News & Resources

If you were just arrested in Traverse City, your mind is probably racing: What do I do now? When is court? Who do I talk to? At True North Legal Group, we help good people when bad things happen in Grand Traverse and Leelanau Counties. Most of our clients are first-time defendants facing the criminal justice system for the first time. Our job is to steady the moment, explain what each step means, and help you make clear, informed choices—not rush you into decisions.

Welcome back to “The Quarterly Compass,” the email newsletter of True North Legal Group.  This resource is designed for entrepreneurs, small business owners, executives, and business-minded professionals in Northern Michigan.

Every quarter, we’ll head in four directions.  First, the “East” section (directly below) will be dedicated to legal updates from TNLG that may be relevant to your venture.  Then head “South,” where we’ll highlight a local business or entrepreneur doing great things in Northern Michigan. Out “West,” you’ll find information about future events or developments that may soon impact you, your business, or your employees.  Finally, True “North” will include a short, actionable insight for personal or business growth.

At True North Legal Group, we help good people when bad things happen in Grand Traverse and Leelanau Counties. Most of our clients are first-time defendants facing the criminal justice system for the first time. If your case has been “bound over” from the 86th District Court to the 13th Circuit Court in Traverse City, this guide explains what that means, how felony cases generally move in Grand Traverse County, and what first-time defendants should expect from the process, the people involved, and the day-to-day workings of this courthouse.

At True North Legal Group, we help good people when bad things happen in Grand Traverse and Leelanau Counties. Most of our clients are first-time defendants facing the criminal justice system for the first time. If that’s you, bond is likely the first court decision shaping your daily life—where you can go, who you can see, whether you must test, and how closely you have to check in. This guide explains how bond and bond conditions usually work in the 86th District Court and 13th Circuit Court for Grand Traverse County cases, what first-time defendants commonly experience, and how we approach these issues so you can stay compliant and keep your case on track.

An arrest in Traverse City can upend everything in a single afternoon or night. If you’ve never been in trouble before, the mix of booking, jail, and an unfamiliar courtroom can feel disorienting. At True North Legal Group, we help good people when bad things happen in Grand Traverse and Leelanau Counties. Most of our clients are first-time defendants facing the criminal justice system for the first time. This guide explains the local process from the moment of arrest through the arraignment and bond hearing in the 86th District Court, so you know what’s coming, what decisions you’ll be asked to make, and how to protect your options.

When you’re arrested or charged in Grand Traverse County, the 86th District Court in Traverse City is where your case begins—and for misdemeanors, where it ends. If this is your first experience with the criminal justice system, the unfamiliar terms and fast pace can feel overwhelming. At True North Legal Group, we help good people when bad things happen in Grand Traverse and Leelanau Counties. Most of our clients are first-time defendants facing the criminal justice system for the first time. Our goal in this guide is to make the process predictable, stage by stage, so you understand what will happen, who you’ll see in court, and the decisions that typically come up in this court. 

Discover how Northern Michigan nonprofits can build trust and lasting community connections through well-planned, compliant, and inclusive public events.

Community events—like Traverse City’s summer festivals, Lake Leelanau vineyard fundraisers, or barn weddings in Leelanau County—are central to Northern Michigan’s cultural and nonprofit calendar. But behind every successful event lies a foundation of proper licensing, zoning approval, and risk planning. Missteps in permitting or land use can result in delays, fines, or even event cancellation.

Welcome back to “The Quarterly Compass,” the email newsletter of True North Legal Group.  This resource is designed for entrepreneurs, small business owners, executives, and business-minded professionals in Northern Michigan.

This guide helps Northern Michigan nonprofits understand the legal landscape surrounding donor privacy—what rules apply, what donors expect, and what steps organizations must take to manage data securely and transparently.