Gov. Snyder signs legislation to lay framework for prior felons to gain employment with MDOC

LANSING, Mich. (WLUC) – A framework to allow individuals with a prior felony conviction to pursue employment at the Michigan Department of Corrections will be created under legislation signed Thursday by Gov. Rick Snyder. Creating opportunities for previous offenders to have successful reentry into society was one of the key priorities…

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House OKs bill to raise federal penalty for genital mutilation

In a bipartisan show of support, a proposed law to increase the federal penalty for female genital mutilation was passed unanimously by the U.S. House of Representatives on Dec. 5. Sponsored by Rep. Dave Trott, a Republican from Birmingham, the Stopping Abusive Female Exploitation Act establishes a maximum 15-year prison…

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House increases penalty for female genital mutilation

Washington — The U.S. House on Tuesday unanimously approved a bipartisan bill sponsored by Michigan Rep. Dave Trott that would increase the maximum federal penalty for female genital mutilation from five years in prison to 15 years. The vote was 409-0. Trott, R-Birmingham, said he was moved to introduce the legislation…

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Doctor in genital cutting case freed on a $4.5M bond

Dr. Jumana Nagarwala, the lead defendant in an historic genital cutting trial, was freed Tuesday on a $4.5 million bond, secured by generous friends. After seven months in jail, a doctor charged with cutting the genitals of numerous minor girls as part of a religious tradition was freed Tuesday after16 ofher friends offered…

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Michigan attorney takes on high-profile sex cases

Bloomfield Hills — Michigan attorney Shannon Smith only defends people accused of Michigan’s most serious sex crimes. That’s on purpose. “I like the stakes being high,” Smith said in an interview at her office in Bloomfield Hills, surrounded by pictures of her husband and four children. She turns away 90 percent…

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Michigan Attorney Takes on Notorious Sex Cases

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich. (AP) — Michigan attorney Shannon Smith only defends people accused of Michigan’s most serious sex crimes. That’s on purpose. “I like the stakes being high,” Smith said in a September interview at her office in Bloomfield Hills, surrounded by pictures of her husband and four children. She turns away…

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