Lehto's Law
Steve Lehto, an attorney with over 30 years of experience in Michigan Lemon Law and author of more than a dozen books, hosts this podcast. He discusses legal topics, often focusing on consumer protection and his own cases. The show also covers his writing and other legal issues.
Episodes
New Law Forces Disclosure of Mandatory Tips and Service Fees
At restaurants in Florida, beginning this month (July 2026).
https://www.lehtoslaw.com
SCOTUS Agrees to Hear from Rancher Over Eminent Domain Taking
He won but the appeals court said he wouldn't get compensated for his legal fees.
Visit the IJ: https://ij.org/
Supreme Court Narrows Police Use of Geofence Warrants
The court ruled that law enforcement can't claim people agreed to the searches by agreeing to the Terms of Service.
https://www.lehtoslaw.com
Carmakers Say They’ll Leave CA Over New Car Privacy Law
The new CA law requires automakers to provide an easy way for consumers to get the tracking on their car shut off under certain circumstances; the carmakers say they need at least a year more to do so.
https://www.lehtoslaw.com
Ticketed for ‘Rolling Coal’ at a Car Show
Can you be ticketed for 'Rolling Coal' and if so, what would the ticket look like?
https://www.lehtoslaw.com
Owner of Towing Company Accused Of DOZENS of Fraudulent Tows
This happened in Arkansas.
Some of my towing stories from VinWiki: https://youtu.be/NDvMbk9AtgA
Federal Court Says Therapist Can Help People Over the Phone
Another win by the good people at the Institute for Justice.
https://ij.org/
‘Noise Cameras’ Issues Millions of Dollars Worth of Tickets in NYC
Everyone agrees there is too much noise; is this the best way to combat the problem?
https://www.lehtoslaw.com
SCOTUS Upholds Tax Auction for Way Less Than the Home Was Worth
Here is the Supreme Court opinion: https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/25pdf/25-95_dc8e.pdf
Man Gets Three Years in Prison for Helping College Students Cheat
This happened in England, but it happens pretty much everywhere (the cheating, that is).
https://www.lehtoslaw.com
Dealer Accused of Forging Titles to Salvage Cars without Telling Buyers
Authorities say the cars should have had salvage titles but somehow were sold without them.
https://www.lehtoslaw.com
Not Just License Plates: They’re Going to Track So Much More
A company has been issued a patent to track many of the devices inside your car as it drives by an ALPR - and this new tracker could be deployed "off-road" according to the patent.
https://www.lehtoslaw.com
Man Charged $2K After Someone Stole The Transponder from His Rental Car
The transponder appears to have been stolen by the previous renter of the car.
https://www.lehtoslaw.com
$24 Million Verdict Against Detective Over Bad Arrest
The plaintiff cannot work in his field again because the arrest affected his FINRA license.
https://www.lehtoslaw.com
New Law Will Provide Attorneys for Civil Asset Forfeiture Victims
Colorado is the second state to pass such a law, providing Civil Asset Forfeiture victims with attorneys if they cannot afford them.
https://www.lehtoslaw.com
Judge Throws All 4 Attorneys Off Case for Misusing AI
This happened in Mississippi where two attorneys on each side of the case were removed by the court for AI misuse.
https://www.lehtoslaw.com
Innocent Man Beaten by Police WON’T Get His Day in Court
A sad ending to a drawn out case.
Support the IJ. https://ij.org
California’s Proposed Tire Law Draws Criticism
It's unclear if the proposed regulation will accomplish its goals as clearly as the state hopes.
https://www.lehtoslaw.com
State Sup Ct Gets Filings w/Made-up Cites and Quotes
This happened in Oregon, and one party resubmitted with AI problems in the second filing.
https://www.lehtoslaw.com
Someone Stole a Beacon From a Lighthouse
The Coast Guard is asking for help in recovering a beacon that was apparently stolen from a lighthouse in WI in May.
https://www.lehtoslaw.com
‘Technical Issues’ Cause Headache for State Lottery
A new Indiana scratch off lottery ticket appears to be a winner - until it is checked officially, causing many people to complain.
https://www.lehtoslaw.com
Lawsuit Claims $1.5M Damages from Mashed Potatoes Slip and Fall
A woman slipped and fell on mashed potatoes and has filed a lawsuit seeking $1.5 million in damages.
https://www.lehtoslaw.com
Supreme Court Rules Against Phone Co’s on Jury Trials
Supreme Court Rules Against Phone Co’s on Jury Trials by Lehto's Law
What You Need to Know Before YOU Testify
These are some simple guidelines to know before you testify at a deposition in the US. One thing I forgot to mention is that 'I don't know' is an appropriate response if true.
https://www.lehtoslaw.com
Dealer Accused Of Selling Cars Without Paying Lender (Fargo?!)
The parties appear to have reached a settlement - at least they are working toward one.
https://www.lehtoslaw.com
She Can’t Collect Jackpot After Excluding Herself From Casino
The woman had asked to be excluded from the casino - which means she probably cannot collect the winnings (and can be cited for trespassing).
https://www.lehtoslaw.com
Village Backs Down After Threatening to Destroy Garden
Illinois has a state law protecting gardens.
The Institute's website: https://ij.org/
City Damages House Next Door During Demolition
And this is not the first time.
https://www.lehtoslaw.com
Jay Leno’s Law Gains Support
The proposed law failed to pass previously but is now gaining more support.
https://www.lehtoslaw.com
Suspended Driver Keeps Getting Tickets and Then Let Go
This happened in the Milwaukee area.
https://www.lehtoslaw.com
NASCAR Race Truck Sold as Street-Legal Gets Seller Arrested
According to law enforcement, the problem is that the truck - they say - has a VIN tag that does not belong to that truck.
https://www.lehtoslaw.com
Woman With No Right Hand Ticketed for Phone in Non-Existent Hand
the ticket in FL was later dismissed for a 'lack of evidence'.
https://www.lehtoslaw.com
Man Convicted Of Violating Non-Existent Court Order
But the state supreme court ruled in his favor.
https://www.lehtoslaw.com
License Suspended 72 Times, Man Hits Police Car
This is a case I would not want to handle.
https://www.lehtoslaw.com
Small Town Postmaster Pleads Guilty to Stealing Over $50,000
This happened in Scott City, KS.
https://www.lehtoslaw.com
Feds Charge 11 People for Selling Over 100,000 Fake Temp Tags
Authorities say the temp tags cost the state and local governments millions of dollars in lost revenue.
https://www.lehtoslaw.com
Police Chief Arrested When Evidence is Sold to Pawn Shop
The police chief was charged after evidence was sold to a pawnshop. They allege that he did it and then tried to cover it up.
https://www.lehtoslaw.com
Former Sheriff’s Deputy Sentenced for Misconduct In Office
This is an update to a video I did about the trial and verdict.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBYFSOENDPc
Coming Soon: Your Tires Uploading Your Driving Data to The Cloud
Pirelli has announced the cyber tires which will upload driving and road data to your car as well as other cars and the cloud.
https://www.lehtoslaw.com
States Ask Court To Force the Breakup of Live Nation and Ticketmaster
This comes after a jury finding that the company operates as an unlawful monopoly.
https://www.lehtoslaw.com
Appeals Court Agrees on Compensation for Destructive SWAT Raid
The case has been tried and appealed a few times and the 5th Circuit finally said the Plaintiff is entitled to compensation under the Texas state constitution.
https://ij.org/
Bird Nesting on Truck Tire at Dealer is Saved by Federal Law
The dealer and the buyer of the truck are both fine with letting the Robins live their lives.
https://www.lehtoslaw.com
SCOTUS Urged To Revive ‘Oath or Affirmation’ Req’t For 4th A Searches
Courts have allowed search warrants to be supported by hearsay, even though the 4th Amendment clearly calls for an 'Oath or Affirmation' in support - something which would preclude hearsay as a basis.
https://ij.org/
Disney Sued Over Biometric Data Gathered at Park Entrances
The lawsuit involves parks in California; Disney says that the entrances are marked in such a way to allow visitors to avoid having their data collected.
https://www.lehtoslaw.com
Dealer Demands More Money After The Sale - Then Takes His Truck When He Refused
A dealer demanded more money from a buyer after the sale - and then retook the vehicle when he refused. Here is the video I mentioned where a dealer in Michigan got hit with a big judgment in a similar case.
https://youtu.be/jD5bm4jG0Gk
Man Pleads Guilty To Crime Using an Innocent Man’s Identity
A man told the police he was someone else and managed to get all the way through the guilty plea without anyone realizing he was using someone else's name. The innocent man lost his job as a result and has filed suit against the police.
https://www.lehtoslaw.com
You Can’t Use The Word ‘Barber’ w/o State Board Permission?
The institute for Justice is representing the owners of a bar named "The Barbershop Blackstone" because the Barber Examiners in NB have said they cannot use the word "barber" in connection with a business that is not a licensed barber shop.
https://ij.org/
State Fights to Keep Surplus from Tax Foreclosures
A class action has been filed in Ohio over the surpluses from tax foreclosure auctions.
https://www.lehtoslaw.com
Museum Car Gets Ticket Without Being Driven
The car is not even registered but a ticket was sent to the museum by NYC after a speed camera spotted a similar car driving too fast.
https://www.lehtoslaw.com
Speed Camera 1 MPH Margin of Error Gets Ticket Tossed
Here is the opinion I refer to: https://www.dccourts.gov/sites/default/files/2026-05/Ricciardi%20v.%20DC%20%2024-CV-0718.pdf
GA Supreme Court Upset w/AI Citations in Big Case
The state Supreme Court sent the case back down because the lower court's order contained AI-generated problems - and so did the assistant DA's brief.
https://www.lehtoslaw.com
Fined $915K For Cutting Down 38 Big Trees
Fined $915K For Cutting Down 38 Big Trees by Lehto's Law
GM Will Pay $12M in Privacy Case in California
CA alleged that GM was selling data gathered from a portion of OnStar to third party data brokers - they agreed to pay a penalty and have stopped the practice.
https://www.lehtoslaw.com
I Got Pulled Over (Again?!)
The video I reference about how to reduce the odds of being ticketed:
https://youtu.be/fIyXUHz6ggY
Trooper Had Laptop ‘Missing’ From Bad DUI Arrest
The trooper was suspended for a day and the driver who was arrested was found Not Guilty. He got his laptop back after tracking it to the house of the trooper.
https://www.lehtoslaw.com
New State Law Reins in HOAs In Huge Win for Homeowners
The new MN law (which is expected to be enacted shortly) reins in HOAs in a variety of good ways.
https://www.lehtoslaw.com
State Asks Family to Pay $12 Debt of Dead Loved One
The state toll system wanted the family to pay $12 on behalf of their deceased relative - but there was no estate and the family had no legal obligation to take care of it.
https://www.lehtoslaw.com
Man Can’t Get New License Because of a 47-Y.O. Ticket
The state of NY told the man that their records indicate he had an unpaid ticket in another state - as reported by an even different state. And they cannot resolve it - he has to take care of it with the other state(s).
https://www.lehtoslaw.com
I Was Wrong: Proposed CO Law Wouldn’t Change Much
The law - as currently written - doesn't do all that much. Of course, it could be modified even more and it might not pass at all.
https://www.lehtoslaw.com
Supervising Atty Held Liable for AI Filing by Subordinate
A judge has sanctioned an attorney for a filing by his subordinate because it contained AI hallucinations - his responsibility arose because he was the attorney of record on the file.
https://www.lehtoslaw.com
Police Misuse Flock Cameras to Stalk ‘Romantic Interests’
The Institute for Justice found 14 occasions where police misused Flock to - apparently - stalk someone. A great example of something else that can go wrong with Flock cameras.
https://ij.org/
Good Riddance! Spirit Airlines Goes Out of Business!
I always considered their pricing model to be deceptive so I won't miss Spirit now that they appear to have gone out of business.
https://www.lehtoslaw.com
States Passing Laws to Keep Cellphones Out of Classrooms
This time, it is CT looking at such a ban. Michigan already has one.
https://www.lehtoslaw.com
New Law Lets Driverless Cars Get Traffic Tickets
CA made it clear that SOMEONE is responsible for a driverless car - whether or not there is someone inside the car operating it.
https://www.lehtoslaw.com
Woman Accused of Launching BEES at Sheriff’s Deputies
The deputies were attempting to evict someone from the premises near where the bees were released.
https://www.lehtoslaw.com
New Bride Arrested for DUI After 0.00 on the Breath Test
The woman was arrested the day after her wedding for DUI, even though her breath tested at 0.00 - and the blood tests were negative as well.
https://www.lehtoslaw.com
City Dubs Marilyn Monroe’s House ‘Historic’ - Now Its Owners are Stuck
It's not visible from the street and she only owned it for six months.
https://www.lehtoslaw.com
Flock Cameras Keep Alerting To An Innocent Man’s Plate
A county court put a man's license plate into the system saying he has a warrant, but listed another man's plate as well. The wrong man keeps getting pulled over and no one is able to get the innocent man's plate out of the system.
https://www.lehtoslaw.com
Judge Says Traffic Court Handled Speed Camera Tickets Wrong
This man got his tickets thrown out - but most people simply paid them.
https://www.lehtoslaw.com
Troopers Fired After Filing Insurance Claims for PIT Maneuvers
The Georgia troopers were accused of filing the insurance claims without the knowledge of their superiors - although one supervisor was also accused of being involved in some manner.
https://www.lehtoslaw.com
Property Tax Payments Are Being Stolen From the Mail In California
Property owners in Napa County have reported having their tax payments stolen from the mail, 'washed' and cashed elsewhere. Resulting in delinquencies for more than 150 people. Authorities are investigating.
https://www.lehtoslaw.com
Dealer Forced to Take Back Used Car After Two Year Fight
A woman in FL won an arbitration against a dealer over a used car sale - but it took a court to put an end to the argument.
https://www.lehtoslaw.com
Your AI Activity Can Be Used Against You In Court
A court has ruled that a defendant's use of AI (his inputs and its responses) could be used against him in court as they were not protected by work product or attorney client privilege.
https://www.lehtoslaw.com
First State to Outlaw ‘Dynamic’ Pricing
MD is about to become the first state to outlaw 'dynamic' pricing - where retailers can charge different customers different prices for the same items.
https://www.lehtoslaw.com
Federal Lawsuit Alleges Cops Let Impaired Driver Go Before Fatal Crash
I've seen police make the argument at the side of the road that this could happen - and it very well may have on this occasion.
https://www.lehtoslaw.com
Android Users Could Get $100 From Google Settlement
Two class actions appear to be settling with respect to Google and Android users; the settlements could net each user up to $100 each.
https://www.lehtoslaw.com
Jury Rules That Live Nation Acted as a Monopoly
The court has not yet ruled on what will happen as a result - and Live Nation has indicated they will appeal if necessary.
https://www.lehtoslaw.com
Class Action Takes On City’s 450+ License Plate Reading Cameras
The Institute for Justice has filed the class action on behalf of three San Jose residents over the cameras.
Visit the IJ here: https://ij.org/
Passengers Hit w/ Extra Fuel Charge AFTER Buying Airline Tickets
An airline in Spain is asking passengers who already bought tickets to pay more before boarding, to make up for rising fuel costs.
https://www.lehtoslaw.com
UPDATE: MN Classic Car Registration Law WILL NOT Pass
This is an update to a recent video: The proposed changes to the historic and classic vehicle plates in Minnesota will not become law.
My previous video: https://youtu.be/aNMMR7ZY988
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