Attorney Brian Garmo selected as 2013 Michigan Super Lawyer Rising Star
Brian F. Garmo has been selected to the 2013 Michigan Rising Stars list. Each year, no more than 2.5 percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor. Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters business, is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The annual selections are made using a patented multiphase process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, an independent research evaluation of candidates and peer reviews by practice area. The result is a credible, comprehensive and diverse listing of exceptional attorneys.The Super Lawyers lists are published nationwide in Super Lawyers Magazines and in leading city and regional magazines and newspapers across the country. Super Lawyers Magazines also feature editorial profiles of attorneys who embody excellence in the practice of law. For more information about Super Lawyers, visit SuperLawyers.com.
Detroit Ordinances Crack Down on Overzealous Panhandlers
Especially with recent economic events, more and more people are finding themselves with nowhere else to turn besides relying on generosity of strangers. In response to this trend, the city of Detroit strengthened its anti-panhandling laws that have been in place since 1996. The new law, while deferential, to first amendment rights to ask for charity in public prohibits:
- Forcing themselves on another person
- Block their way
- Continue to beg after a person reacts negatively
- Touch an individual in a tortious way
- Solicit on marked no solicitation areas
Garmo and Kiste, PLC is your home for changes and updates to laws that affect you in the metro Detroit area.
If you have legal questions or concerns call us at (248) 398-7100 for a free consultation or contact us with a private message.
Garmo & Kiste, PLC adds a Lake Orion Satellite Office, Serving North Oakland and Lapeer County
We are excited to announce that we have opened a satellite office space located at 236 S. Broadway St. Lake Orion, MI 48063! Our main office will remain at 240 W. Big Beaver Rd., Troy, MI 48099, and we will be expanding and remodeling this space over the next 3-4 months.
This expansion is an attempt to better serve our clients in the North Oakland and Lapeer areas, Courts that we regularly frequent. Each court has its quirks, and our attorneys will work to secure you the best possible legal result. For all of your legal needs call Garmo & Kiste, PLC at (248) 398-7100 for a free consultation or contact us with a private message. We are experienced Michigan attorneys with offices in Troy and Lake Orion, MI.
Did you catch us on WOMC this morning?
Our very own Brian Garmo spoke with Bobby and Stacey this morning on the air! We admit we were a little star struck, but Brian proved even lawyers can laugh at themselves. Brian was “guilty as charged” of liking the doughnuts the station was kind enough to provide.
http://womc.cbslocal.com/show/bobby-stacey/
We love opportunities like this to let more people know what were about, where were located, and just how competitive our pricing is. Contact Brian Garmo at (248) 398-7100, Ext. 2 for a free consultation or contact us with a private message.
Allowing Another to Use A Deer Tag
It is deer hunting season in Michigan at last! Among other regulations on deer hunting, if you sell, loan, or permit another to use a deer tag you applied for, you could be charged with a misdemeanor in the state of Michigan. The state has been cracking down on these types of violations, and if you have been charged pursuant to MCL 324.43558 you could be facing high costs, a lengthy term of reporting probation, or even jail time. The experienced attorneys of Garmo & Kiste, PLC frequent all metro Detroit courts and can negotiate with the prosecutor or city attorney who is assigned to your case and attempt to negotiate a deal.
To retain Garmo & Kiste, PLC call us at (248) 398-7100 for a free consultation or contact us with a private message.
Purchase Deer License without Hunter Safety License
Michigan is well known for its deer hunting season, but some of the hunting regulations can be very obscure. For example, if you purchase or attempt to purchase a Deer license without having first completed the hunter’s safety class, you may be guilty of a misdemeanor. The state has been cracking down on these types of violations, and if you have been charged pursuant to MCL 324.43558 or MCL 324.43558(i) you could be facing high costs, a lengthy term of reporting probation, or even jail time. The experienced attorneys of Garmo & Kiste, PLC frequent all metro Detroit courts and can negotiate with the prosecutor or city attorney who is assigned to your case and attempt to negotiate a deal.
To retain Garmo & Kiste, PLC call us at (248) 398-7100 for a free consultation or contact us with a private message.
What is a pre-trial conference?
If all a court appearance entailed were what you see on Law and Order, you may very well not need a lawyer to represent you. You know the facts and circumstances of your own case better than anyone. However, the parts that they don’t show, the negotiation with prosecutors, case evaluations, and pretrial conferences are what actually wins or loses 9 out of 10 cases. This is where having a dedicated lawyer, and not one who is court appointed, can win your case. It can even save you time and money. For example, if you do not have an attorney you must show up to court to be arraigned, whereas if you have one this can usually be rolled in with a pre-trial conference, reducing total court time.
What happens at the pre-trial conference depends on whether your case is civil or criminal. Generally in a criminal matter this is the appropriate time to negotiate a plea bargain, attempt to get the charges dismissed, or set bond conditions if necessary. In both civil and criminal matters important dates are set, and there is an opportunity to assess the strength of each party’s case. A pre-trial conference is one of those procedural aspects of the law that can be at worst very scary, and at best a huge hassle if you are not familiar with the political process. An experienced attorney can turn this hearing into an opportunity for you. Our attorneys are regulars at metro Detroit courts and know the judges, prosecutors, and city attorneys who will be assigned to your case. We can put this experience to work for you and attempt to negotiate an early settlement saving you time and money.
To retain Garmo & Kiste, PLC call us at (248) 398-7100 for a free consultation or contact us with a private message.
Every year with the Holidays, Shop Lifting Increases
Shoplifting has risen approximately 20% over the last several years in part because of the poor economy, with a spike in shoplifting and shoplifting arrests during the holidays.Simply put, more shoppers and shopping means more opportunity for shoplifting. And the items most stolen might surprise, such as expensive meat cuts, razors, and tooth brushes.
From the Detroit Free Press:
http://www.freep.com/VideoNetwork/1303938744001/Top-5-Shoplifted-Items
Police departments across Metro Detroit will be on guard against shoplifters during the holiday shopping season. Many local Police for example, will step up patrols around shopping centers, and vendors will increases security efforts.
Under Michigan law, shoplifting is considered retail fraud. Charges for the crime range from first to third degree, depending on the severity and the value of the stolen items.
For more information about the Michigan Retail Fraud laws and to retain Garmo & Kiste, PLC, call us at (248) 398-7100 for a free consultation or contact us with a private message. We are experienced Michigan attorneys with offices in Troy, MI.
Read our detailed article on Retail Fraud using the link below:
From The Detroit News:
http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20121126/METRO02/211260342#ixzz2DKNGycZq
From the Detroit Free Press:
http://www.freep.com/article/20121102/NEWS03/121101016/Shoplifter-steals-1250-Gucci-jacket
Examples of Retail Stores Our Firm Typically Deals With:
Kohls, GM Renaissance Center, Laurel Park Place, Southland Center, Oakland Mall, twelve oaks mall, Partiage Creek, Great Lakes Crossing, Somerset Collection, Lakeside Mall, abercrombie, Abercrombie & Fitch, aerie, Aéropostale, ALDO,American Eagle Outfitters, Bath & Body Works, bebe, Body Shop, The, Brookstone, Buckle, Caché, Champs Sports, Charlotte Russe, Christopher & Banks, Claire’s, Disney Store, Express, f.y.e., Finish Line, Foot Locker, Forever 21, GNC, GUESS, Gymboree, H&M, Helzberg Diamonds, Hollister Co., Hot Topic, Ice Age, Icing, J.B. Robinson Jewelers, JCPenney, Johnston & Murphy, Journeys, Justice, Kay Jewelers, Lady Foot Locker, Leather City, LensCrafters, Lids, Limited, The, Lord & Taylor, Macy’s, Men’s Wearhouse,Merle Norman,Motherhood Maternity, Naturalizer Shoes, New York & Company, PacSun, Payless ShoeSource, Perfumania, Prestige Jewelers, Ritz Camera, rue21,Sears, SoHo, Spencer’s, stride rite, Sunglass Hut, Tapper’s Gold Exchange, Teavana, Things Remembered, Torrid, Toys”R”Us,Trade Secret, Underground Station, Vanity, Victoria’s Secret, Vitamin World, Wet Seal, Windsor, Yankee Candle, Zales Jewelers, Zumiez, Allen Edmonds, Ann Taylor, Anthropologie, Apple, Arden B., AX Armani Exchange, babyGap, Bachrach, Banana Republic, Bare Escentuals, BCBG Max Azria, bebe, Betsey Johnson, Brighton Collectibles, Brooks Brothers, Brookstone, Build-A-Bear Workshop, Burberry, Cache, Coach, Cole Haan, Crate & Barrel, Crocs, EB Games, Eddie Bauer, Meijer, Whole Foods, Trader Joes’, Express/Expressmen, Foot Locker, For Love 21, Fossil, Franklin Covey, Free People, Gap,GapKids, Gucci, Guess, J. Crew/crewcuts , Janie and Jack, Johnston & Murphy, Juicy Couture, kate spade new york, L’Occitane, Lacoste, Lego, Levi’s Store, Lilly Pulitzer, LOFT, Louis Vuitton, Lucky Brand Jeans, lululemonathletica, Lush, M.A.C., Madewell, Marmi, MaxAzria, MaxMara, Michael Kors, Montblanc, Needle & Thread, Neiman Marcus, Nine West, Nordstrom, OMEGA, Origins, Pacific Sunwear, Pandora, Papyrus, Paradise Pen Company, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, Ralph Lauren, Restoration Hardware, Saks Fifth Avenue, SEE Eyewear, Sephora, Soma Intimates, Somerset Collection, St. Croix, Steve Madden, Stride Rite, Stuart Weitzman, Swarovski, Talbots | Talbots Petites,Wal-Mart, CostCo, GolfSmith, REi, PetCo, PetsMart, Kmart, Mc Sporting Goods, Sam’s Club, The Art of Shaving, The Body Shop, The Detroit Shoppe, The Limited, The North Face, The Walking Company, Tiffany & Co., Tommy Bahama, Tory Burch, Tourneau, True Religion Brand Jeans, Tumi, Vera Bradley, Victoria’s Secret, White House/Black Market, Williams-Sonoma, Wolford, OfficeMax, Office Depot, Barnes & Noble, Old Navy, TJmaxs, Marshalls, Tanager Outlet Mall, Home Goods, staples, Bed bath and beyond, Walmart, DSW, Ulta, Family Christian Stores, GameStop, ABC warehouse, RadioShack, Pier One, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Jo Ann Fabrics, Michaels, Target, Dots, universal mall, northland mall, Biglots, CVS, RiteAid, Walgreens, Fairlane Mall, Fountain Walk mall, Southland Center, Value City furniture, Art van Furniture, Hobby Lobby, Best Buy, Burlington Coat Factory, IKEA, Summit Palace Mall, Home Depot, Lowes,
Credit Card and Debt Settlements
Credit Card and Debt Settlements - at Garmo & Kiste, PLC we are proud of the settlements we have been able to get our clients on all sorts of outstanding debts.
Here are some of our hall of fame debt settlements results:
$197,103.00 settled for $26,000.00 in Oakland County.
$100,000.00 settled for $24,000.00 in Oakland County.
$54,000.00 settled for $5,000.00 in Wayne County.
$48,000.00 settled for $8,000.00 in Macomb County.
$52,000.00 settled for $11,000.00 in Wayne County.
As you can see many of these debts were settled for mere pennies on the dollar. Even if you do not have a large lump sum available, we may be able to negotiate an upfront payment followed by a payment plan. This will stop creditors calling and can even prevent litigation.
To retain Garmo & Kiste, PLC, for assistance in debt settlements call us at (248) 398-7100 for a free consultation or contact us with a private message.
We are experienced Michigan attorneys with offices in Troy, MI and would be willing enough to take care of your debt settlements.
Exceptions – When can minors possess alcohol?
While minors are generally prohibited from the possession of alcohol, there are a few occasions where it is legal. First, in the course of employment with an employer that is operating pursuant to a properly obtained and maintained liquor license, a minor over the age of 18 may handle alcohol. Secondly, a minor may consume alcohol during post-secondary coursework provided it takes place in an educational institution and with the supervision of faculty. Third, a minor may consume alcohol through practice of generally recognized religious service or ceremony provided their blood alcohol content is not higher than .02. Finally, a minor may be in the possession of alcohol if they are assisting law enforcement in a “sting” operation to ensure compliance with state and federal law. If you have received an MIP but fall under one of these categories an experienced attorney can help secure the best result in your case.
