Drug Treatment Courts

A Judge’s Journey: How Sobriety Courts Transformed Justice – Part 2

In part two of this series, Judge Brian MacKenzie interviews Judge Michael Haley about his law review article, Drug Courts: The Criminal Justice System Rolls the Rock. Judge Haley shares how Sobriety Courts transformed his approach to sentencing, offering hope and improving outcomes for participants and judges alike.
Voting Rights

Voting Rights: Court Rulings on Democracy’s Cornerstone

This episode of Justice Speaks examines pivotal court decisions addressing voting rights following the Shelby County v. Holder ruling. Judges Peggy Hora (Ret.) and Brian MacKenzie (Ret.) discuss cases in North Carolina, Wisconsin, Texas, Michigan, and Kansas that highlight the ongoing battle to protect democracy and equality in the face of restrictive laws.
Syrian Refugee Crisis

Syrian Refugee Crisis: A View from Istanbul

I was recently invited by the Turkish Association of Judicial Unity, (YBD) to be an observer at an international symposium on the Syrian refugee crisis.   It was arranged in cooperation with the law schools of Istanbul and Ankara Universities, the Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, and the Turkish Ministry of Interior. Turkey
  • Published in Law
Tagged under:
Vicarious Liability and Company Vehicles

Vicarious Liability: Employer Liability for Employees’ Driving

The common law legal theory of vicarious liability existed long before the invention of the first motor vehicle.  Applying the concept of respondeat superior, courts have held that an employer is responsible for the wrongful acts or omissions of their employees during their scope of their employment. For an act to be considered within the
Tagged under:
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
Tagged under:
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
Tagged under:
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.
Tagged under: , , ,