DV Tip of the Week 5 MIN READ Website My boss is an idiot What to do when the Judge won't follow the law is my number one question from prosecutors. This week's post is about my number two question. I get so many questions about this from so many prosecutors around the country. It happens in every jurisdiction. While this weeks tip focuses on prosecutors, it's no different for law enforcement, medical professionals, and advocates. What do I do if I have a terrible boss? A universal belief in...
16 days ago • 3 min read
DV Tip of the Week 5 MIN READ Website The judge just excluded our resident expert. What now? IF you did a good job of laying the foundation, then what's the next step? The problem I've been working with several agencies that have experienced recent difficulty in establishing expert testimony. In all three cases the witness had previously qualified as an expert. In all three cases the prosecutors did a good job of laying the foundation. In all three cases the defense was able to convince the...
22 days ago • 3 min read
DV Tip of the Week 5 MIN READ Website Do we really have to take these guns? Shall or Should Under California Penal Code Section 18250 If any of the following persons is at the scene of a domestic violence incident involving a threat to human life or a physical assault, is serving a protective order as defined in Section 6218 of the Family Code, or is serving a gun violence restraining order issued pursuant to Division 3.2 (commencing with Section 18100), that person shall take temporary...
29 days ago • 2 min read
DV Tip of the Week 5 MIN READ Website I don't understand. I followed all the rules about picking a jury. It didn't work. The jury "rules" It seems like every office has rules or guidelines about who should be on what type of jury. We are not talking about violating any state, federal, or Constitutional rules about jury selection. This is about what types of jurors are viewed as being more favorable to your case. I recently watched a video clip from Rusty Hardin, defense attorney. While...
about 1 month ago • 2 min read
DV Tip of the Week 5 MIN READ Website The Judge won't follow the law. What do I do? Clarify The most difficult question I encounter when training is how to overcome a judicial officer's refusal to follow the law. Last week, I had three different agencies reach out with the same issue. The first step is to clarify what is occurring and why. Judges take an oath to follow the law. Before we accuse them of failing to follow the law, we need to be certain WE are correct. Did the prosecutor clearly...
about 1 month ago • 2 min read
DV Tip of the Week 5 MIN READ Website If only you knew what they were going to do, you could plan for it. Team effort Ever been in the middle of trial and felt like you got ambushed by the defendant, the defense attorney, and your victim? Here is a way to avoid that feeling. Red Team The military sets up scenarios where a team will be built for the soul purpose of exposing flaws in a military plan. The Red Team will try everything possible to ruin the plan of the Blue Team to expose...
about 2 months ago • 2 min read
DV Tip of the Week 5 MIN READ Website We work in a high pressure environment. If you've ever let that pressure get to you, then you know how it impacts your victims. We are humans dealing with highly volatile human emotions There's a difference between being passionate about your case and letting your emotions control your actions. I've counseled, coached, and mentored prosecutors who have experienced the pain of letting their emotions override their actions. When fear takes over Every case...
2 months ago • 2 min read
DV Tip of the Week 5 MIN READ Website Media Kit I listen to a ton of classic rock. I started thinking about how some of the song titles relate back to domestic violence This post covers some songs by the Rolling Stones. Before you launch into a rant I'm not saying the Stones are sensitive to DV issues. There's clearly some issues with the actual songs: Angie talks about how you can't say we've never tried--a bit of victim blaming Under My Thumb-pure power and control Dead Flowers-A good song...
2 months ago • 2 min read
DV Tip of the Week 5 MIN READ Website Media Kit "My victim disappeared on the day of trial. What now?" You were all ready for trial but now your victim disappeared. You are certain your defendant had something to do with it. You wonder if you have enough evidence to prove forfeiture. You'd better think quick because you only have the lunch hour to make it happen or risk a dismissal. Dig your well before you are thirsty Instead of waiting until your victim goes missing, start building your...
2 months ago • 2 min read