“Court Case Friday” I presided over an interesting case of domestic violence. A military officer was desperate to have a “spiritual experience.” Instead of consulting a religious leader, he searched the internet. “A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.” He discovered that some people professed to have had spiritual experiences by taking hallucinogenic drugs like … Continue reading Case of the Drug-Induced “Spiritual” Experience
"Court Case Friday" and "Commentary" Asset Forfeiture Laws The illegal drug trade is massive. The value of the drug trade in the U.S. is over $300 billion each year. The international drug trade brings in about $36 trillion per year. Drug cartel leaders are billionaires. Asset forfeiture laws allow law enforcement to confiscate the homes, … Continue reading Law Enforcement Asset Forfeiture – The Corrupting Downside
"Court Case Friday" The best new judges have extensive experience in the field of law in which they are presiding. They also have major courtroom experience. A new judge who lacks such expertise is a "fish out of water," and can be a disaster. 25 lbs of Marijuana When I was a prosecutor, a new … Continue reading Bizarre Ruling – Judge Orders the Police to Return Illegal Drugs to the Criminals
"Court Case Friday" Some Cops Turn to Crime Throughout my legal career I encountered several crooked police officers. I seem to be a magnet for those cases. Outstanding Huntington Beach Police Police officers, especially detectives, are the finest group of people I have ever worked with. However, EVERY profession has “bad apples.” Police officers are … Continue reading My First “Crooked Cop” Case Was a “Real Doozy”
I have witnessed a recent spike in the number of fentanyl cases. This is a deadly trend. Opioid Addiction Crisis America is in the middle of an opioid addiction crisis. Each year, over 90,000 people die from drug overdoses. That is 9 times the number killed by drunk drivers. And fentanyl is the driving force. … Continue reading Important Warning! Fentanyl Is a Killer!
The word “addiction” comes from the Latin “addictus” meaning “slave.” In ancient Rome, an “addictus” was a “debt slave.” He or she was a person who was enslaved by a creditor because of a debt. Once the debt was paid, the slave was freed. (This is the same philosophy underlying “debtor’s prison.”) The Roman Myth … Continue reading Myth of Addictus: Slavery of Sin and Addiction
As a criminal prosecutor I worked on a murder case where the victim was a homeless man. The witnesses were a group of ten homeless men who lived under an overpass on the Santa Ana River in Orange County. Their lifestyle was unique and interesting. The men banded together. They each received a monthly check … Continue reading A Unique Homeless Lifestyle – Partying with Social Security Disability Checks
I have presided over countless tragic drug cases. This is one of the saddest. The woman next door decided to visit the defendant. As the neighbor approached the front door she glanced inside the living room window. She saw a horrifying sight. The defendant was holding her three-year old son by the back of his hair with … Continue reading “He Needs Air!” Case of the Drug Crazed Mom Stabbing Her Toddler
Police canine units can be a great source of entertainment. “Racist” Police Dog Attacks Hispanic Officer in Uniform One of my Santa Ana, California police officer witnesses showed up at my DA’s Office with bandages and multiple puncture wounds on his forearm. I asked him what happened. He explained that there was a break-in at … Continue reading 5 Very Short and Entertaining Police Dog Stories
In four decades in the criminal justice system, I came across some amazingly creative and effective undercover officers. The Undercover Police Chief One part-time under cover officer was actually a local police chief. Stanton, Orange County, California, was a small semi-impoverished city between Knott’s Berry Farm and the beach. The police department was underfunded and understaffed. Maintaining … Continue reading Ingenious Undercover Cops
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