Hon. Brian MacKenzie (Ret.), Author at Justice Speakers Institute

Negligent Entrustment and the Cost of Employer Oversight

Monday, 26 March 2018 by Hon. Brian MacKenzie (Ret.)

A tragic crash in Michigan highlights the deadly consequences of negligent entrustment. This blog explains how poor hiring decisions, fatigue, and lack of corporate safety policies can lead to legal and financial ruin. Learn how employers can reduce liability and protect lives through proper vetting, training, and risk management.

Published in Corporate Safety, Road Safety, Traffic Safety

Tagged under: commercial driver safety, corporate traffic safety, Employer Liability, Negligent Entrustment, Vicarious Liability

Political Delegitimization and the Threat to Democracy

Tuesday, 13 February 2018 by Hon. Brian MacKenzie (Ret.)

The violent threats made by Brandon Griesemer reflect a deeper issue—political delegitimization. This article explores how undermining opponents’ legitimacy erodes democratic institutions. Drawing on insights from How Democracies Die, it highlights the urgent need to defend tolerance, facts, and the rule of law before it’s too late.

Published in Law

Tagged under: democratic erosion, How Democracies Die, hreats to democracy, political delegitimization, political tolerance

How the Equifax Data Breach Exposed Millions

Tuesday, 30 January 2018 by Hon. Brian MacKenzie (Ret.)

The Equifax data breach compromised the personal data of over 145 million Americans. This blog examines how the breach occurred, the risks of unencrypted information, and the failure of regulatory safeguards. It also provides practical steps for protecting your identity, including freezing credit and monitoring financial records.

Published in Cyber Law, Law

Tagged under: consumer protection, credit monitoring, cybersecurity failures, Equifax data breach, identity theft prevention

The Spy in Your Pocket: Smartphone Tracking and Data Privacy

Tuesday, 02 January 2018 by Hon. Brian MacKenzie (Ret.)

Your smartphone is silently tracking your every move. Whether you use Android or iPhone, your data is collected, analyzed, and shared—often without your knowledge. This blog explores how smartphone tracking works, its risks to your privacy, and steps you can take to protect your personal information and digital security.

Published in Cyber Law

Tagged under: Android privacy, cybersecurity tips, data privacy, iPhone location settings, smartphone tracking

Ensuring Accurate Specimen Collection: Key Practices for Justice Programs: Part 3

Thursday, 21 December 2017 by Hon. Brian MacKenzie (Ret.)

Part three of The Nuts and Bolts of Drug Testing focuses on specimen collection practices. Discover best practices for participant identification, secure collection sites, chain of custody, and witnessed collections to ensure accurate and reliable test results. Proper procedures are vital for maintaining integrity in justice programs and preventing test subversion.

Published in Drug Testing, Podcast

Why Carpenter v. United States Matters for Your Privacy

Tuesday, 12 December 2017 by Hon. Brian MacKenzie (Ret.)

The Supreme Court case Carpenter v. United States centers on the government’s access to cell phone location data without a warrant. While the defendant was guilty of serious crimes, the legal implications extend to every American's privacy. Learn how this decision shapes digital surveillance and your rights in the information age.

Published in Cyber Law

Tagged under: Carpenter v. United States, cell phone location tracking, digital privacy, Fourth Amendment rights, Supreme Court decision

Treatment Court Best Practices: Comprehensive Drug Testing: Part 2

Thursday, 30 November 2017 by Hon. Brian MacKenzie (Ret.)

Part two of The Nuts and Bolts of Drug Testing delves into the best practices for effective testing in treatment courts. Discover how frequent, random, long-term, and comprehensive testing supports participant success, reduces recidivism, and enhances program integrity. Learn why testing is a cornerstone of treatment court best practices.

Published in Drug Testing, Podcast

Veterans Treatment Courts: A Special Court to Deal Effectively with Convicted Veterans

Saturday, 11 November 2017 by Hon. Brian MacKenzie (Ret.)

Veterans treatment courts offer a second chance to veterans like Joe, who return from combat with PTSD and trauma. This blog explains how these courts connect justice-involved veterans to treatment, accountability, and peer support—ultimately saving lives and reducing incarceration. The results are remarkable, and the need is urgent.

Published in Law, Problem Solving Courts, Veterans Courts

Tagged under: invisible wounds, Justice Reform, PTSD and veterans, veteran support programs, Veterans Treatment Courts

Oakland County Lawsuit Highlights Right to Counsel Crisis

Tuesday, 08 August 2017 by Hon. Brian MacKenzie (Ret.)

Oakland County is suing Michigan over who should pay to uphold the right to counsel at arraignment. The lawsuit highlights a critical justice issue: without early legal representation, poor defendants face jail and high costs. The proposed standards could cut jail expenses—but local governments want the state to foot the bill.

Published in Law

Tagged under: indigent defense reform, Oakland County lawsuit, public defender funding, right to counsel at arraignment, Sixth Amendment rights

Airline Passenger Rights: What Contracts Reveal About Customer Treatment

Thursday, 13 April 2017 by Hon. Brian MacKenzie (Ret.)

When my partners and I created the Justice Speakers Institute, the main goal was to work to improve justice throughout the world but, admittedly, I also wanted the opportunity to travel. As a result, I purchase a lot of airline tickets flying from Detroit Metropolitan Airport, a Delta hub. I have had my share of

Published in Law

Tagged under: Dr. Dao, United