I read. A lot. I mostly choose fiction, and I have loved mysteries for most of my life. Here are quick reviews of the four books I read in January of 2019.
Read MoreWhen it comes to civil cases, little is known about competency. State laws do not provide a definition for competency to participate in a civil proceeding, and there is little research on the phenomenon. Yet, there are many times where an individual may get wrapped up in a civil case (divorce, probate matters, law suits, etc.) where they may not be competent to assist their attorneys or to understand what is happening in court and make rational decisions based on that understanding.
Read MoreIn a few classic stories, Sherlock enlists the help of his friend’s hound. Sherlock is always convinced he will sniff out the killer. Every time, the dog merely leads Sherlock around the city on a random adventure that leaves him no closer to solving the crime. But he still loves that dog.
Read MoreA lot of people kill other people. But not all of those murderers are psychopaths. One interesting way to understand the difference between psychopathic and non-psychopathic murderers is through their differing uses of language.
Read MoreA 2005 decision by the US Supreme Court makes it unconstitutional to execute anyone who committed murder prior to the age of 18. The details of the groundbreaking case of Roper v. Simmons are summarized here.
Read MoreThe upshot for attorneys: jurors take expert witness confidence into account and use it to make decisions about the credibility of the witness. It also affects their deliberations and trial outcomes, so find good witnesses, make sure they do solid work, and then prepare them for testimony.
Read MoreCooper v. Oklahoma (1996) is the United States Supreme Court decision that forced states to uniformly adopt the “preponderance of evidence” standard for criminal competency hearing.
Read MoreDue To The Testimony From Two Psychiatrists Willing To Say Anyone Is Highly Dangerous, Mental Health Professionals Are Now Allowed to Make Predictions of Future Violence
Read More