Book Review of The Final Case by David Guterson

Here is my review of Book Review of The Final Case by David Guterson. The book is about an octogenarian named Royal, who must get driving assistance from his son to help with the trial of Betsy Harvey, who, along with her husband Delvin, were accused of the abuse, torture, and murder of their adopted daughter, Abagail (Abebe).

Here is my review of Book Review of The Final Case by David Guterson. The book is about an octogenarian named Royal, who must get driving assistance from his son to help with the trial of Betsy Harvey, who, along with her husband Delvin, were accused of the abuse, torture, and murder of their adopted daughter, Abigail (Abebe).

Read more

Supreme Court Decisions on Marriage Equality

What are the Supreme Court decisions on marriage equality? For many, marriage equality means the legalization of gay marriage from Obergefell v. Hodges in 2015. But it began much earlier than that. For Valentine's Day, I wrote a series of decisions about marriage or relationships.

What are the Supreme Court decisions on marriage equality? For many, marriage equality means the legalization of gay marriage from Obergefell v. Hodges in 2015. But it began much earlier than that. For Valentine’s Day, I wrote a series of decisions about marriage or relationships.

Read more

Significance of Lawrence v. Texas [Case Brief]

What is the significance of Lawrence v. Texas? Lots of people know about Obergefell v. Hodges (the 2015 Supreme Court case that legalized gay marriage), but Lawrence paved the way and increased the civil rights of gay couples.

What is the significance of Lawrence v. Texas? Lots of people know about Obergefell v. Hodges (the 2015 Supreme Court case that legalized gay marriage), but Lawrence paved the way and increased the civil rights of gay couples.

Read more

10 Lawyer Valentine Gift Ideas

Here's a list of 10 lawyer Valentine gift ideas. I think all of these are fun, and I'd like to receive every one of them. If you have an attorney in your life, you can buy one of them, too. :) These gifts are non-gender-specific, although you may debate me on the jewelry traditionally being for women. But, as I mentioned below, there are lots of jewelry-type items for lawyers. More than I thought existed!

Here’s a list of 10 lawyer Valentine gift ideas. I think all of these are fun, and I’d like to receive every one of them. If you have an attorney in your life, you can buy one of them, too. 🙂 These gifts are non-gender-specific, although you may debate me on the jewelry traditionally being for women. But, as I mentioned below, there are lots of jewelry-type items for lawyers. More than I thought existed!

Read more

Goliath Season 4 Synopsis & Plot Summary

Here's my Goliath season 4 synopsis and plot summary. I will try to explain the plot and the legalities as best that I can for you, but most of it is just brilliant legal strategy along the way. I should hope to write a book that is so thrilling as this season (and Goliath in general ... except season 2 can drop off the face of the planet). legal thrillers|courtroom dramas|legal television shows|attorneys|lawyers|legal drama

Here’s my Goliath season 4 synopsis and plot summary. I will try to explain the plot and the legalities as best that I can for you, but most of it is just brilliant legal strategy along the way. I should hope to write a book that is so thrilling as this season (and Goliath in general … except season 2 can drop off the face of the planet). By the way, this synopsis has a lot of spoilers, so if you don’t want to be spoiled, don’t read.

Read more

Summary of Roe v. Wade Case

With the recent challenge to the Texas law on abortion, I thought I would do a summary of Roe v Wade case. This iconic, and controversial case, deals with the Fourteenth Amendment, the right of privacy. This right of privacy goes up against the State's interest in protecting unborn children.

With the recent challenge to the Texas law on abortion, I thought I would do a summary of Roe v. Wade case. This iconic, and controversial case, deals with the Fourteenth Amendment, the right of privacy. This right of privacy goes up against the State’s interest in protecting unborn children. This case from 1973, so it’s not really a trending legal issue. But, you know, it IS still trending!

Read more

The Kyle Rittenhouse Trial: Wisconsin Gun Possession Law Explained

The Kyle Rittenhouse trial ended in an acquittal verdict for five of the seven charges that he faced in connection with shooting three men (killing two) during a protest against police brutality in Kenosha, Wisconsin, last year. But two of those charges were dropped by the judge before they went to the jury. Here, I will explain the Wisconsin gun possession law and why the judge dropped that charge. (I also explain Brian Laundrie's arrest warrant if you want more legal charges to be explained.)

The Kyle Rittenhouse trial ended in an acquittal verdict for five of the seven charges that he faced in connection with shooting three men (killing two) during a protest against police brutality in Kenosha, Wisconsin, last year. But two of those charges were dropped by the judge before they went to the jury. Here, I will explain the Wisconsin gun possession law and why the judge dropped that charge. (I also explain Brian Laundrie’s arrest warrant if you want more legal charges to be explained.)

Read more

Mistaken Identity by Lisa Scottoline Book Review

Today I am reviewing one of the novels on my best legal thrillers and courtroom drama list: Mistaken Identity by Lisa Scottoline. This book was one of the first legal thrillers that I read, and, unbeknownst to me, I thought that the protagonists of legal dramas were equally split between men and women. Not so. So, when I reread this book for the blawg, it was with a certain amount of happiness that a woman lawyer and author could break into the very male-dominated genre. 5 out of 5 stars.

Today I am reviewing one of the novels on my best legal thrillers and courtroom drama list: Mistaken Identity by Lisa Scottoline. This book was one of the first legal thrillers that I read, and, unbeknownst to me, I thought that the protagonists of legal dramas were equally split between men and women. Not so. So, when I reread this book for the blawg, it was with a certain amount of happiness that a woman lawyer and author could break into the very male-dominated genre. 5 out of 5 stars.

Read more

John Grisham’s A Time To Kill Book Review & Summary

Here is a legal (and book summary) review of John Grisham's A Time To Kill. This book is a classic legal thriller and made my list of top legal thriller novels. Overall, I found this book enjoyable with some implausible jury stuff. But, it is a good example of how an author can raise the stakes in a legal thriller without a lot of weird legal stuff. (Here's looking at you, Season 2 of Goliath.) I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.

Here is a legal (and book summary) review of John Grisham’s A Time To Kill. This book is a classic legal thriller and made my list of top legal thriller novels. Overall, I found this book enjoyable with some implausible jury stuff. But, it is a good example of how an author can raise the stakes in a legal thriller without a lot of weird legal stuff. (Here’s looking at you, Season 2 of Goliath.) I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.

Read more

The Gabby Petito Case Timeline and Cause of Death

Here is my trending legal topic of the Gabby Petito case timeline and cause of death. The Gabby Petito case has gained an intense social media attention. She and her fiance, Brian Laundrie, went on a cross-country trip. In short, Brian returned, but Gabby did not. Her remains were found 19 days after his return, and her cause of death was strangulation. He is now on the lam/missing. And under indictment for using Gabby's debit card after her death. This week, I am going to break down the chain of events in the Gabby Petito/Brian Laundrie case from the start of their #vanlife up to and including the Coroner's press release and finding Brian Laundrie's remains. Gabby Petito was on a road trip with boyfriend Brian Laundrie when she went missing. She was a travel influencer on Instagram, Youtube, and TikTok. The couple intended to take a four-month roadtrip #vanlife and post their adventures on various social media outlets. Here is a timeline of events: The Gabby Petito Case Timeline July 2, 2020 One year prior to their road trip, Gabby Petito announced on her Instagram page that she was engaged to Brian Laundrie. December 11, 2020 Laundrie announced on his Instagram that the couple purchased their white van. "Garden on wheels! New Van means new adventures" July 2, 2021 The couple departed from their Blue Point, NY home. They were there to celebrate her younger brother graduating from school. They left in a converted white van that Laundrie posted on his Instagram page. They traveled from Florida to Kansas, Colorado, and Utah.  According to Gabby's Instagram timeline, the couple stopped in these locations: July 4, 2021: Monument Rock, Kansas July 8, 2021: Colorado Springs, Colorado July 10, 2021: Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, Colorado July 16, 2021: Zion National Park, Utah July 21, 2021: Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah July 26, 2021: Mystic Hot Springs, Utah July 29, 2021: Canyonlands National Park, Utah August 12, 2021: Arches National Park, Utah August 12, 2021 The police in Moab, Utah, stopped Petito and Laundrie after a man named Christopher called 911 about a domestic problem that he witnessed outside of the Moonflower Community Cooperative (a natural food store). Christopher said that the couple was fighting over a phone, and he saw Petito slap Laundrie across the face. Petito then climbed through the van's window as if Laundrie had locked her out. The police report stated that Petito was “crying uncontrollably."  The report went on to state, “At no point in my investigation did Gabrielle stop crying, breathing heavily, or compose a sentence without needing to wipe away tears, wipe her nose, or rub her knees with her hands.” Apparently, Laundrie did not hit Petito, but he suffered from visible scratches on his arms, face, and neck. Neither wanted to press charges, and Laundrie was put up in a hotel by a domestic assault outreach group. See the body cam video of the incident. August 17-23, 2021 Brian flew home to Florida, purportedly to "obtain some items and empty and close the (couple's) storage unit to save money as they contemplated extending the road trip," according to the Laundrie family attorney Steven Bertolino. August 25, 2021 Gabby's last Instagram post was sent without a geotag location. August 27, 2021 A woman named Nina Celie Angelo took to her Instagram saying she witnessed Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie get into an explosive argument at the Merry Piglet restaurant in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The Blue-Collar Restaurant Group confirmed they believed Petito and Laundrie were at their Merry Piglet restaurant on that date. August 30, 2021 Gabby's mother, Nichole Schmidt, said that the last text message received from Gabby was on August 30, 2021. Schmidt "received an 'odd text' from Gabby," according the the North Port Police department warrant filed weeks later. "'Can you help Stan, I just keep getting his voicemails and missed calls.' The reference to 'Stan,' was regarding her grandfather, but per the mother, she never calls him 'Stan.' The mother was concerned that something was wrong with her daughter." September 1, 2021 Laundrie returned to the North Port home that the couple shared with his parents. He drove the van but without Gabby. September 11, 2021 Gabby's family reported her missing. September 15, 2021 Brian Laundrie is named a person of interest. He refused to speak to anyone regarding the incident. Bertolino issued a statement on Laundrie's behalf: "Many people are wondering why Mr. Laundrie would not make a statement or speak with law enforcement in the face of Ms. Petito's absence. In my experience, intimate partners are often the first person law enforcement focuses their attention on in cases like this, and the warning that 'any statement made will be used against you' is true, regardless of whether my client had anything to with Ms. Petito's disappearance. As such, on the advice of counsel, Mr. Laundrie is not speaking on the matter. I have been informed that the North Port, Florida, police have named Brian Laundrie as a 'person of interest' in this matter. This formality has not really changed the circumstances of Mr. Laundrie being the focus and attention of law enforcement, and Mr. Laundrie will continue to remain silent on the advice of counsel." September 16, 2021 Richard Stafford, the attorney for the Petito/Schmidt family, read aloud a letter to Laundrie's parents September 17, 2021 Cassie Laundrie, Brian Laundrie's sister, gave an exclusive interview. September 17, 2021 Laundrie's family announces that Brian is missing.  The family claimed they had not seen Brian since Tuesday. September 19, 2021 Gabby's remains were found in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming.   September 20, 2021 Laundrie's family home was searched under warrant. The police were searching for Brian's computer.  September 21, 2021 An autopsy confirmed that Gabby's death was a homicide. September 23, 2021 An arrest warrant was issued for Brian Laundrie, a person of interest in the disappearance and homicide of deceased Gabby Petito. The warrant was written "pursuant to a Federal Grand Jury indictment for violation of federal statute 18 U.S.C. § 1029(a)(i): ‘Use of Unauthorized Devices’ related to Mr. Laundrie's activities following the death of Gabrielle Petito." September 27, 2021 Laundrie's parents issued a statement that they hope the FBI can find their son, and they do not know where he is. They were cooperating in the manhunt to find Brian. September 28, 2021 Gabby Petito's family held a press conference. September 30, 2021 The FBI return to the Laundrie house.  Bertolino stated that the FBI were gathering "some personal items belonging to Brian that will assist the canines in their search for Brian." October 5, 2021 Schmidt wrote on Twitter, "Mama bear is getting angry. Turn yourself in!" Cassie also pleads for her brother to return home. "I would tell my brother to just come forward and get us out of this horrible mess." October 7, 2021 Bertolino released a statement: "Chris Laundrie is assisting Law Enforcement today in the search for Brian. Chris was asked to point out any favorite trails or spots that Brian may have used in the preserve. Although Chris and Roberta Laundrie provided this information verbally 3weeks ago it is now thought that on-site assistance may be better. The preserve has been closed to the public and the Laundries as well but the parents have been cooperating since the search began." October 12, 2021 Gabby's cause of death is strangulation. October 20, 2021 Brian's parents, the FBI, and local authorities found some items belonging to Brian off a trail that he frequented.  Investigators have recovered what appears to be human remains at a Florida preserve near a backpack and notebook belonging to Brian. October 21, 2021 Dental record confirm that the remains found were indeed Brian Laundrie. October 24, 2021 But how did he die? Autopsy was inconclusive. The Gabby Petito Foundation | What are your thoughts about the Gabby Petito Case Timeline and Cause of Death? Let me know in the comments! If you liked this article, I would appreciate it if you PIN the image: {{ pin }}

I wrote out the Gabby Petito case timeline and cause of death for those who are interested. The Gabby Petito case has gained an intense social media attention. This article is not a trending legal topic, but I found it so interesting as almost a live criminal case file. She and her fiance, Brian Laundrie, went on a cross-country trip. In short, Brian returned, but Gabby did not. Her remains were found 19 days after his return, and her cause of death was strangulation. He is now on the lam/missing. And under indictment for using Gabby’s debit card after her death.

This week, I am going to break down the chain of events in the Gabby Petito/Brian Laundrie case from the start of their #vanlife up to and including the Coroner’s press release and finding Brian Laundrie’s remains.

Read more

The Best Legal Drama TV Series [Top 10]

Here's my list of the 10 of the best legal drama TV series according to me. Arranged in order of what I think are the best to the least best. I'm sure that there are more out there!

Here’s my list of the 10 of the best legal drama TV series according to me. Arranged in order of what I think are the best to the least best. I’m sure that there are more out there! I’ll be doing upcoming posts about some of these shows. I tried to find shows that you could stream (rather than picking any that you had to buy a DVD).

Read more

Was Shadivia Phillips Found Guilty?

Was Shadivia Phillips found guilty? A while ago, I wrote an article about some real crimes that went viral. The Shadivia Keauslatyke Phillips case was one such crime after some bystanders recorded the altercation between her and the victim, over a parking spot. That post became popular for the Google search of whether or not she was found guilty, so I decided to answer that question.

Was Shadivia Phillips found guilty? A while ago, I wrote an article about some real crimes that went viral. The Shadivia Keauslatyke Phillips case was one such crime after some bystanders recorded the altercation between her and the victim, over a parking spot. That post became popular for the Google search of whether or not she was found guilty, so I decided to answer that question.

Read more

Goliath TV Show Review and Summary

Want the total scoop on the Goliath TV show? Prime's very own legal drama TV series Goliath starring Billy Bob Thornton as a very screwed up lawyer Billy McBride. He used to be the named partner of a powerful law firm along with the burned guy (Donald), who is the arch-nemesis and former partner. He is given this case, and it's to bring down the big bad Goliath. And so it continues in each season.

Want the total scoop on the Goliath TV show? Prime’s very own legal drama TV series Goliath starring Billy Bob Thornton as a very screwed up lawyer Billy McBride. He used to be the named partner of a powerful law firm along with the burned guy (Donald), who is the arch-nemesis and former partner. He is given this case, and it’s to bring down the big bad Goliath. And so it continues in each season.

Watch On Amazon Prime >

Read more

Summary and Review of Better Call Saul

This is my summary and review of Better Call Saul. Better Call Saul is freaking hilarious. It's the prequel to Breaking Bad about Saul Goodman (Bob Odenkirk), who becomes Walter White's lawyer. Breaking Bad is Freaking Great but not particularly funny. Saul sweetens this cake. Has a bunch of cameo appearances from Bryan Cranston (Walter White). You can't really take this series serious.

This is my summary and review of Better Call Saul. Better Call Saul is freaking hilarious. It’s the prequel to Breaking Bad about Saul Goodman (Bob Odenkirk), who becomes Walter White’s lawyer. Breaking Bad is Freaking Great but not particularly funny. Saul sweetens this cake. Has a bunch of cameo appearances from Bryan Cranston (Walter White). You can’t really take this series serious.

Watch On Netflix >

Read more

Summary and Review of the Good Wife

Here is my review and summary of the Good Wife starring starring Julianna Margulies as Alicia Florrick. II'm pretty sure that it's ripped directly from the headlines. The Good Wife stars Julianna Margulies (Alicia Florrick), the wife of the Cook County State's Attorney, Peter. He had a very public and embarrassing sex scandal. She went back to her previous career as an attorney. I vaguely remember that something similar happened in the news when this TV show came out. Three is a spin-off, The Good Fight. FYI, Florrick is good friends with Mariska Hargitay (Law & Order: SVU).

Here is my review and summary of the Good Wife starring starring Julianna Margulies as Alicia Florrick. II’m pretty sure that it’s ripped directly from the headlines. The Good Wife stars Julianna Margulies (Alicia Florrick), the wife of the Cook County State’s Attorney, Peter. He had a very public and embarrassing sex scandal. She went back to her previous career as an attorney. I vaguely remember that something similar happened in the news when this TV show came out. Three is a spin-off, The Good Fight. FYI, Florrick is good friends with Mariska Hargitay (Law & Order: SVU).

Watch On Paramount+ for Amazon Prime >

Read more

Summary and Review of Suits TV Show

Here is my review of Suits, starring the dynamic bro-team of Harvey Specter (Gabriel Macht) and Mike Ross (Patrick J. Adams). Harvey is a lawyer, and Mike pretends to be a lawyer. Mike is basically a loser scam artist, but a brilliant loser scam artist. Mike scams himself as an attorney for the law firm that Harvey is partner. By the way, Meghan Markle ... yeah, the Duchess of Sussex, the lady who married Prince Harry ... is also in this show. The show basically teaches you that lawyers are all scam artists, and cheating and lying get you ahead.

Here is my review of Suits, starring the dynamic bro-team of Harvey Specter (Gabriel Macht) and Mike Ross (Patrick J. Adams). Harvey is a lawyer, and Mike pretends to be a lawyer. Mike is basically a loser scam artist, but a brilliant loser scam artist. Mike scams himself as an attorney for the law firm that Harvey is partner. By the way, Meghan Markle … yeah, the Duchess of Sussex, the lady who married Prince Harry … is also in this show. The show basically teaches you that lawyers are all scam artists, and cheating and lying get you ahead.

Watch On Amazon Prime >

Read more