Ann Arbor DDA member arraigned on sexual assault charge
Nader Nassif
Courtesy of WCSO
Nader Nassif, a 29-year-old Ann Arbor defense attorney and Downtown Development Authority member arrested Wednesday, was formally charged Friday afternoon with sexual assault in the 15th District Court, police have confirmed.
Nassif was charged with one count of third-degree criminal sexual conduct and released from custody that same day on a 10 percent of $25,000 bond, according to officials with the Washtenaw County Jail.
Third-degree CSC involves penetration and can also involve force or coercion. It is a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
Ann Arbor police on Saturday couldn't discuss details of the case. The department policy is to not release information about sexual assaults currently under investigation because of the sensitive nature of the cases, said Lt. Robert Pfannes.
Nassif was arrested Wednesday in the 200 block of South Fourth Avenue.
The arraignment was initially scheduled to take place Friday at Pittsfield Township's 14A-1 District Court, but the venue was changed to the 15th District Court in downtown Ann Arbor.
Nassif is a criminal defense attorney and a member of the Ann Arbor DDA since 2011. He is a former attorney with the Washtenaw County Public Defender's Office and the Lorandos Joshi Law Firm, and currently runs his own law firm, The Nassif Law Firm PLLC, at 202 E. Huron St. in Ann Arbor.
John Counts covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at johncounts@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Comments
faypatri
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 2:29 a.m.
I know Nader from Tennis and he has been my lawyer in the past. He is a man of great integrity and I find it very hard to believe this article. My support goes out to Nader remember that in the United States that we are innocent until proven guilty.
Nicholas Urfe
Wed, Aug 7, 2013 : 1:46 p.m.
So when is the next court case? Where is the updated information from the warrant, arrest, etc?
windjmar
Tue, Aug 6, 2013 : 10:01 p.m.
On-line name/case search 15th District http://www.a2gov.org/services/OtherServices/ 15D/Pages/OnlineCaseSearch.aspx
John Counts
Tue, Aug 6, 2013 : 8:04 p.m.
Quick update: I've spoken with the 15th District Court about why the arraignment happened the way it did. Basically, once a suspect is arrested, they have 48 hours to be arraigned or else police have to let them go. That time was going to run out at 2 p.m. on Friday. There weren't any magistrates available at 14A-1 District so the arraignment took place at 15th District Court, where there was still a magistrate on duty. Nassif was arraigned by Magistrate Collen Currie.
Colorado Sun
Tue, Aug 6, 2013 : 10:53 p.m.
John: Has there been a preliminary examination scheduled? Who posted bond on his behalf? Who was his defense counsel? What are the terms of his bond? e.g. no drinking alcohol etc.
michutefan
Tue, Aug 6, 2013 : 3:13 p.m.
Why is the headline about a DDA member and not refer to an "Ann Arbor Defense Attorney..."?
Goofus
Tue, Aug 6, 2013 : 3:54 a.m.
How's that wily ol' Nassif gonna get out of this one? Stay tuned!
theTruth
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 9:23 p.m.
Thank you Ryan Stanton for at least trying to get an answer from Kieth Zeisloft. Unless my comment is removed, this does relate to the history of how the 15th District Court handles situations where there are victims, and who people like Keith Zeisloft have backed up in the past. Please ask the hard questions and not let authority control so, so much.
windjmar
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 9:23 p.m.
Link to follow 15th District dockets or look up public information when posted -- says as of August 5th: http://www.a2gov.org/services/OtherServices/15D/Pages/OnlineCaseSearch.aspx
Ryan J. Stanton
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 7:56 p.m.
Nassif is the city of Ann Arbor's contract public defender. I asked Keith Zeisloft, court administrator for the 15th District Court, how this matter might affect the contract with Nassif's firm for indigent representation and he said the court has no comment at this time.
The Eyes of Justice Team
Tue, Aug 6, 2013 : 2:05 a.m.
The Eyes of Justice Team is a group of politically conected individuals that work at City Hall, our mission is to Stop Corruption in the Ann Arbor Judicial System.
Colorado Sun
Tue, Aug 6, 2013 : 12:30 a.m.
@EOJ Team: Is that Nader Nassif in your icon - it looks like him? Naw....... Can't be.............
The Eyes of Justice Team
Tue, Aug 6, 2013 : 12:17 a.m.
Mr. Nassif should recuse himself from any cases Downtown till there is a verdict in this Case.
PineyWoodsGuy
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 8:44 p.m.
@Colorado Sun. You misspoke and posted "until a felony conviction occurs." Should be: "UNLESS a felony conviction occurs."
Colorado Sun
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 8:34 p.m.
I saw this issue come up when Michael Fletcher got charged with killing his wife. The Warren City Council agreed there was no basis to deny payment for services rendered. The question here will be whether his firm can still provide full representation. Also does the retention agreement afford an "out" to the City of Ann Arbor under these circumstances. His law license will be inviolate until a felony conviction occurs.
The Eyes of Justice Team
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 7:55 p.m.
I wonder what Judge Mr Nassif was infront?? Hmm ???
Basic Bob
Tue, Aug 6, 2013 : 3:26 a.m.
Just asking, aren't Justice's eyes covered by a blindfold?
theTruth
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 9:26 p.m.
Exactly, it's who you know and what boundries they are willing to cross.
Colorado Sun
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 8:30 p.m.
Good question! Who set the bond? Nader Nassif has some good judicial connections...............................
PineyWoodsGuy
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 4:55 p.m.
@Colorado Sun. You make many excellent points! Could be that this comment board is trying the prosecution in the press, rather than trying the defendant. If the story explodes beyond the current charge, we're gonna see national TV recording the drama!
PineyWoodsGuy
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 4:48 p.m.
To gild David C's lily, he is generally correct but wrong about the "complaint." Two documents should be available at this time (5 Aug 2013) for any citizen to view: 1. Warrant and 2. Complaint. If the accused waives a Preliminary Examination in the District Court, or if an examination is had and the District Judge is convinced that a felony was committed and there is "probable cause" that the accused committed the felony, then he is "bound over" to Circuit Court for trial. When the file is turned-over to the Circuit Court Clerk, at that time what David C refers to as the "Complaint" is filed. Dig? In the "old days" judges would "suppress" the file in any civil case involving a lawyer. Has this local custom been extended to criminal cases?
Colorado Sun
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 4:34 p.m.
The last I checked he was "of counsel" to the Lorandos Joshi firm - meaning their is a non-employee affiliation. I remember a few years ago there was a young politically-connected Arab-American attorney affiliated with the prestigious Miller Canfield firm, Tim Attalla (like Nassif, a Cooley Law grad) who was charged in federal court with drug possession and obstruction of justice. Turns out the drug possession was an uncorrobated testimony of an informant that Atalla was seen with a Viagra tablet and the obstruction of justice charge arose from his advice to an arrestee not to submit to a detective's interrogation. Attalla was acquitted by U.S. District Court Judge Nancy Edmunds after a bench trial. Find out who the detective is on this case and whether or not he has had past beefs with Nassif in prior cases Nassif has defended. Certain AAPD detectives are overzealous. Also discover who in the County Prosecutor's office authorized issuance of the arrest warrant. Why was he arrested off the street when he could have been notified to turn himself in - as public figures like Sheriff William Hackel and Geoffrey Fieger were? This suggests vindictiveness. Why was he held for days without arraignment? Why was he arrested only days before a crucial primary election in which the DDA is a campaign issue? AAPD union members have been upset at the Mayor's administration in recent years over layoffs and benefit reductions. Nasser has close ties to the Mayor, members of the judiciary, and local business owners. I do not believe the Mayor had been aware of the arrest until it was reported Friday in annarbor.com
The Eyes of Justice Team
Tue, Aug 6, 2013 : 12:13 a.m.
Nasser has close ties to a certain "Judge"
LXIX
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 4:08 p.m.
Nassif gets a six figure income from the City for indigent legal work. If the victim was a Nassif indigent client, isn't the City suit liable for its paid legal "recomendation" ? Unless the billing paperwork is somehow altered in the mean time, any indigent clients intended to be paid for by the City would be public record? Who was the arraignment judge and who set bail? If only 10% is covered what is the point of any other amount? Who is responsible if Nassif jumps? Does the case then just "disappear"? The victim unable to receive justice or sue the City? This whole drama stinks of Ann Arbor City corruption. Mr. Mayor.
The Eyes of Justice Team
Tue, Aug 6, 2013 : 2:36 a.m.
A complete conflict of intrest, this matter will be reported to the Judical Tender Commision.
michmana2
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 7:57 p.m.
BY the way. Here is the difference between Revenue and Income. http://www.diffen.com/difference/Income_vs_Revenue
michmana2
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 7:54 p.m.
Whether or not he has a beemer and travels to Miami is irrelevant. You have no idea where he gets his money. His bond was set at $25,000 -- very standard in these cases. What dont you understand? It was a 10% bond -- $2,500 is what he was required to post. It is not rocket science. Whoever put up the bond is responsible. You say this looks like a real criminal case -- other than Mr Nassif being charged, what facts do you have? ZERO The police charge people all the time. In many cases, the charges are dropped. In many cases, a defendant is acquitted. What favorable treatments has he received? The fuss stems from uneducated people like you that are screaming "corruption" before the facts of the case have even come out.
LXIX
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 6:57 p.m.
Right. Nassif's solely owned business gets a six figure "income" from the city and the poor guy can barely afford his beemer and frequent trips to Miami. If Nassif grossed more than $100k and the CIty contracted him for more than $100k then his "income" from the city was at least six figures. Even if his net "income" was $1. Standard procedure - doesn't answer why bail was set at $2500 instead of $25,000. This might make sense for "indigents" with misdemeanors who have to work to pay off the court costs but not a high-profile figure of means. Bail means bail. Unlike the bail bonds folk who will pursue an absentee, if Nassif put up his own bail (why wouldn't he?) then who is responsible for the other 90% if he flees? - the judge? - not a brilliant move by the court. If it looks, quacks, waddles like a duck then odds are good it is a duck. So far this looks like a real criminal case with a real public figure, with real embarrassing government connections, with a real series of favourable treatments and absence of information and deception so far as happens when there is also corruption at work. You are correct - nothing has been proven, it could be just another duck. If there is no victim then why all the fuss? Just a waste of LCD newsprint.
michmana2
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 5:52 p.m.
Nassif does not necessarily get a "six figure income from the City for indigent legal work." That is the total revenue for the contract to his law firm. Clearly, there are substantial expenses associated with representing these clients including paying for the overhead for his law firm (rent, associates, admin. assistants, operating expenses, etc) A 10% cash bond is very common in these cases. If the defendant attends all court appearances and doesn't violate any other condition of the bond, 90% of the money posted will be returned minus court costs and fines. If the defendant misses a court appearance, or violates any other condition of the bond, the person who posted the bond will usually be liable for the remainder of the bond (100%). If the defendant is found not guilty, 100% of the money will be returned. How can you cry corruption when you do not know any of the facts? First, we do not know if there is a victim -- only that there is an "alleged" victim. I have not seen one thing out of the ordinary in the way this case has been handled -- only how it has been reported.
John Counts
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 3:01 p.m.
The bond amount was 10 percent of $25,000, I just learned. The story has been updated accordingly.
LaMusica
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 5 p.m.
Thanks for the updates, John!
David Cahill
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 2:19 p.m.
When the court file is available, it will also include the date, time, and place for the next step in the proceedings: the preliminary examination.
windjmar
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 8:41 p.m.
Read the docketing statement -- which may be available on-line as well if still in the district court!
John Counts
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 2:07 p.m.
I was just over at the courthouse. There is no record available for review -- in fact the case is not yet in the computer system. I'm not sure if this is just a data processing issue or not. There is occasionally a lag of warrants, records being entered into the system over the weekend.
The Eyes of Justice Team
Tue, Aug 6, 2013 : 2:40 a.m.
@A2 it is the Ann Arbor way @Counts Thank You, your work is apreciated.
A2comments
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 6:37 p.m.
In other words, we're hiding things until you figure out how to force us to show you them.
David Cahill
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 1:57 p.m.
The standard "complaint" form for a felony, which starts the case, has a space for the name of the "victim or complainant". It also has a space in which the defendant's claimed criminal conduct is set forth. Typically this is a brief statement without a lot of detail. The "complaint" should be in Mr. Nassif's court file and available for reading and/or copying.
The Eyes of Justice Team
Tue, Aug 6, 2013 : 12:12 a.m.
Good Point!
David Anderson
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 1:40 p.m.
Looks like he is already getting preferential treatment. This case is going nowhere!
michmana2
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 5:55 p.m.
Please explain how he is getting preferential treatment. I have not seen anything out of the ordinary in how this case was handled.
Nicholas Urfe
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 1:40 p.m.
Bond seems low at $25K for a sexual assault felony. In comparison, Weinblatt's bond was $50K, and he was booked into the jail. Weinblatt was not accused of physical sexual assault, but surveilling and peeping. Did Nassif avoid jail? How did he avoid jail when Weinblatt did not? Were there any conditions placed on his release? And look at all the details police released early on in the Weinblatt case. In Nassif's case we don't even know if the victim is a minor. http://www.annarbor.com/news/crime/ann-arbor-pediatrician-accused-of-peeping/ Dr. Howard Bruce Weinblatt, 65, who works at IHA Child Health - Ann Arbor, is charged with four counts of surveilling an unclothed person and two counts of window peeping. Magistrate Horne ordered that Weinblatt have no contact with the victim or the victim's family and that he not use alcohol or drugs. Court documents show Ann Arbor police asked Horne to set bond at $50,000, noting that the victim is a minor and that Weinblatt's position gives him access to minors.
Nicholas Urfe
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 2:39 p.m.
Thanks, John. While I cannot say I am happy that anyone spends time in jail before being convicted of a crime, it is good to see that the process is working normally.
John Counts
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 2:09 p.m.
Nassif was in custody from Wednesday until his arraignment on Friday, when he was given and posted a bond. Bond amounts always vary depending on a lot of factors: the alleged incident, the magistrate who sets it, etc.
Nicholas Urfe
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 1:28 p.m.
This charge could relate to a number of different circumstances. It may or may not involve a minor. http://www.legislature.mi.gov/%28S%28hhp1l455lcycv3ul3sxn1bmy%29%29/mileg.aspx?page=GetObject&objectname=mcl-750-520d 750.520d Criminal sexual conduct in the third degree; felony. (1) A person is guilty of criminal sexual conduct in the third degree if the person engages in sexual penetration with another person and if any of the following circumstances exist: (a) That other person is at least 13 years of age and under 16 years of age. (b) Force or coercion is used to accomplish the sexual penetration. (c) The actor knows or has reason to know that the victim is mentally incapable, mentally incapacitated, or physically helpless. (e) That other person is at least 16 years of age but less than 18 years of age and a student at a public school or nonpublic school ... The actor is a teacher, substitute teacher, administrator, employee, or contractual service provider of the public school, nonpublic school, school district, or intermediate school district (2) Criminal sexual conduct in the third degree is a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 15 years.
John Counts
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 1:27 p.m.
You can be sure if this case is thrown out, we will report it.
liekkio
Tue, Aug 6, 2013 : 6:22 p.m.
Really? So what happened to this case, for example: http://www.annarbor.com/news/crime/ann-arbor-man-charged-with-biting-two-men/ You must remember it, you wrote the article.
Nicholas Urfe
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 1:19 p.m.
So if this lawyer, who it was reported is an expert at defending sexual assault cases, manages to get the case thrown out, will we never get any further details?
Nicholas Urfe
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 12:57 p.m.
"The department policy is to not release information about sexual assaults currently under investigation because of the sensitive nature of the cases, said Lt. Robert Pfannes." We don't need details, but we want a summary of the charges and the criminal allegations. Wouldn't those details be available at the arraignment? How is it that we have received the basic particulars early on in other cases? It seems like we are getting a lot less info here, almost none.
Colorado Sun
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 7:58 p.m.
@lindor: Bingo! The factual underpinnings of the case are often revealed during bond consideration relative to the severity of the conduct alleged, the credibility of the accuser and the nature of what occurred. Discovery disclosure matters are often hashed out as well. Remember the juicy stuff revealed ath the Zimmerman bond hearing?
lindor
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 7:17 p.m.
Arraignment is a formal reading of the charges which often (almost never) happens. Attorneys stand up there, say they acknowledge receipt of complaint, waive its reading and plead not guilty. The only real talk that occurs is on the issue of bond.
Are you serious?
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 6:10 p.m.
"They wouldn't do a transcript of an arraignment because it's a simple formal reading of the charges." John - I think you may be wrong about that. Anything done in front of a judge (except for conferences at the bench) are recorded. You should be able to FOIA a transcript. However as you mentioned I doubt that there was anything more than the reading of the complaint and that can and often is waived.
Colorado Sun
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 4:59 p.m.
John: There should be transcripts of an arraignment and it is a disgrace if none were taken. The U.S. Supreme Court has stated that the criminal arraignment is a crucial stage of the proceedings. In the late 1970s, numerous murder convictions were vacated in Michigan courts that were entered in the 1930s because defendants pled guilty to murder without availability of counsel at arraignment and this was deemed to be a Sixth Amendment violation.
Nicholas Urfe
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 2:36 p.m.
Thanks, John. I hope the preliminary hearing isn't "oddly" scheduled.
John Counts
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 2:04 p.m.
They wouldn't do a transcript of an arraignment because it's a simple formal reading of the charges. There's no testimony. If there is a preliminary examination, which is the next step in the process and where there is testimony, you can be sure we'll cover it. Transcripts are available of prelims in the court records, too.
Nicholas Urfe
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 1:31 p.m.
Transcript of the arraignment?
John Counts
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 1:24 p.m.
Police agencies rarely give out any information about any sexual assault cases this early on. Keep in mind there is a person involved here who reported the assault. Police try to be as respectful as possible to victims. There would have been a little more information that came out at the arraignment -- as long as the defendant didn't waive the reading of the charges. But it still would have been very little -- maybe the date and place of the offense. Kyle showed up at 14A-1 District Court on Friday for the arraignment and was told it was postponed until Saturday. I showed up Saturday and was told it happened at the 15th District Court on Friday. I'm still trying to figure out how that happened.
Albert Howard
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 1:15 p.m.
@ Nicholas Urfe Truth. This article reads like a prepared statement.
Widow Wadman
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 12:23 p.m.
I'm keeping my mind open about the guilt or innocence of this individual, and I hope that annarbor.com stays on this story. Question: would most employer's put a person facing such a charge on leave or dismiss him or her? Another question: when would it be best for the mayor to remove this person from the DDA?
leezee
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 12:10 p.m.
I think the fact that he is part of the DDA is something that should be included in the article. As a member of the DDA he is considered a public figure. If he was a member of the county commissioners or the city council it would certainly be part of the information included in any media coverage. The fact that we are more concerned about the reputation of our city and not the fact that a person may have been assaulted is very sad. Let me just say this, if this crime was in fact committed, perhaps the perpetrator should have thought about the ramifications before harming someone.
windjmar
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 12:08 p.m.
The name "lawyer" needs to be put in the headline and he should be immediately suspended while these charges are pending and disbarred if found guilty. Surprised that he was awarded the defense contract with such little experience as a lawyer being admitted just in March 2009. http://www.michbar.org/memberdirectory/detail.cfm?PID=75309
Lily
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 1:29 p.m.
Who cares he he started off with little experience he is a great lawyer today and help many people out and knowing some if the details of the case I think he is not guilty. He is a "lawyer" but he is also a person.
Davel
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 11:56 a.m.
If these allegations prove true, my heart goes out to the victim. Sexual abuse of any kind is a serious offense, and I have seen the emotional scars from it years afterward in people I love. If Mr. Nassif is indeed guilty, then justice must be served. That said, I know Mr. Nassif, and this behavior doesn't seem like something he would do. Mr. Nassif, you see, helped save my daughter's life. She was a young woman with a serious heroin addiction who became indigent and got into legal troubles, due to her addiction. Despite what some who read this may be thinking, she is a beautiful, wonderful, intelligent, young woman with a loving family, and deserved a chance to make a change from bad choices she made in the past. As an indigent, she was fortunate to have this talented attorney represent her. He worked diligently with our daughter, our family, the courts, and local treatment facilities to get her the substance abuse treatment to address the root cause of her problems. Today my daughter is sober, holds a good job, and is in a relationship with a wonderful, supportive, non-using man. I would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank Mr. Nassif, the Ann Arbor courts, Washtenaw County Jail and Corrections, Brighton Hospital and Dawn Farm in making this possible. Only the addict can choose recovery, but the strong support network in Washtenaw County makes that choice more viable. This also benefits the Ann Arbor community. The pages of this publication have recently been full of stories regarding the heroin epidemic here, with the corresponding rise in crime it produces. Sadly, the obituaries are also frequently filled with the names of promising young people who have died from this poison. Mr. Nassif's name may be in troubling headlines, and if he is guilty as charged, then justice must be served. But his efforts have helped keep our daughter's name out of the obituaries, and for this – whatever the outcome of these allegations – we will be eternally grateful.
PKG
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 12:11 p.m.
As someone whose son was similarly helped by Mr. Nassif, I couldn't have said it better.
TryingToBeObjective
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 12:10 p.m.
Bravo to your daughter, davel. I'm sure it took a lot of personal strength to work through her addiction and get help. Best wishes on her continued sobriety.
jcj
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 11:32 a.m.
I am not a fan of the DDA . But would you say so and so was a member of such and such church? If there is any relevance indicated later that could have been told at that time. This is clearly a headline for grabbing attention. SHAMEFUL.
craigjjs
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 12:05 p.m.
I disagree. I have no axe to grind with the DDA and never heard of Mr. Nassif before now. The fact he is on the DDA board is newsworthy. Anyone in that position represents, directly or indirectly, the interests of the residents. Failure to report this fact would result in claims of favoritism. In fact, the first comment on this article alleged favoritism.
gofigure
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 12:03 p.m.
But would you say so and so was a member of such and such church? I..... Yes they would and should.
Are you serious?
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 12:03 p.m.
Last time I looked churches were private institutions and the DDA is not. Nothing shameful at all. Entirely appropriate reporting.
Albert Howard
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 11:11 a.m.
Why do you have to put the DDA part in there? It makes the Ann Arbor community look bad.
KateT
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 1:34 p.m.
Great Lakes Lady, you are so right!
Lily
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 1:33 p.m.
I agree
YpsiYapper
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 12:51 p.m.
I would hope that any journalist and a widely read publication would include the name of any Public Official, and the public agency they are affiliated with, who was arrested, then brought up on charges whether criminal or civil. If any publication failed to disclose alleged wrongdoing to keep the area looking pristine it may as well stop the presses. It would be irresponsible to not keep the Public informed. Unfortunately there are bad apples in every industry and every once in a while one of their heads pops up from the crowd. This will not be the last time this happens in Ann Arbor and I am sure it is not the first. I will keep an open mind at the same time. The court system will sort this out one way or another. While it may be alarming, I want to know when a board member of an organization funded by tax money is in a jam with the law. Mr. Nassif would be doing the right thing by stepping away from his DDA duties until the matter is resolved.
Brad
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 12:31 p.m.
The Ann Arbor community has nothing to do with the DDA - they are unelected and appointed by the mayor.
Great Lakes Lady
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 11:53 a.m.
It's called 'reporting'. All of the information available at the time was reported. If it were not included people would ask why there isn't more information. These reporters get criticized for not reporting enough.....and now for reporting too much. The annarbor.com reporters are doing a great job; keep up the good work!
Irwin Daniels
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 11:09 a.m.
Do you know why the "confusion" with the change in courts and the part about what day the accused was in court? Seen like a scandal, could this be favoritism with the ties to the court and the mayor?
Are you serious?
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 6:04 p.m.
Arraignment locations can be moved for a number of "bureaucratic reasons." For example, it could have been because the only judge or magistrate available on Friday was in Ann Arbor. Let's all just calm down and let the case play out.
Irwin Daniels
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 2:39 p.m.
Thank you for looking into this John - even if the answers are bureaucratic it is better to know than not to know. However this could be a real case that has some funny business/dealings; not the first time or last time this will happen.
David Cahill
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 1:44 p.m.
I'm glad you're following up on this issue, John.
John Counts
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 12:38 p.m.
Hi Irwin Daniels: I'm checking with the prosecutor's office about this today. I hope to have some sort of answer about why there was a change of venue. But be aware the answers are sometimes more bureaucratic than conspiratorial.
trespass
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 10:58 a.m.
I thought that District Court was for misdemeanors and that felonies went to Circuit Court. I must be wrong but please explain.
Sandy Castle
Mon, Aug 5, 2013 : 12:37 p.m.
Felony arraignments and Preliminary Exams (also sometimes called Probable Cause Hearings) occur at district court. If probable cause is found or the defendant waives their right to the hearing the case is remanded to circuit court.