Category: Criminal law

Criminal law, Lawyering

Michael Cohen Turns Against Letitia James and Alvin Bragg
C-Span/YouTube Screenshot

Michael Cohen is back.

The disbarred lawyer has spent a lifetime marketing his curious skill set: a moral and ethical flexibility that allows him to do things that others would find revolting.  A legal thug who threatened students, journalists, and others on behalf of his former client. He then turned against Trump to cut a deal for himself after being criminally charged for fraudulent conduct. He has now turned against the New York prosecutors who sought to rehabilitate him to prosecute Trump. Continue reading “Michael Cohen Turns Against Letitia James and Alvin Bragg” →

Congress, Criminal law

Democrats Fight to Keep the Insurrection Myth Alive in the New J6 Committee

The new J6 Committee has started its hearings and, unlike the prior Committee, Republicans have allowed Democrats to select members to sit in opposition. That has led to sharp exchanges, but one of the more interesting occurred between Rep. Harriet Hageman (R., Wyo.) and Jamie Raskin (D., Md.). After Hageman got a witness to admit that no one was charged with incitement, Raskin made the clearly false statement that a few defendants charged with seditious conspiracy was the same thing as incitement. It is not. Continue reading “Democrats Fight to Keep the Insurrection Myth Alive in the New J6 Committee” →

Columns, Congress, Courts, Criminal law, Politics

“Now is That Time”: Clintons Defy Congressional Subpeona and Trigger Contempt Proceedings

Woody Allen famously said, “80% of success in life is just showing up.” When it comes to Bill and Hillary Clinton and possible congressional contempt, it may be 100%. The two politicians have decided to defy lawful subpoenas issued by the House. For the House Oversight Committee, now is also the time for contempt proceedings. Continue reading ““Now is That Time”: Clintons Defy Congressional Subpeona and Trigger Contempt Proceedings” →

Criminal law, Media, Politics

Murder, She Wrote: CBS Reporter Declares Good Shooting to be “Murder” by ICE

CBS News has made great strides under Bari Weiss, but clearly there remains work to be done. On Monday’s “CBS Evening News,” CBS News Homeland Security and Justice Correspondent Nicole Sganga declared that the video released by DHS shows “the minutes leading up to the murder of Renee Good.” It is an all-too-familiar pattern in which the mainstream media aligns its reporting with the advocacy of groups on the left. As I have written, one can certainly disagree with the necessity of using lethal force in this instance, but it fell well within the established guidelines for the use of such force set by the Supreme Court and lower courts. Continue reading “Murder, She Wrote: CBS Reporter Declares Good Shooting to be “Murder” by ICE” →

Columns, Constitutional Law, Criminal law, Politics, Supreme Court

The ICE Elephant: Why the Law Requires All the Facts

Below is my column in The Hill on the refusal of many to consider all of the facts in the shooting of Renee Good in Minneapolis. The myopic analysis of press and pundits shows how the tragedy is being weaponized for political purposes.

Here is the column:

Continue reading “The ICE Elephant: Why the Law Requires All the Facts” →

Columns, Criminal law, Media, Politics

Going Full Spartacus: Democrats Hold Chest-Thumping Press Conferences to Fuel Anti-ICE Rage

Below is my column on Fox.com on Democratic leaders rushing to outdo each other to ride the rage in the aftermath of the shooting of Renee Good. They are promising everything from arresting ICE officers to defunding the entire agency to stripping officers of their immunity. They are the latest “I am Spartacus” moments and it is playing well to their political base.

Here is the column: Continue reading “Going Full Spartacus: Democrats Hold Chest-Thumping Press Conferences to Fuel Anti-ICE Rage” →

Academia, Criminal law, Free Speech

Stanford Students Defiant As They Stand Trial for Anti-Israel Property Damage

The five Stanford students accused of vandalism in the 2024 anti-Israel protests are finally being tried for the property damage. No comment more summed up the mentality on many of our campuses than that of German Gonzalez, who declared, “It is ridiculous for me or for any of us co-defendants to be accused of property damage.” There remains a sense of license to commit crimes. Continue reading “Stanford Students Defiant As They Stand Trial for Anti-Israel Property Damage” →

Criminal law

“It Saddens Me”: Portland Police Chief Cries in Press Conference After Confirming ICE Account

In Portland, protests have raged after the shooting of two suspects being pursued by ICE officers. Media accounts immediately portrayed the shooting as excessive force on a Hispanic couple in their car. Later, Portland Police Chief Bob Day admitted that they withheld the suspected gang associations of the couple despite the early misleading accounts. Wiping away tears, Day said that he did not want to contribute to the “injustice.” Continue reading ““It Saddens Me”: Portland Police Chief Cries in Press Conference After Confirming ICE Account” →

Columns, Congress, Criminal law, Media, Politics

“It was an Outright Murder.” Democratic Politicians Pander to the Mob on ICE Shooting

Below is my column on Fox.com on Democratic politicians and pundits immediately declaring that the ICE officer in Minneapolis is a murderer. There is a method to this madness for politicians such as Rep. Dan Goldman (D., N.Y.) who are facing primary challenges from the far left. He and others sit like Madam Defarge, simply knitting the names of expendable officers to fuel the mob.

Here is the column: Continue reading ““It was an Outright Murder.” Democratic Politicians Pander to the Mob on ICE Shooting” →

Columns, Criminal law, International

The United States Captures Nicolás Maduro and his Wife

In an extraordinary military operation, the United States launched a large-scale military operation in Caracas, Venezuela with special forces seizing President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. There is a pending 2020 indictment of Maduro in the Southern District of New York where he is expected to be taken to face prosecution. Continue reading “The United States Captures Nicolás Maduro and his Wife” →

Congress, Criminal law

“Second or Even Third Hand” Evidence: Former Special Counsel Jack Smith Debunks Key J6 Committee Witness

We previously discussed how the J6 Committee and many in the media played up the “bombshell” testimony of former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson despite glaring contradictions that were hidden from the public. The J6 Committee denied reports of those contradictions and then delayed the release of directly conflicting testimony as the press played up who Trump allegedly tried to seize control of the Presidential limo to go to Capitol Hill. In his deposition before Congress, former special counsel Jack Smith indicated that Hutchinson’s testimony as unreliable, unsupported, and unusable in any trial. Smith appears to have finally presented a conclusive indictment . . . of the J6 Committee.

Continue reading ““Second or Even Third Hand” Evidence: Former Special Counsel Jack Smith Debunks Key J6 Committee Witness” →

Columns, Criminal law, Media, Politics

New York Times Rewrites History Again With Nikole Hannah-Jones

Former New York Times reporter and Howard University professor Nikole Hannah-Jones has long been controversial as a writer who expressly rejects objectivity and neutrality in journalism. That was most evident in her “1619 Project,” which was ridiculed by historians and law professors in claiming that slavery was the driving force behind American independence. Nevertheless, the project was awarded the Pulitzer Prize despite glaring historical errors. Yet, this month, Hannah-Jones is back on the pages of the New York Times again rewriting history. This time, she is praising cop-killer and 1960s revolutionary Assata Shakur (left).

Continue reading “New York Times Rewrites History Again With Nikole Hannah-Jones” →

Bizarre, Criminal law, Media

“You Know Who I am Right?” Identity Confusion Leaves Rhode Island Woman Under Fire After Viral Video

What is the next worst thing to being arrested for DUI just before Christmas with a viral video of you berating an officer? Being confused with that person by irate citizens because you share the same name, Maria Bucci. It is particularly unwelcome when you are a substance abuse counselor. Continue reading ““You Know Who I am Right?” Identity Confusion Leaves Rhode Island Woman Under Fire After Viral Video” →

Courts, Criminal law, Lawyering

Milwaukee Judge Hannah Dugan Found Guilty of Obstruction

A jury in Milwaukee this week proved that it takes more than a robe to act like a judge. On Thursday, Judge Hannah Dugan was found guilty of the most serious count brought against her in a case that captivated many in the nation. Dugan famously told a fellow judge to wear her robe in the hallway to confront federal officers seeking to arrest a suspect.

Continue reading “Milwaukee Judge Hannah Dugan Found Guilty of Obstruction” →

Courts, Criminal law, Lawyering

Fellow Judge Delivers Blow to the Defense of Hannah Dugan

The trial of Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan began this week. Yesterday, the defense was delivered a blow from the testimony of the judge, who Dugan enlisted to confront ICE officers seeking to arrest an illegal alien in the courthouse. Judge Kristela Cervera testified that she was pulled into the dispute by Dugan, who she said admitted that she was trying to help Eduardo Flores-Ruiz as he evaded officers. Continue reading “Fellow Judge Delivers Blow to the Defense of Hannah Dugan” →

Res ipsa loquitur – The thing itself speaks