Law Office of Joseph L. Yang, PLLC

11/21/2018

Chong Moua Yang Family Statement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

On the night of November 16, 2018, the lives of the Yang family were turned upside down when they were notified that their father, Chong Moua Yang, was found shot and killed in the woods while hunting. It has been 5 days since the incident, and it seems that there are more questions than answers. That is why we are turning to the community and asking for the help of everyone. We are asking that if you know anything about what happened that night, please contact the Bath Township Police Department immediately. We know that many people hunt in that area of the woods, and this could simply be a hunting accident. Therefore, please help the Yang family understand what happened that night so that they can have some closure.

A few details about Mr. Yang we would like to confirm are that:
- He was an experienced hunter who hunted his whole life while in Laos and in the United States. This hunting spot was one that he frequented every year.
- There has been some speculation that he was on private land, but that is not the case. He was hunting on PUBLIC property in the Rose Lake area.
- He was wearing hunter safety orange, and was in compliance with the color requirement.
- Some of his personal belongings are missing, but we are hopeful to recover them soon. The police are searching the area in case he set those items down somewhere.

Mr. Yang leaves behind his wife, four daughters, five sons, three daughter in laws, two son in laws, and fourteen grandchildren. He was a soft spoken, mild mannered family man that provided for the family he brought to the United States in 1988. Coming to the United States as refugees of the Secret War in Laos that occurred during the Vietnam War. He was planning to retire soon, but wanted to work a few more years while his son was still in college.

An autopsy was completed, but we have not received the results. His body was been cleared for release to the family, and the family is currently prepping arrangements for a traditional Hmong Funeral.

In addition to asking for help, the family has setup a GoFundMe page to collect funds for a reward, and are willing to provide a cash reward for tips leading to the person or persons involved.

The family would like to thank the Bath Township Police Department and all the other law enforcement agencies for all their hard work in this matter. They would also like to extend a thank you for all the love and encouragement they have received from all the family, friends, neighbors, hunters, and even on social media from people they have never met.

Again, I ask for help from this community to find closure for the Yang family.

https://www.gofundme.com/justice-for-chong-m-yang?member=1154390&fbclid=IwAR3X4HpfsnbIvHv3q_nXy0OeCK_2lxnArd2MqFQghgO1jt5I_8-bjZnsd8k

Joseph Yang
PO BOX 13271
Lansing, MI 48901
[email protected]
(517) 618-1727

There comes a time when a child/children must lay their parent(s) to rest. Sadly, that time has unexpectedly fallen on my siblings and I. On November 16th, my father had gone out hunting like he always do every hunting season, but this time he did not return home. My mother was at home waiting fo...

07/31/2018

A great example of why you need a Criminal Defense Attorney representing you as soon as you have police contact to fight for your rights, when you can't do the fighting yourself.

10/19/2017

Estate Planning is not just for old people.

Imagine your 18 year old is off to their freshman year in college. All of a sudden a medical incident happens, and your child is unable to make their own medical decisions. As a parent, you might not be able to make that decision either without a Medical Power of Attorney in place.

Contact me about your Estate Planning needs.

*This post is for educational purposes only, and does not constitute legal advice. Contact me directly to ask about your specific matter.

10/17/2017

Oct 16 - 20 is National Estate Planning Week.

Estate planning generally comes in two forms. The first is for when you are still alive, but cannot make your own decisions (Medical and Financial Power of Attorney), and the second is when you pass away, and your property needs to be taken care of (Will).

Common misconceptions are:

"I'm too young to do estate planning."
"All my property is titled in joint tenancy with my spouse so I don't need a will."
"Estate planning is only for the super-rich."
"Estate planning is too complicated and expensive."
"Doesn't the government provide for that?"
"We did our wills right after we got married 30 years ago and see no need for further planning."

Please contact me to discuss your situation and estate planning needs.

08/04/2017

There are a lot of phone scams going on out there. A new one is an IRS scam. See Link.

A few tips to protect yourself.

1) Never give out your personal information over the phone if you are not sure who you are talking to.
2) Ask them to send you a certified letter.
3) Ask for their contact information, look them up to verify they are who they say they are, and then call them back.
4) Never give out pre-paid credit card information to someone over the phone to pay a bill.
5) If you find yourself a victim, contact your banking institution immediately to report fraud.

IRS YouTube Videos: Tax Scams: English | Spanish | ASL Private Collection of Overdue Taxes: English | Spanish IR-2017-107, June 15, 2017 Español

04/13/2017

Q&A Time - Terms of probation

Q: I'm on probation, but the judge said I can't have any weapons. Don't I have the right the bear arms?

A: When you are on probation, you are agreeing to give up certain rights as a condition of probation. Look at probation as a privilege given to you by the court. No one has the "right" to probation. Probation was created as a tool to keep deserving people out of jail and stay productive in society.

Another example besides fi****ms might help illustrate it. You are constitutionally protected from Illegal search and seizure. Police cannot normally just walk in the door of your front home without a valid search warrant. But, because you are on probation, you are voluntarily giving up that right during your term of probation. Your PO can come into your home at anytime, because you are under the supervision of the court. No warrant is needed for police to come into your home.

If for some reason you cannot comply or do not agree to the terms of the probation, then you can 1, request an exception, or 2, ask to be sentenced to straight jail with no probation.

*This post is for educational purposes only, and does not constitute legal advice. Contact me directly to ask about your specific matter.

12/20/2016

Consider adding estate planning to your 2017 New Year's resolution list.
Estate planning comes in two forms. 1) While you are alive and can't make your own decision, who will make them for you? 2) When you pass, will your assets be divided how you wish them to be?
Contact me today for a free consultation on your situation, and what would make sense for you.

09/23/2016

Send me a private message with a question, and I'll pick one to answer.

*All posts are for educational purposes only. Each situation differs, and different laws may apply.

09/15/2016

Apology Letters

I always encourage my clients to write apology letters to victims, the court, and anyone else that may be involved in an incident.

With that being said, the timing of the letter is very important. If you write an apology letter to victims before your case begins, you are providing the police and prosecutor's a potential confession to the crime they are investigating. The letter can later be used against you in a court of law as an admission of guilt.

So, if you are ever asked to write an apology letter, it should come after the case has been adjudicated, and with the advice of an attorney.

**Disclaimer: Each case has its own merits, facts, and circumstances. The information provided above is for educational purposes only. Please consult an attorney, like Joseph Yang, to have a better understanding of your case.

03/05/2015

Domestic Violence Charge

If you are facing a Domestic Violence (DV) Charge, make sure you seek the help of an attorney, like Joseph Yang. There are many factors at play when facing a DV charge. An attorney will be able to help you navigate the legal waters, and work to reduce or even get your case dismissed. Below are possible penalties for being found guilty, or pleading guilty to a DV.

-First DV Charge - Misdemeanor Crime. Up to 93 days in jail and/or a $500 fine.

-Second DV Charge - Misdemeanor Crime. Up to 1 year in jail and/or a $1,000 fine.

-Third DV Charge - Felony Crime. Up to 5 years in prison and/or a $5,000 fine.

*Source: MCL 750.81
**Disclaimer: Each case has its own merits, facts, and circumstances. The information provided above is for educational purposes only. Please consult an attorney, like Joseph Yang, to have a better understanding of your case.

11/24/2014

A Financial and Medical Power of Attorney is essential for anyone 18 years or older.

If you were to be injured today, and could not make any financial or medical decisions on your own, who would make those decisions for you? Without this document in place, a lot of these medical and financial decisions cannot be made, even if someone is your parent or spouse.

Contact me today for more information on these two important Estate Planning documents.

08/07/2014

Estate Planning ensures that your family and financial goals are met after you die.

Estate Planning consists of a will; assignment of power of attorney; and a living will or health-care proxy (medical power of attorney). For some people, a trust may also make sense.

Dying without a will -- also known as dying "intestate" -- can be costly to your heirs and leaves you NO SAY over who gets your assets.

Contact me today for more information.

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Estate planning yog ib yab pab koj thiab koj tsev neeg saib xyuas koj cov nyiaj txiag tom qab koj tuag.

Tsis sau tseg ces koj cov qub txeeg qub teg muaj tsis tau li koj siab xav. Sau tseg thiab muaj txoj cai faib li koj sav tau.

Tiv tauj kuv, es kuv yuav pab koj txhua txhua lub sij hawm.