Law Archives - Page 7 of 12 - Justice Speakers Institute

Bite-Mark Evidence and Frye: When Science Goes Wrong

Tuesday, 28 July 2020 by Hon. Brian MacKenzie (Ret.)

Bite-mark evidence, once widely accepted, is now under intense scrutiny due to scientific invalidation. This blog explores how courts using the Frye standard can revisit outdated forensic testimony and why it matters for justice and scientific integrity in criminal trials.

Published in Law

Tagged under: Bite-Mark Evidence, Forensic Science, Frye Standard, Scientific Validity in Court

Video Jury Trials: From 1971 to Today’s Zoom Courtrooms

Tuesday, 02 June 2020 by Hon. Peggy Hora (Ret.)

This blog explores the surprising history of video jury trials, beginning with a 1971 Ohio case and extending to modern Zoom proceedings. It examines juror reactions, the civil vs. criminal debate, and how courts are adapting to pandemic-era challenges—proving that what’s old may be new again in the justice system.

Published in Law

Tagged under: Civil and Criminal Procedure, Courtroom Technology, Remote Court Heaerings, Video Jury Trials, Zoom Trials

The Daubert Double Standard: Scientific Evidence in Courtrooms

Tuesday, 12 May 2020 by Hon. Brian MacKenzie (Ret.)

The Daubert standard reshaped judicial roles as gatekeepers of scientific evidence, yet its application remains inconsistent. While civil courts apply rigorous scrutiny, criminal courts often admit unreliable forensic evidence. Judges must correct this imbalance to ensure justice. The Science Bench Book for Judges offers guidance to navigate this critical issue.

Published in Law

Tagged under: Criminal vs civil justice, Daubert Standard, forensic science reliability, Frye Standard, Scientific Evidence in Court

Bridging the Trust Gap: Public Engagement in Courts

Tuesday, 05 May 2020 by David Rottman

Slate’s Ramos v. Louisiana analysis underscores the judiciary’s struggle with racial history. Persistent trust gaps—especially among African Americans—stem from perceived procedural fairness deficits. True public engagement—ongoing, two-way dialogue—can bridge this divide, as shown by programs at the Red Hook Community Justice Center and Cleveland Municipal Court’s community-driven initiatives.

Published in Law

Tagged under: court outreach, judicial trust gap, public engagement

Telejurisprudence and the Courts: How COVID-19 Changed Justice

Tuesday, 28 April 2020 by Hon. Peggy Hora (Ret.)

COVID-19 accelerated the adoption of telejurisprudence in courts worldwide. This blog explores how virtual hearings, remote procedures, and new courtroom standards are reshaping justice, while also acknowledging the limitations of this shift. From Zoom arraignments to hybrid jury trials, the future of courtrooms may never be the same.

Published in Law, Technology

Tagged under: COVID-19 justice system, legal technology, remote hearings, Telejurisprudence, virtual courtrooms

JSI VP David J. Wallace Receives Jeff Sauter Treatment Court Award

Tuesday, 27 August 2019 by Justice Speakers Institute

At the PAAM Annual Conference, JSI Vice President David J. Wallace was honored with the Jeff Sauter Treatment Court Award, recognizing his outstanding contributions to treatment courts. Wallace’s extensive career includes leadership in Sobriety Courts, the National Center of DWI Courts, and co-founding JSI, reflecting his dedication to community safety.

Published in Law

Tagged under: David J. Wallace, Jeff Sauter Award, Justice Speakers Institute, MATCP, Sobriety Court

Therapeutic Jurisprudence and the Evolution of Problem-Solving Courts

Tuesday, 01 January 2019 by Hon. Peggy Hora (Ret.)

This blog explores the rise of therapeutic jurisprudence and its influence on problem-solving courts. Tracing its history from the 1980s to today, it highlights how terms like drug treatment courts and solution-focused courts all reflect a shared commitment to treatment over punishment and collaboration over adversarial justice.

Published in Law, Problem Solving Courts

Tagged under: collaborative justice, Drug Treatment Courts, Problem-Solving Courts, Therapeutic Jurisprudence

The Trauma-Informed Courtroom

Tuesday, 31 July 2018 by Hon. Peggy Hora (Ret.)

Why do judges and other justice professionals need to be cognizant of trauma as it relates to court cases? Like it or not, trauma seems to be the overwhelming negative factor affecting many people who come to court. From treatment court participants to those who have experienced child abuse and neglect, “adverse childhood events” (ACE)

Published in Law, Problem Solving Courts, Trauma-Informed Court

Workplace Drug Testing and Reasonable Suspicion Standards

Tuesday, 22 May 2018 by Hon. Brian MacKenzie (Ret.)

Within a workplace setting what does an employer do when there is a legitimate reason to believe that the employee has been abusing alcohol or taking other drugs. The law regarding employee privacy is evolving and many workplace drug testing programs should be considered open to a legal challenge. What is the right balance of

Published in Corporate Safety, Drug Policies, Drug Testing, Law

Confronting Racial Bigotry: The Manmade Hurricane Within

Tuesday, 15 May 2018 by Hon. Kevin Burke

This blog compares racial bigotry to a manmade hurricane—devastating, sustained, and often ignored. It calls for the same urgency and unity we show after natural disasters to confront racial injustice, feed the “good wolf” within us, and create meaningful change rooted in empathy, truth, and self-reflection.

Published in Law, Race

Tagged under: confronting racism, implicit bias, racial bigotry, racial inequality, social justice