If this guy put half the of effort into raising this kid properly as he has in pursuing his "damages", maybe his kid wouldn't be out smoking pot and hiding from the cops. "$50,000 in exemplary damages because the “actions of the Defendant were intentionally designed to inflict humiliation, embarrassment and mental anxiety.” Or how about the "$200,000 and attorney fees for two counts of unreasonable seizure, one count of false arrest and exemplary damages" What a joke. It is people like this that cost our judicial system unneccessary tax dollars. Then we are forced to settle with the guy. What a disgrace.

I think maybe this county infringes on citizen rights ALOT !! More people should stand up to the coruption in this county. I commend Mr. Shilling , Id like his lawyers name. I think this lawyer could get rich in this county. Anyone who implies that the police in this county "did nothing wrong" are themselves wrong. The police in Mason county do as they wish with NO REGAURD TO ITS CITIZENS , THIER RIGHTS OR THE AFFECT OF THE POLICE ACTIONS AGAINST ITS CITIZENS !! I think he should have held out for more $$. This is a police county(state). And to those who say "if you dont like it leave.." I say Im about to , taking my tax money with me. Good luck with your budget after running the tax paying citizens away !!

Does the county not see that this would be cheaper to go to court then to give out settlement money? Once word gets out everyone will try to file suits against the county knowing that they will pay instead of going to court. To the commissioners who voted to pay this extortion I hope you don't get reelected. We need commissioners who are going to stand up against this behavior. By paying them off it will get worse.

Thomas- Your conspiracy theories are amusing. It must be difficult to go through life so paranoid. Remember, just because you are paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you. Shilling was playing the system. The police have an obligation to find a suspect. That usually involves using family and friends for information. To sue the county for trying to lock up his criminal son is out of line. And to think that you are applauding him for wasting our tax dollars blows my mind. Yeah, maybe you should move before the "corrupt" police come after you. Keep an eye out for the black helecoptors swooping down for you in the middle of the night.

I have never known a county like Mason County MI when it comes to law enforcement. It saddens me to read stories like this one because the area is so beautiful. As a parent, you try to do your best when raising children. Whatever your child's actions may be, it does not give law enforcement the right to bully, harrass and detain you unnecessarily because of your child's actions. I am glad Mr. Schilling decided to pursue a false arrest civil action. If he did not have a prima facia case the Court would have dismissed the matter. Any settlement agreement contains language of "no admission of liability". That does not mean the police did not abuse Mr. Schilling's constitutional rights as an American.

I'm rather disappointed with the editorial on 11-12-09 in the LDN which overlooked the victim's civil rights (he committed no crime other than being the father of a suspect) while questioning whether the county commissioners erred in giving in too easily. The MCSO's Trenner says that the sheriff's dept. had done nothing wrong. The plaintiff's brief says otherwise, and we have nothing from the MCSO specifically disputing those charges. Their inability at this time to show why he wasn't illegally arrested or had his property illegally seized, shows an arrogance and contempt for a citizen's rights that we should not tolerate from those entrusted with the powers and responsibilities we, the people, grant them.

I know from personal experience that our LEO take ALOT of liberties with the search and seizure laws. One incident I can share is a person I know getting pulled over at 2 am(went to get coffee when baby was new) and officer sais "license plate light" was to dim". Asked LEO if he was aware he had aheadlight out? Cop said "yea, and you can go." He was fishing for drunk drivers. Another time friend was going to work at 3 am and suddenly lights glaring behind him and on came to cop lights. LEO walked up and asked if the person driving was drinking? He help up a coffee cup and stated he was on his way to work. Cop asked if he would take a breath test to prove it. when answer was Yea, if you right a note to my boss explaining why I'm Late. Cop let him go with a warning. The guy doesn't drink!!!!! If you are thinking that it's only here look up the ACLU case regarding Leelanau LEO.

His kid should have been punished a long time ago when he first started getting into trouble instead of his father always bailing him out and blaming someone else! Accountability for his poor decisions is what was needed here, not filing lawsuits against the city! What a disgrace!

I feel it nessasary to take the time to comment on this article. I have personally experienced Mr.Schillings dedication to his son and he is an involved parent. This issue has NOTHING to do with parenting it has to do with the fact that Mr.Schilling did not commit any unlawful act and he was arrested. When it is YOUR son, YOUR husband, YOUR wife, or YOUR daughter that has been arrested for doing nothing wrong. Maybe you will understand. "someone who cares"

"THOMAS" should move away from Ludington. Maybe he should move to Iraq and see what it is like without a government or working police force. Enjoy the sand and road bombs.

1. If Mr. Shillings was that dedicated to his son then why is the son in the system? 2. license plate light is in the motor vehicle code as a valid stop. No ticked issued..hmmm...sounds like harassment to me 3. LEO offered a breath test to your friend....YOUR FRIEND VOLUNTARILY ACCEPTED. Hmmm...your friend was not under ANY obligation to take the breat test but VOLUNTEERED. Sounds like harassment to me, unless there's more to the story that you're not bringing to light.