Author Archives: Jay Butchko
U.S Supreme Court Intervenes In Opioids Blame Case
Patients go into doctor’s offices every day complaining of excruciating pain, expecting a solution. For many, that solution is opioids of various varieties and doses, often leading patients to ask for additional prescriptions down the road. And yes, sometimes people get addicted, and the outcomes are horrible. Prescribing doctors have taken the brunt of… Read More »
How Reliable Are Confidential Informants In The Criminal Justice System?
Confidential informants (CI’s): they lead police to the heart of crime, right? But most people probably don’t realize that the use of such informants is basically unregulated by courts, giving law enforcement free rein as they make their deals in order to “prove” their cases and nab suspects. False Testimony from CI’s Because CI’s… Read More »
What To Expect From A Criminal Prosecution
If you’ve been charged with criminal activity and are headed toward a trial, you likely have countless questions about what is about to happen. While no two prosecutors and no two trials are ever the same, there are some general principles criminal trials tend to share. 1- Theme: Prosecutors will want to convince a… Read More »
Cell Phone Forensics In Police Work
Anyone who’s paid any attention to the murder trial of Alex Murdaugh is likely aware of the impact that cell phone data had on the outcome. Not only did video taken from the victim’s cell phone prove that Murdaugh was in the vicinity of the murders at the time they occurred; data also revealed… Read More »
Will Your Charges Be Dismissed?
If you are facing criminal charges, you are likely concerned about the future. How aggressively will the prosecutor pursue charges? How will your life change if you are convicted? As far as that goes, what does the law require of the prosecution in order to achieve a guilty verdict? Is there any chance that… Read More »
Armed Protesters
If you’re a little concerned about gun-wielding people who are protesting various issues across this country, join the crowd. But the fact of the matter is, in many states, including Nevada, the law allows for the open carrying of firearms. That’s true whether someone is in the grocery store, at a movie, or at… Read More »
Murder Charges: Types & Penalties
If you are facing murder charges, you already know that you are in serious hot water. What you might not know, however, is that there are many nuances to “murder” from a legal standpoint. What were the circumstances in the case? It could make a huge difference in the charges and the outcome. Now,… Read More »
Is Police Treatment Of Little Kids Appropriate?
Handcuffs on a seven-year-old? Is that really necessary? According to the police, the answer is yes. But there are those who disagree, the child and his parents, in particular. What prompted such treatment, and how often do experiences like this occur? Details of the Situation How did police come to believe that cuffing a… Read More »
Are Any Real Police Reforms Coming To Nevada?
The Nevada legislature passed some pretty extensive police reforms in 2021. So now, as we wrap up 2022, what’s the status of those reforms? It’s worthwhile to take a look at the progress—and lack thereof—as we evaluate the progress of policing in the Silver State. Promised Reforms After the murder of George Floyd, states… Read More »
Keeping An Eye On Potential 2023 Criminal Justice Reforms
Now that the new year has been rung in, many are hoping for new energy being invested into important reforms within the criminal justice system that could improve lives across the country. What are the possibilities? There are certainly plenty of ideas that are grounded in research and evidence, and that have political backing… Read More »
