The Law Offices of William G. Burdette, PC

05/04/2024

The Michigan Supreme Court held that the exclusionary rule does not apply in this case and then never addressed the 4th Amendment issue. Therefore under this ruling your local, State, and Federal government can surveil your property with drones and take photos and video of you to collect evidence on any infraction they claim is not criminal. Such as zoning and other government agency regulations. The Michigan Supreme Court is wrong.

The Michigan Supreme Court unanimously ruled in favor of a local government Friday in a dispute over sending a drone to take pictures of a rural salvage yard wi

11/01/2023

Does it constitute an illegal search if a drug sniffing dog puts his paws on your car? I found a case in Idaho that says yes. Well see what Michigan says.

10/08/2023

This should be interesting. On to the US Supreme Court if we are denied

TRAVERSE CITY — The state’s highest court will hear arguments on a local zoning case after a Long Lake Township couple says officials violated their rights by flying a drone

06/02/2023

06/02/2023

The City is mourning the loss of former Police and Fire Chief, Ralph Soffredine, who passed away Memorial Weekend. Soffredine served as police chief and fire chief in the City for 21 years, and retired in 2003. He then went on to serve on the City Commission from 2003 - 2011. Soffredine also served on the boards for TCAPS and the Women's Resource Center.

"Ralph was an inspiration and example for all of us in public service. His time serving as Chief of the Police and Fire Departments, on the TCAPS Board, City Commission and the many community boards within our community showed his dedication to our community. More importantly, he cared about every individual he came in contact with and I was fortunate to be a recipient of that caring on many occasions. Our deepest condolences go out to Pam and family. Thank you for sharing him with us," says Traverse City Mayor Richard Lewis.

Traverse City Police Chief Jeffrey O'Brien stated, "In 2003, Representative Bart Stupak recognized Ralph on the floor of the US Congress. With all of the accomplishments Ralph had achieved, he emphasized implementing community policing at the Traverse City Police Department as his greatest accomplishment. We have attempted to live out his vision within the department for the past eight years."

"I have known Ralph Soffredine since the early 1990's when he filled the position of Public Safety Director for City Fire and City Police upon the retirement of then Fire Chief Charlie Duell. I worked for/with Chief Soffredine until Ed Fisher took over as Fire Chief in 2002. During his tenure at the fire department, he helped us acquire new fire apparatus, equipment and other items we need to protect the community. In my experience, Ralph was a good person to work for and he was always willing to take time to lend an ear to help others with challenges they may be having whether work-related or personal. Chief Soffredine set the bar for public service beyond his position and being involved in the Community through his seats on various boards, commissions and committees. I will miss him and his habit of trying to crush my right hand every time we shook hands," stated Traverse City Fire Chief Jim Tuller.

We thank Ralph Soffredine for his many years of dedicated service to law enforcement, education, and community, and extend our sincere condolences to his loved ones.

06/01/2023

A longstanding battle involving a township’s use of a drone to take aerial photographs of a Northern Michigan couple’s property without a warrant is headed back to the Michigan Supreme Court.

05/25/2023

Warrantless Drone Surveillance Case Will Be Heard at Michigan Supreme Court It’s a case which has become textbook material for the drone industry (there’s a great article in JDSupra here discussing the potential impact on commercial drone operations.) Can government or public safety agencies use...

02/17/2023

TRAVERSE CITY — A Long Lake Township couple is again asking the Michigan Supreme Court to consider whether zoning officials violated their civil rights by flying a drone over their

02/08/2023

12/24/2022

Merry Christmas