data through its Identity Theft Protection Act and Consumer Protection Act. Learn current rules, breach penalties, and pending 2026 legislation.
Michigan Birth Certificate: Fees, Wait Times and Who Can Order One
MDHHS charges $34 for a Michigan birth certificate search, including the first copy. Order online, by mail or by appointment, or use a county clerk instead.
Michigan Car Accident Laws: No-Fault, PIP Tiers, and Your Claim
Michigan is a no-fault PIP state. Learn the verbal serious-injury threshold, tiered PIP choices from the 2019 reform, 3-year lawsuit deadline, and minimum insurance rules.
Michigan Car Seat Laws (2026): Ages, Booster & Penalty
Michigan requires rear-facing seats until age 2 and boosters until age 8 or 4'9". See the 2026 stage table, $10 fine plus court costs, waiver rules, and exemptions.
Michigan Child Custody Laws (2026): 12 Best-Interests Factors, Types, and Your Rights
Michigan uses 12 best-interests factors under MCL 722.23 to decide custody. Learn about joint custody, the established custodial environment doctrine, and relocation rules.
Michigan Child Support Laws (2026): Guidelines & Calculator
Michigan uses the Income Shares Model to calculate child support. Learn how the 2025 MCSF formula works, modification rules, enforcement, and when support ends.
Michigan Court Records: How to Search, What's Public, and How to Seal Them
Search Michigan court records free on MiCOURT. Learn the 7-Year Criminal Sentence Filter, what's public, and how Michigan's automatic Clean Slate law works.
Michigan Dashcam Laws: Windshield Rules, Audio Recording, and Legal Use (2026)
Michigan dashcam laws allow dashboard cameras with windshield placement restrictions under MCL 257.709. Learn mounting rules, audio recording limits, and how to use dashcam footage as evidence.
Michigan Data Breach Notification Laws: Reporting Rules & Timelines (2026)
Michigan data breach notification law requires businesses to notify residents of security breaches involving personal information. Learn timelines, penalties, and safe harbors under MCL 445.72.
Michigan Data Privacy Laws: Consumer Rights & Protections (2026)
Michigan data privacy laws explained: breach notification rules, SSN protections, proposed Personal Data Privacy Act, and your rights under state and federal law.
Michigan Death Records: Are They Public + How to Get One
Yes, Michigan death records are open. Under MCL 333.2882, a certified copy, including cause of death, is issued to any applicant for a $34 fee. Here is how to order one.
Michigan Debt Collection Laws: Wage Garnishment, Statute of Limitations, and Repossession
Michigan debt collection laws: the federal 25% garnishment floor, the 6-year statute of limitations, the writing-only revival rule, and repossession licensing.
Michigan Deepfake Laws: AI Images, Voice Cloning & Penalties (2026)
Michigan criminalizes intimate deepfakes (PA 11 of 2025, up to 3 years), election deepfakes (MCL 168.932f, effective Feb 2024), and covers AI-CSAM under MCL 750.145c. No statutory voice-cloning law yet.
Michigan Defamation Laws: Libel & Slander (2026)
Michigan defamation laws explained: a one-year statute of limitations (MCL 600.5805), the new 2026 anti-SLAPP law, per se rules, and how to sue.
Michigan Disorderly Conduct and Trespass Laws (2026)
Michigan has no general disorderly conduct law; most disorderly person forms (MCL 750.167) carry up to 90 days. Basic trespass carries up to 30 days.
Michigan Divorce Laws (2026): Grounds, Residency, and Process
Michigan divorce: no-fault only, 180-day state residency, 60-day wait (no kids) or 180-day wait (minor children), equitable distribution, Circuit Court.
Michigan Dog Bite Laws: Liability and Victim Rights
Learn Michigan dog bite laws under MCL 287.351, including strict liability rules, criminal penalties, defenses, and the 3-year statute of limitations.
Michigan Drone Laws (2026): Privacy Statute, Preemption, and Warrants
Michigan bars drone harassment and privacy invasion under MCL 259.322, preempts local drone ordinances, and limits warrant protection per Long Lake Township v.
Michigan E-Scooter Laws: Sidewalk, Helmet & Age Rules (2026)
Michigan law calls an e-scooter an 'electric skateboard.' The device is capped at 25 mph, no one under 12 may ride on a public street, and riders under 19 must wear a helmet.
Michigan Easements, Landlocked Property and Eminent Domain (2026)
Michigan prescriptive easements generally take 15 years of open, adverse use. See landlocked-land rules, the 2006 limits on takings and how condemnation pay works.
Michigan Emancipation Laws: How to Get Emancipated in Michigan (2026)
Learn how to get emancipated in Michigan. A minor 16 or older may petition under the Emancipation of Minors Act, MCL 722.4a-4c. Covers requirements, court findings, rights, and effects on child support.
Michigan Embezzlement and Forgery Laws: Penalties (2026)
Michigan embezzlement under MCL 750.174 is generally a felony at $1,000, up to 20 years at $100,000. Public officers, vulnerable adults and 14-year forgery.
Michigan Employee Monitoring Laws (2026): Social Media, GPS & Cameras
Michigan employee monitoring law explained: the Internet Privacy Protection Act's social media password ban, one-party consent recording, and hidden camera restrictions.
Michigan Expungement Laws: How Conviction Set-Aside Works Under MCL 780.621
Michigan uses "set aside" instead of expungement under MCL 780.621. Learn eligibility, waiting periods, automatic set-aside under Clean Slate, excluded offenses, and how to file.
Michigan Extortion and Blackmail Laws: Penalties (2026)
Michigan extortion under MCL 750.213 is a felony of up to 20 years or a $10,000 fine. See the threats it covers and the 2025 sexual extortion law, MCL 750.213b.
Michigan Final Paycheck Laws: Due Diligence, Not a Day Count
Michigan final paycheck law: the due-diligence standard under MCL 408.475, the MCL 408.488 penalty, and what employers can deduct.
Michigan Fireworks Laws (2026): Certificate Rules and Local Hours
Michigan allows consumer fireworks statewide via certificate-holding retailers. Local governments control discharge hours only, not sale, plus penalty rules.
Michigan Freedom of Information Act: 5 Business Days, Fees, and How to Appeal
Michigan FOIA explained: the 5 business day deadline, capped fees and the mandatory $20 indigency waiver, the internal appeal, and the body camera exemption.
Michigan GPS Tracking Laws: Is It Legal to Put a Tracker on a Car? (2026)
Putting a GPS tracker on a car without consent is a misdemeanor in Michigan under MCL 750.539l. Penalties, exceptions, AirTag rules, and your right to sue.
Michigan Grandparents' Rights: How the Law Was Rebuilt After DeRose
Michigan grandparenting time under the post-DeRose MCL 722.27b, its presumption and 8-factor test, custody, adoption, and filing.
Michigan Guardianship Laws: Minors, Adults and Conservators (2026)
How Michigan guardianship works under EPIC Article V: clear and convincing proof, limited guardians first, the 2026 move rule, parental POAs and conservators.
Michigan Hit and Run Laws: Penalties and What to Do
Learn about Michigan hit and run laws under MCL 257.617, including penalties for leaving the scene, reporting requirements, and your legal obligations.
Michigan Homestead Exemption: PRE, Form 2368 and Deadlines
Michigan's Principal Residence Exemption removes up to 18 school operating mills. How to file Form 2368, the June 1 deadline, and other homestead tax programs.
Michigan Identity Theft Laws: Penalties and Victim Resources
Michigan's Identity Theft Protection Act (MCL 445.65, 445.69) sets felony penalties up to 15 years. See penalties, MITS victim resources, and pending bills.