In California, authorities have arrested Harry Burkhart who is accused of starting over 50 fires in Los Angeles. This might be a record for arsonists! See article in the Star Tribune: http://www.startribune.com/nation/136632808.html 
Why do people start fires?
In the research for a new book that I’m working on, I’ve studied the odd crime of arson. Unlike most …
Latest statistics show that crime is at one of the lowest levels in years. Between 1991 and 2010, the homicide rate fell 51 percent. With some luck, we may reach the lowest homicide rates since 1957. Other crimes such as burglary, armed robbery, and especially auto theft are way down, too. The big question all the experts …
As an author, I envy the sales and popularity of Stieg Larsson’s trilogy of books about Lisbeth Salander ( the main character) and all the things she’s kicking or burning. I also wonder: why is this series so popular?
I think it’s popular because, in many ways, the stories are in such contrast to real law enforcement, prosecution …
The former governor of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich was sentenced to 14 years in prison in federal court in Chicago and afterward quoted Rudyard Kipling: “…if you can meet with triumph and disaster and treat those two impostors just the same…” He vowed to fight and not let the next 12+ years in prison get him down.
Give me …
In many areas of the court system, guardians are appointed by judges to help people. What do they do?
In adult court guardians are most often appointed for a person if they are mentally unable to understand the proceedings. For instance, in Probate Court where decisions about a person’s mental health are made, guardians are appointed for …
How can it be that when someone is accused of a crime, they always seem to be released from custody while they wait for their trial.
Instead of the judge holding them in custody, they get released into the community on bail.
What’s going on?
In Minnesota, as in other states, the state constitution in the Bill of …
Last week, a book club had invited me to speak to their group. One of the questions about my work as a criminal defense lawyer was intriguing: How many people have you represented who were truly evil?
I had to think for a moment. Although I’ve represented thousands of criminals over the years, how many were actually evil? …
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