Craig W Elhart, PC

02/27/2025

06/24/2022

About an hour ago, Roe v Wade was overturned in a landmark decision by the current US Supreme Court. A full-text of the 213 page opinion can be found on the internet. It has significant legal ramifications.

06/06/2022

I am honored to have been selected the Red Hot Best attorney by the 22,000 that voted in Traverse Magazine. It is my employees that make me. Thank you to all!

04/24/2022

The last two (2) years , under COVID , have made it nearly impossible to try cases Due to social distancing guidelines we have , in many Circuits, have made it impossible to sit juries. Some Circuits are hundreds of cases in arrears. Last week I finally was able to try a case in Chippewa county. After 45 minutes the jury came back with a not guilty. I was relieved that I had not completely lost my touch. That Circuit is in excess of 200 cases waiting for trial.

01/17/2022

All of the pundits say that we, as U.S. Citizens, are divided. They say we are a divisive nation.

We have always had division in our nation. It is helpful on Martin Luther King Jr. Day to look back to the 60's and early 70's. A U.S. president was assassinated, John F. Kennedy. A presidential candidate was assassinated, Robert Kennedy. The Civil Rights movement had U.S. cities ablaze. The Vietnam War spawned innumerable protests, sit ins and marches. The Democratic Convention of 1968 was unbelievable, with riots in the streets in Chicago and of course Dr. King was assassinated.

Fifty years ago, this nation was every bit divided as it is today. We must continue to strive to protect the individual rights of all people. That goal will always create strife and discord but we cannot quit the fight. We must have a society that is open to all and fair to all.

As an attorney I will continue to keep our constitutional protections in place and work for a better society.

07/03/2021

I am exceptionally pleased with the work being performed by my two paralegals, Chloe Ellison the right and Kendra Kehring on the left Both perform a professional and caring job for the clients that they interact with. Thank you ladies!!!!

06/25/2021

Last week we celebrated that my exceptional secretary Judy had worked with me for 43 years.

04/29/2021

The Clean Slate Bill is now in effect as of April 11, 2021. What does that mean?

The purpose of the Clean Slate Bill is to reform expungement laws. Individuals with a criminal record may be eligible to have certain felonies and misdemeanor convictions erased from their criminal record. A clean record will afford higher chances for employment, housing, and financial aid.

Contact our office today to help expunge your record and start a clean slate!

03/09/2021

This weekend we lost a great man. Frank J. Kelley, Michigan's longest-serving Attorney General died. A former Alpena attorney, he helped inspire me to go to law school and fight for individuals' rights.

In 1971 I lived in one of the Resident Halls at Michigan State University. Mr. Kelley was the State's Attorney General. I invited him to speak about the Civil Rights movement at the Resident Hall. He graciously accepted and spoke to a group of students for several hours. After the talk, he took me to a local bar and over beers we talked for several more hours about Civil Rights and the law.

His influence, and the time, inspired me to become an attorney. RIP Frank J. Kelley.

02/11/2021

Zoom hearings are currently being conducted for most Court hearings. We have received the following notice of which all should be made aware.

"Courtroom decorum shows respect for the Court as a whole. When parties are physically present in the courtroom, proper decorum and attire are expected. Clearly, there are exceptions for those in pre and post trial custody. The concern I have comes from relaxed practices during virtual courtroom appearances. Similarly, while conducting court virtually, those appearing before the Court are expected to maintain the same decorum and attire as in a physical courtroom. Please ensure that your clients and witnesses are made aware of this expectation.
Participants must appear on time. They should be proactive to insure they know how to dial-in and operate their devices effectively. That includes audio and video. They are to ensure there are no distractions on their end, such as animals, children, televisions, radios, or the like. They are to be in proper attire. They are not to be smoking, eating, consuming beverages, or speaking to others in the background."

01/06/2021

Governor Whitmer signed a number of bills into law Monday addressing jail and criminal justice reform in the state. Much of the legislation has been in the works since 2019. The package of bills signed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer address a number of issues in Michigan’s criminal justice system, i...