Author Archives: Jay Butchko
When DV Survivors Wind Up Behind Bars
It shouldn’t surprise us to learn that many of the women in prison who’ve been convicted of murder or manslaughter were previously victims of intimate partner violence. In one such case, a woman stabbed a former boyfriend after months of stalking. In another, a woman killed her partner, who’d repeatedly raped and beaten her… Read More »
Can Confidential and/or Jailhouse Informants be Trusted?
Police use confidential informants (CIs) and jailhouse snitches to gather information and put suspects behind bars all the time. Unfortunately, there are some real problems with the practice: There are no good mechanisms in place to figure out if an informant (or a police officer) is being untruthful; Informants have incentives to lie; Police… Read More »
Reasonable Doubt in a Criminal Case
When you’re hoping for a not guilty verdict, you are typically a defendant who is relying on their attorney to create reasonable doubt in the minds of the jury. What does that entail? Understanding Reasonable Doubt The burden on the prosecutor is to present proof of your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. In other… Read More »
Defending Charges of Bank Robbery
Movies about bank robberies are fan favorites, always packed with intrigue and action. But do they happen in real life very often? The short answer is that yes, they do! If you have been charged with bank robbery, you need a tough criminal defense attorney at bat for you! Nevada Robberies in the News … Read More »
The Link Between Substance Abuse and Crime
The impacts of drugs and alcohol on a person’s life—including their family, co-workers, friends, and community members—can be devastating. The burden of addiction extends across society, from schools to prisons. In fact, one of the most serious impacts is the connection between addiction and criminal activity. Statistics Worth Knowing It may surprise some to… Read More »
Making Motions in Court
If you’ve ever watched a courtroom drama on television, you’ve heard lawyers make motions. You’ve probably never really thought about them but the truth is, they can make a monumental difference in the outcome of a trial. What is a Motion? Prosecutors and defense attorneys in criminal courts can make written requests to the… Read More »
Defending Charges of Arson
Arson is a serious crime, committed more than 500,000 times across the country annually and costing more than $2 billion in property damage. The structures involved in these fires included homes, warehouses, churches, commercial buildings, public buildings, and more. Sometimes these fires take place in fields or forests; other times they may involve a… Read More »
Help Yourself by Helping Your Attorney
If you are facing criminal charges, the first thing you need to do is find a reputable, experienced criminal defense attorney who will fight for you. Once you have that attorney, the two of you need to work together to provide the best defense possible. Achieving the best outcomes will require a few things… Read More »
Defending False Accusations of Domestic Violence
According to a 2023 survey, ten out of every 100 accusations of domestic violence are false. The majority of those accusations target a male, although women, too, have been falsely accused. If you are on the receiving end of false accusations, you need an aggressive and dedicated criminal defense attorney looking out for your… Read More »
When Social Media is Used in Criminal Cases
Prosecutors and police are increasingly implementing social media in a variety of ways in order to investigate and prosecute criminal activity. Since there are relatively few legal restrictions on the use of such media, it’s a no-brainer from their point of view. Social media—including texts, emails, and posts in places like Instagram and Facebook,… Read More »
