About Colin Nelson

Colin T. Nelson worked for 40 years as a prosecutor and criminal defense lawyer in Minneapolis. He tried everything from speeding tickets to first degree murder. His writing about the courtroom and the legal system give the reader a "back door" view of what goes on, what's funny, and what's a good story. He has also traveled extensively and includes those locations in his mysteries. Some are set in Southeast Asia, Ecuador,Peru, and South Africa. Readers get a suspenseful tale while learning about new places on the planet. Colin is married, has two adult children, and plays the saxophone in various bands.

How the Supreme Court Works

In this crazy political environment, many people are worried about the new president and who he may appoint to the Supreme Court.  Instead how the supreme court worksof listening to the media and worrying, I’d suggest visiting it in Washington to see how the Supreme Court works.

Most tourists visit the capitol and and the White House.  Very few stop at the …

7 Reasons to Visit Southern Africa

southern africaIf you’re thinking about getting out of the U.S. for a while, try Southern Africa.  My wife and I spent about two+ weeks in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Botswana—all located in the bottom triangle of the African continent.  You should visit Southern Africa to clear your head!

Here’s why—

  1.  The people we met were friendly and interested in

An Antidote to the Political News

political newsSince we’re all so sick of the political news and, especially, what it dredges-up about some of the worst aspects of human behavior, here’s a great story about something different.  Something much more positive—that all of us can practice every day to make the community around us better.  And we don’t need politicians to be involved!

The story …

Race Relations in South Africa vs. the U.S.

race relationsMy wife and i spent a couple weeks in South Africa recently.  Apartheid ended 22 years ago and we experienced how race relations are progressing there today.  How do they compare with race relations in the U.S?

  1.  In South Africa the majority of people are black or colored (mixed racial background) in contrast to the U.S.  As a

Why Saudi Arabia Lawsuit Veto-override is Wrong

A congressional majority passed a new law recently allowing 9/11 victims’ families to sue the country of Saudi Arabia for compensation.  President Obama vetoed the bill but congress over-rode the veto and passed the law.  See article in NY Times:  http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/29/us/politics/senate-votes-to-override-obama-veto-on-9-11-victims-bill.html

saudi arabia lawsuit veto over-rideWhy the Saudi Arabia lawsuit veto-override is wrong.

I’m a lawyer but not a diplomat or international …

Is Crime Up or Down? Here’s the Answer

The media, and certain politicians, keep screaming that crime is out-of-control in the U.S.  Our cities are worse than the fighting in Syria.  “It’s ais crime up or down slaughter out there,” one politician said.  We citizens wonder and start to worry: is crime up or down?  What’s the truth?

Here’s the answer.

In 1929 the police chiefs of dozens of American …