Recent Blog Posts
Nevada Grand Jury Investigations
While the majority of criminal cases do not require a grand jury because prosecutors themselves make a decision related to whether or not they have probable cause to proceed with charges, things get a little more complicated when a case is extremely serious or high profile. District attorneys may then look to a grand… Read More »
The Case Of Ronald Greene: Questions About Police Integrity
The lies keep tumbling out. When police notified the family of Ronald Green that the 42-year- old had died in a single-car crash in 2019, they were naturally devastated. Green had recently been declared in remission from a battle with cancer and was on his way to meet his wife on the night he… Read More »
How Trustworthy Is Eyewitness Testimony In Court?
If you are facing criminal charges and eyewitness testimony is central to your prosecution, you may be very concerned about the possibility of a conviction. After all, someone who may seem to be an upstanding member of the community claims to have seen you commit a crime. What chance could you possibly have against… Read More »
What Do Calls For Defunding Police Really Mean?
We’ve all heard a lot of talk about defunding the police in recent months. Is that synonymous with abolishing law enforcement? The fact of the matter is, the term can refer to any number of actions related to police reform. Let’s take a look at the nuance behind the movement. Key Points Virtually every… Read More »
Modern Justice: Diversion Programs In Lieu Of Incarceration
Concerns surrounding the criminal justice system in the United States are well-documented. This because fully one percent of all adults in this country are currently in jail or prison—as much as ten times the rates of incarceration in democracies across the globe. Equally disturbing is the fact that over 50 percent of those behind… Read More »
Nevada Police: Warriors Or Guardians?
The debate over the militarization of local police forces across the country has led civilians and law enforcement alike into intense discussions as to the role of police in the 21st century. Are helmets and shields, batons and riot gear appropriate? Or has the time for a gentler police force arrived? While some promote… Read More »
Can Law Enforcement Enter Your Home Without A Warrant In Certain Situations? The Supreme Court Debates the Question
Does the Fourth Amendment prohibit police from entering our homes without a warrant? Most people would state that the answer is an unequivocal “yes.” The fact of the matter is that the Supreme Court is currently considering the question, so perhaps things aren’t as cut and dried as we all assume. What seems to… Read More »
Problems With Incarceration In America
Incarcerated populations face enormous challenges in this country. Recent studies indicate that roughly one in three adults in America have experienced an arrest by the age of just 23. The majority of these arrests will involve poor men of color. Many of these arrests will result in incarceration, even though 80 percent of arrests… Read More »
The Bystander Effect In Policing
The nation has been riveted to the Derek Chauvin trial involving the death of George Floyd. Questions as to the efficacy impact of Chauvin’s actions are being weighed by a jury, and rightly so. Floyd died after a police interaction that raised so many red flags that multiple bystanders called 911 to request assistance… Read More »
A Watershed Moment? What does The Chauvin Verdict Mean For The Future?
A collective sigh of relief was released as the verdict in the Derek Chauvin case was announced: guilty on all counts. Was justice served? While nothing will bring George Floyd back to his family and loved ones, the verdict most certainly demonstrated that it is possible to hold police officers accountable for their actions…. Read More »
