"Court Case Friday" The best new judges have extensive experience in the field of law in which they are presiding. They also have major experience in courtroom hearings and trials. New judges who lacked such expertise can be a disaster. As an experienced prosecutor, I was assigned to respond to the defense motion to suppress … Continue reading Bizarre Ruling – Judge Outraged by the Officer’s Gun
European Heaven English Police German Engineers French Chefs European Hell German Police French Engineers English Chefs (Disclaimer: For the “woke” folks - this is a joke. It is based on unverified stereotypes and overgeneralizations. Feel free to "fact check.") European Heaven and Hell English Police German Engineers Mercedes French Chef German Police French Engineers Citroën … Continue reading What’s the Difference Between “European Heaven” and “European Hell?”
"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”
(To: Great Oak High School. You are the best!) "Court Case Friday" Driving Under the Influence (DUI) cases are very tragic. Tens of thousands of people are killed or maimed every year by drunk drivers. In fact, drunk drivers kill someone "Every 15 Minutes." Yet sometimes DUI cases can be entertaining. Golf Cart on the … Continue reading Entertaining DUI Cases
In 2019, a Utah woman called 911 to report a drunk driver. The caller sounded intoxicated. She had slurred speech, and she was burping, and laughing uncontrollably on the phone. The dispatcher asked the woman for a description of the drunk driver. The caller gave a description of - herself. She also gave a description of … Continue reading Drunk Driver Calls 911 to Report — Herself
There is a current debate about the "over-militarization" of the police and the use of military equipment. This is nothing new. I am old enough to remember the following 2 police fiascos. The LAPD Armored Personnel Carrier Battering Ram In 1985, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) proudly displayed their new 6-ton armored personnel carrier … Continue reading 2 High Publicity Police Fiascos: When the Police Use Military Equipment
Background and Observations on Domestic Violence (DV) Cases The Paradigm Shift From Laxness to No Tolerance One of my judicial specialties is domestic violence cases. Every day, I deal with 5-10 DV cases. In the last 40 years there has been huge paradigm shift in how DV cases are prosecuted. When I was a Deputy … Continue reading Domestic Violence, and the Case of the Wife Who Super-Glued Her Husband’s “Member” to His Abdomen
The U.S. Police Warrior/Military Mindset The police warrior-military mindset started as a narrow concept during deadly confrontations. However, it has expanded to become the prevailing culture. Supporters of the warrior-military mindset believe it is critical to officer and public safety. However, many police professionals and criminologists believe that the warrior-military mindset actually makes officers … Continue reading Police Reform (9/10): Rethink the Warrior-Military Mindset
Introduction When I started in the criminal justice system, the police had only two options to subdue suspects: batons and guns. Of the millions of face-to-face contacts people have with the police every year, about 1.4% involve the use or force or threats of force by the police. (1 out of 100). About 25% (0.56%) … Continue reading Police Reform (8/10): “More Less-lethal Force”
"Support Your Local Sheriff" - The Movie “Support Your Local Sheriff” was an entertaining 1969 Western parody. In the movie, James Garner played a gambler who was persuaded to take the job of sheriff in a crime-ridden mining town. Garner didn’t believe in violence, so he simply outwitted the dumb criminals. For example, there weren’t … Continue reading Police Reform (10/10): Supporting Law Enforcement vs. the “War on Cops”
The London Edition 