Most of us know the U.S. has a Constitution. It gets a lot of attention — as it should — and it gives us some pretty important rights. But did you know that Michigan has its own constitution too? And that it’s not just a copy-paste of the U.S. version?
Michigan’s Constitution — last updated in 1963 when rotary phones were still a thing — has a whole section that gives us even more rights than the federal one. That’s right. More.
If you didn’t know that, don’t worry. You’re in very good company.
Starting soon (as in, when I remember to hit “publish”), I’ll be posting quick breakdowns of each of the 28 rights in Article 1, titled “Declaration of Rights.” No law degree required. Just real talk about the actual rights you have under Michigan law.
To kick things off, here’s how the Michigan Constitution starts — straight from the preamble:
“We, the people of the State of Michigan, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of freedom, and earnestly desiring to secure these blessings undiminished to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this constitution.”
MI CONST Ch. 1, Preamble.
Pretty powerful, right?
So stay tuned. Michigan law isn’t always exciting — but your rights? Those are worth knowing. And I’ll make sure you actually understand them (without needing to Google every other word).