"Defund the police" There is a tidal wave of negative publicity regarding police brutality and excessive force. Because of police misconduct, and criminal conduct, there is a growing movement to "defund the police. " Black Lives Matter has called for the "national defunding of police." "Defund" means to "withdraw funding from." Some activists want to completely … Continue reading Police Reform (2/10): “More Women Officers”
(Before the trolls, bubble-poppers, and nitpickers criticize my use of the politically incorrect “drunk” in the title, they should read the entire story, where it will be explained.) We get a lot of homeless alcoholics in our courthouse in rich Newport Beach, California. Many of these folks sleep, and hang out, on the bluffs overlooking … Continue reading “My Favorite Homeless Drunk”
Robert Smalls was a slave sailor for the Confederacy who became a hero during the Civil War. In April 1861, the Civil War began with the Battle of Fort Sumpter in Charleston Harbor. The Union Navy blockaded the harbor with a fleet of ships 10 miles off shore. Smalls was a pilot on the CSS … Continue reading A Slave Steals a Confederate Warship and Sails to Freedom
Winston Churchill observed that democracy is the “worst form of government – except all others.” That is how I view our law enforcement and criminal justice systems. This ten-part series of recommendations for improving law enforcement is based on my 10 years as a prosecutor and over 30 years as a criminal law judge. Saved … Continue reading Police Reform (1/10): “Support Law Enforcement Privately and Publicly”
I consider my patriarchal blessing to be my personal scripture. It is Doctrine and Covenants Section 139. Several sections of the D&C come from church members asking the Prophet Joseph Smith this vital question. “What is the mind and will of the Lord for me and my life.” That is what a patriarch blessing is … Continue reading Patriarchal Blessings
The legal issues of Native Americans using endangered species in their religious ceremonies are intriguing. Here, there is a direct conflict between the First Amendment guarantee of freedom of religion, and the government’s need to protect endangered species. Animals are essential in Native American rituals The use of animals in religious ceremonies is an … Continue reading Using Endangered Species in Religious Ceremonies
Sometimes attorneys find judges to be annoying, and sometimes judges find attorneys to be annoying. I thought I was a very patient person – until I became a judge. There are a select few annoying and aggressive attorneys who can push my buttons. Aggravating a judge is not in their client’s best interest. There is an … Continue reading Judge Fights Public Defender — Literally
Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt (1858-1919) War Hero Medal of Honor Youngest President at age 42Hero of the Spanish American War, where he led the Calvary “Rough Riders”First President to receive the Medal of HonorAn avid naturalist and zealous conservationistResponsible for our National Parks and National ForestsAn outdoorsman, big game hunter, fisherman, explorer, adventurerBarely survived an exploratory … Continue reading Theodore Roosevelt – “It is not the critic who counts, but the man in the arena”
When I became a judge, I set the goal of never holding anyone in contempt. For thirty years, I have accomplished that goal. Finding someone is contempt should be the judge’s last resort. It is like a police officer shooting someone. That should be the last option. Contempt should only be used when there are … Continue reading “To Contempt?”or “Not to Contempt?” That is the Question
For us old codgers, the high-tech advances over the years have been both amazing and bewildering. I couldn’t wait to install Caller ID on our house phone. I was getting tired of the annoying phone solicitations and robo-calls. After Caller ID was installed I waited in eager anticipation for the first phone call. The phone … Continue reading The Day I Got Phone Calls from Jesus Christ and Brigham Young
The London Edition 