Starting over: Terry J. Nolan regains law license

The Muskegon Chronicle is reporting:

Terry J. Nolan is back.

After a bruising seven years in career exile, Muskegon County’s best-known private attorney is about to make a fresh start.

Nolan, 51, regained his long-suspended law license last week. On Nov. 23, he will open a solo practice called Nolan Law Offices, PLLC, at 1 E. Apple.

This week — for the first time since his cocaine-fueled spinout in a humiliating glare of publicity in 2002-03 — Nolan agreed to be interviewed by a reporter about his experiences.

Plan would reduce Macomb, Oakland judges

“Macomb and Oakland counties may lose a total of three judges under a plan passed by the state House of Representatives today,” according to the Detroit Free Press.

“State Rep. Jon Switalski, D-Warren, introduced the plan to allow county commissioners to voluntarily remove circuit court judges from 2011 to 2013 to help erase deficits that are eroding services.”

‘Love’ artist Stross gets reprieve from court

A local artist originally found guilty of violating a city ordinance involving a mural he painted on the side of his studio will get a new trial after the Michigan Court of Appeals reversed the verdict Tuesday.

The Detroit News is reporting, “Edward Stross, 47, of Roseville was found guilty in 2005 for painting the word “Love” on the side of his Gonzo Fine Arts Studio on Gratiot, as well as the breasts of a nude Eve in a replica of Michelangelo’s ‘Creation of Man.’

“In 2008, Macomb Circuit Judge David Viviano cited the Michigan Court of Appeals decision that found the city’s sign ordinance was unfair because breasts should not be considered genitalia, which would have been a violation of the ordinance.”

Former judges to be honored

“Isabella County officials will honor several former judges today.

As part of the program, six judges – all of whom have served within the past 50 years – will have conference rooms named in their honor,” reports the Morning Sun.

Riley dumps Dubay as township attorney

“After 25 years of service, and with no notification, James Dubay was replaced as Riley Township attorney Oct. 3 night. Robert Vickery, township resident and attorney, was approved by the board as his replacement effective immediately,” reports the Armada Times.

“‘I don’t see why we should stop good council,’ Supervisor Dave Rushing said during the debate on whether to replace Dubay. ‘It does not make sense to me.’

“Dubay, who was in attendance at an October meeting when the subject was first broached, but not at Oct. 3 meeting, had been the Riley attorney for over 25 years. He said that he was not even notified that any action was being taken in regard to his position with the township.”

 

Ex-judge sentenced in embezzlement case

“A former Clinton Township District Court judge was sentenced (Tuesday) to six months in jail. He is accused of embezzling thousands of dollars from the trust fund of a client,” reports the Detroit Free Press.

“William Cannon, 75, who retired from the 41-B District Court in Clinton Township in 2005, also was placed on five years of probation and ordered to pay $75,000 in restitution by Macomb County Circuit Judge Richard Carretti.”

 

Judge mulls sentence for Laingsburg man charged with causing $90,000 damage to Crawford County factories

 ”A 26-year-old Laingsburg man said he was just blowing off steam on Aug. 9 when, police claim, he caused about $90,000 worth of damage to two Crawford County industrial facilities,” according to The Bay City Times.

“Shaun Simmons now faces sentencing on a charge of malicious destruction of property over $20,000. Simmons on Tuesday pleaded no contest and, in exchange, prosecutors agreed to dismiss a charge of malicious destruction of a building over $20,000.

“Investigators claimed Simmons did about $1,500 damage doing donuts in the driveway at Lake City Redi-Mix.”

Belin wants to withdraw guilty plea in homeless veteran murder

“A Lansing-area man who pleaded guilty last month in the stabbing and slashing murder of a homeless veteran wants to withdraw his plea,” reports the Lansing State Journal.

“James Belin, 49, told Ingham County Circuit Court Judge James Giddings on Wednesday he also wants a new lawyer.

“Belin made his request to Giddings at an appearance that was supposed to serve as his sentencing.

“In October, Belin pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the death of David Melvin, 55. Melvin was homeless and was found dead May 12, 2008, in a secluded are behind the Lansing Volunteers of America complex. He had been slashed and stabbed 96 times, according to court testimony.”

 

State court of appeals orders man’s name removed from Public Sex Offender Registry

“The Michigan Court of Appeals has ordered the removal of a Muskegon man’s name from the state’s Public Sex Offender Registry, calling his listing “cruel and unusual punishment” for having consensual sex in 2004 with his then-under-age girlfriend, now his wife, reports the Muskegon Chronicle.

“Robert Lee Dipiazza, the defendant, then 18, has no conviction on his record. The appeals court says he ‘never posed a danger to the public or a danger of reoffending,’ the supposed reason for the public registry’s existence. Both the appeals court and the trial judge called it a ‘Romeo and Juliet offense.’”

 

Bill collector tries to exchange sex act for payment

C and G Newspapers is reporting, “A bill collector for a local rental business faces criminal sexual conduct charges after he attempted to get a client to perform a sex act as bill payment.

“George Edward Herron, a 43-year-old Detroit resident, faces a fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct charge and an aggravated indecent exposure charge following the incident involving a 21-year-old Roseville woman, according to police information.”