Michigan

California v. Hodari D. in Michigan Law

How California v. Hodari D. applies in Michigan: state-specific rules, key cases, and bar exam notes for Criminal Procedure.

State Approach

Michigan follows the principle established in California v. Hodari D., which differentiates between a seizure and mere police pursuit. Under Michigan law, a person is not seized for Fourth Amendment purposes until a reasonable person would feel they were not free to leave.

State Rule
A suspect is only considered seized when they submit to an officer's authority or are physically restrained, aligning with Hodari's distinction of a 'show of authority' versus actual seizure.
Significant State Cases

People v. Williams

The Michigan Supreme Court held that voluntary flight from an officer does not constitute a seizure until there is a physical or verbal command to stop.

People v. McCain

In this case, the court ruled that a suspect's movement in response to police pursuit does not amount to submitting to officer authority, thus affirming Hodari D. principles.

People v. McCormick

The court found that a suspect's flight from police in a high-crime area did not establish reasonable suspicion for a stop until a show of authority occurred.

Comparison to Federal Law

Michigan's approach largely mirrors the federal standard established in Hodari D., which emphasizes the importance of both physical restraint and submission to authority in determining a seizure. However, Michigan courts may provide nuanced interpretations based on state-specific criminal procedure laws.

Bar Exam Note

Students should understand the implications of Hodari D. for issues concerning police pursuits and seizures, as these topics frequently appear on Michigan bar exams.

Practice Pointers
  • Always assess whether a suspect submitted to authority in seizure cases.
  • Consider the context of police pursuits and the concept of 'reasonable person' under the Fourth Amendment.
  • Review relevant Michigan cases that apply Hodari D. principles for better exam performance.

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