FLORIDA V. GEORGE ZIMMERMAN AND RACE POLITICS IN AMERICA
The George Zimmerman trial has ended with not guilty verdicts on second degree murder and the lesser-included charge of manslaughter. What does it mean? What broader message should we draw from this verdict? My take on it: the State of … Read More
POLICE AT WAR? WHO IS THE ENEMY?
Police at war? Who is the enemy? In keeping with my theme of the day– disproportionate law enforcement responses—below is a link to a story from the July, 2013, ABA journal, titled “Rise of the Warrior Cop.” While there has … Read More
MY RECENT ADVENTURE AT THE MAINE LEGISLATURE
Here’s a story about my recent adventure at the Maine Legislature. It was my second attempt to secure a legislative fix for problems that I have encountered practicing criminal defense law in York County. My first ill-fated attempt was several years ago. The sitting … Read More
GENDER POLITICS UPDATE ON MAINE’S CERTIFIED BATTERERS’ INTERVENTION PROGRAM
Update bulletin. The other day, I posted a story on the litigation surrounding Maine’s statutory/regulatory scheme for certified batterers’ intervention programs. The governing regulations allow certification only of programs for men convicted of certain violent crimes against intimate female partners. … Read More
GENDER POLITICS AND MAINE’S CERTIFIED BATTERERS’ INTERVENTION PROGRAMS
In a recent case before Maine’s State Supreme Court (The Law Court), State v. Mosher, 2012 ME 133, Christopher Mosher challenged the 2-year probation term imposed as part of his sentence for a conviction of domestic violence assault. Mosher claimed that the … Read More
U.S. #1 CAUSE OF ACCIDENTAL DEATH, PRESCRIPTION DRUG O.D.
The other day, I ran through some hypothetical twists to illustrate how the Maine criminal statutes treat unauthorized users, furnishers and sellers of even small amounts of the prescription drugs oxycodone and hydrocodone. These drugs are truly a public scourge. … Read More
ITALIAN MANSLAUGHTER CONVICTIONS FOR INADEQUATE EARTHQUAKE WARNING
Below is a link to a story about manslaughter convictions handed down in Italy today against 7 scientists and earthquake experts because they failed to predict and warn the public of an earthquake that resulted in numerous deaths. There is probably no idea, … Read More
