Sixth Amendment right to counsel

The Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution

As almost every American has learned from watching a myriad of police shows, a person charged with a crime has the right to an attorney and if that person cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for them.  Contrary to the television shows, the language about the right to an attorney contained in the
  • Published in Law
Read the Constitution

Have You Read the Constitution?

At the 2016 Democratic Convention, Khizr Khan asked of Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump; “Have you even read the United States Constitution?” Unless you are living under a rock, if you are in the United States you have heard about his question and the ongoing political debate, as have millions of people around the globe.
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Sex Discrimination

Sex Discrimination and the Law: Defining the Boundaries

Courts have started to determine whether sexual orientation or gender identity discrimination is cognizable as sex discrimination under federal statutes. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued guidance and an administrative ruling in 2015 that interpreted Title VII of the Civil Rights Act to include sexual orientation-based bias within the definition of sex-based discrimination. This
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Marijuana Re-Schedule

The Marijuana Re-Schedule

It was good news and bad news this week for those who wish to legalize marijuana when the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) declined to re-schedule marijuana from a Schedule I to Schedule II drug. (Statement 1, Statement 2) The ruling came in response to two petitions – one from the governors of Rhode Island and
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Honor Killings

Honor Killings: A Global Crisis in Violence Against Women

Sadly, the above news headlines are not uncommon.  According to the United Nations, it is estimated that globally there are 5,000 murders called ‘honor killings’ every year.  Women’s advocacy groups have estimated the number of victims is closer to 20,000 annually because many of these murders are covered up as accidents or suicides.  With the
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Therapeutic Jurisprudence

Therapeutic Jurisprudence in Impaired Driving Law

Driving while impaired (DWI) by alcohol or other drugs is an international problem. Far too many people lose their lives, are injured or injure others while engaging in this totally preventable crime. Some countries have a stronger ethic about not drinking and driving than others but it is a widespread issue in all parts of
Elder Abuse and Exploitation

Elder Abuse and Exploitation: Protecting Vulnerable Adults

Editor’s Note: June 15th is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.  Learn more here.  With our ever growing aging population, crimes against older adults are increasing and becoming more widespread.  Since 2010, the senior population (65 and over) has increased 30% compared to an overall population growth of only 12%. The percentage of Americans in their
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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
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Romer v. Evans

Romer v. Evans: A Landmark in LGBT Rights History

May 20, 2016 marks the 20th anniversary of the Supreme Court decision in Romer v. Evans. This was the first positive decision by that Court on the issues of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) rights. It overturned a discriminatory Colorado initiative (Amendment 2) that sought to amend the state constitution to prohibit protections for
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Drugged Driving

Marijuana in the Workplace

Along with alcohol and other drugs in the workplace, the advent of the legalization of medical and recreational marijuana in many states requires employers to face a variety of issues related to the use of marijuana by employees. The U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) estimated in 2013 that 9.1% of full-time