Drug Treatment Courts

A Judge’s Journey: How Drug Treatment Courts Transformed Justice – Part 1

In part one of this series, Judge Brian MacKenzie interviews Judge Michael Haley about his law review article, Drug Court: The Criminal Justice System Rolls the Rock. Judge Haley shares his journey in developing a Drug Treatment Court, the challenges faced, and how these courts provide hope and transform sentencing practices.
Drug Treatment Court Judges

The Judge’s Role in Drug Treatment Courts: Research and Insights

This episode delves into the critical role of Drug Treatment Court judges and how their behavior impacts participant success. Research highlights the importance of procedural fairness, positive judicial demeanor, and the judge-participant relationship in creating transformational outcomes for drug-dependent defendants. Discover what makes a successful DTC judge.
Therapy Dogs in Court

Therapy Dogs in Court: Supporting Witnesses & Veterans

Therapy dogs in courtrooms provide emotional support to vulnerable witnesses and veterans. Learn how these dogs reduce anxiety, improve testimony, and support rehabilitation in Veterans' Treatment Courts.
state supreme court politics

State Supreme Court Politics and the Threat to Justice

State Supreme Courts are “the ultimate judicial tribunal in the court system of a particular state.”  The Federal Courts only trumps them when there is a federal question and even then there is sometimes concurrent jurisdiction. On state issues they are the last word and therefore of utmost importance. The  selection criteria of each state
  • Published in Law
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Veterans Treatment Courts

Veterans Treatment Courts: Honoring Service with Justice

Today is Veterans Day in the United States.  This means we should think, not just about those veterans who have been killed or physically wounded over the last decade and a half  of the wars in the middle east but, also of those veterans who return from those wars suffering from invisible wounds in the form
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Deflategate Court Decision

Deflategate: Examining the Federal Court Decision

This episode of Justice Speaks examines the federal court ruling in the Deflategate case. We break down Judge Berman’s decision, Tom Brady’s suspension, and the arbitration process that led to the case being overturned. Was justice served? Join us as we explore the legal side of this high-profile NFL controversy.
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trust in the judiciary

Trust in the Judiciary

A recent Gallup poll claimed that the trust American’s have in the judicial branch of government had fallen to a record-low. Only 53% of those polled said they had “a great deal” or “a fair amount” of trust in the judiciary. This decline was driven by conservative voters whose trust in the judiciary fell by
  • Published in Law
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Rule of Law

The Rule of Law and Public Officials’ Responsibilities

Judge Brian MacKenzie discusses the rule of law and how public officials, like Kim Davis, must uphold it. Learn how legal accountability ensures democracy and justice for all.
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Rule of Law

The Rule of Law

As I write this, Clerk Kim Davis of Rowan County Kentucky has refused to obey an order issued by a judge of the United States District Court. She appealed the decision to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals and to the United States Supreme Court. Both rejected her appeal. She is a public official and
  • Published in Law
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