Order Michigan Supreme Court
Lansing, Michigan
March 25, 2015 Robert P. Young, Jr.,
Chief Justice
Stephen J. Markman
Mary Beth Kelly
150371 Brian K. Zahra
Bridget M. McCormack
David F. Viviano
Richard H. Bernstein,
PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN, Justices
Plaintiff-Appellant,
v SC: 150371
COA: 314877
Muskegon CC: 12-062736-FH
CHARLES ALMANDO-MAURICE DUNBAR,
Defendant-Appellee.
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On order of the Court, the application for leave to appeal the September 9, 2014
judgment of the Court of Appeals is considered. We direct the Clerk to schedule oral
argument on whether to grant the application or take other action. MCR 7.302(H)(1).
We ORDER the Muskegon Circuit Court, in accordance with Administrative Order
2003-03, to determine whether the defendant is indigent and, if so, to appoint attorney
Michael L. Oakes, if feasible, to represent the defendant in this Court. If this
appointment is not feasible, the trial court shall, within the same time frame, appoint
other counsel to represent the defendant in this Court. If the defendant is not indigent, he
must retain his own counsel.
The parties shall file supplemental briefs within 42 days of the date of the order
appointing counsel, or of the ruling that the defendant is not entitled to appointed counsel,
addressing whether the license plate affixed to the defendant’s vehicle violated MCL
257.225(2) where it was obstructed by a towing ball, thereby permitting law enforcement
officers to conduct a traffic stop of the defendant’s vehicle. The parties should not
submit mere restatements of their application papers.
The Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan and the Criminal Defense
Attorneys of Michigan are invited to file briefs amicus curiae. Other persons or groups
interested in the determination of the issue presented in this case may move the Court for
permission to file briefs amicus curiae.
I, Larry S. Royster, Clerk of the Michigan Supreme Court, certify that the
foregoing is a true and complete copy of the order entered at the direction of the Court.
March 25, 2015
s0318
Clerk