Civil Commitment: A Solution in Name Only
When someone has been the victim of a vicious attack, he is usually willing and eager to participate in prosecution. But I found it impossible to connect with Roger.
Was Gabby Petito’s Death Preventable? The Answer has a Lot to do With Bail
Moab police were called to a domestic violence incident between Gabby Petito and her boyfriend a mere two weeks before he strangled her to death. Many have questioned whether a stronger intervention by Moab police could have...
What Should Happen if an Officer Lies To Obtain a Search Warrant?
This question has become more than theoretical for Roderick Talley, whose apartment door was blown off its hinges and apartment searched after an officer lied in an affidavit.
Receiving Centers Offer Safety to the Public and Those in Crisis Outside of the Criminal Justice System
Officers are frequently called on to intervene in mental health crises. They routinely encounter people talking to themselves or behaving erratically, experiencing drug-induced psychosis, or acting violently with family members...
Defendants Can Now Make More Informed Decisions About Plea Bargains
Defendants hold the right to trial, and there are circumstances when waiving that right and accepting a plea bargain are in a defendant’s best interest. However, that is a weighty decision and should be made with complete...
Jury Discretion in the Wild
Jury discretion — when a jury acquits a defendant despite clear evidence of guilt — is often discussed, but is rarely identified in the wild.