Blog
Notes on law, compliance, and the legal profession.
-
Dissociative Identity Disorder and Criminal Responsibility: Lessons from State v. Bianchi
Kenneth Bianchi, the Hillside Strangler, claimed an alternate personality committed his murders. Six court-appointed psychologists unanimously concluded he was faking. State v. Bianchi illustrates why a psychiatric diagnosis alone cannot establish legal insanity — and why credibility determines whether the defense survives.
-
The Lindbergh Kidnapping: How One Criminal Case Reshaped American Law
Few criminal cases have shaped American law as profoundly as the 1932 Lindbergh kidnapping. Explore how it expanded federal criminal jurisdiction, raised enduring due process questions, and continues to influence how courts balance media freedom against the right to a fair trial.
-
When Contracts Fall Apart: Understanding Enforceability Through Case Law
Contracts are binding, but enforceability depends on legal capacity, duress, clear language, and statutory compliance. Explore how courts decide which agreements hold up.
-
Blood, Deeds, and Due Diligence: What Dracula Teaches Modern Lawyers
Bram Stoker's Dracula is more than Gothic horror — it's a cautionary tale about client vetting, due diligence, and professional independence in international real estate transactions.
-
The Seatbelt Defense in Florida: How Passenger Negligence Reduces Damages
Learn how Florida's seatbelt defense works, when it applies, and how a passenger's failure to wear a seatbelt can significantly reduce the damages they recover in a car accident case.
-
Florida Premises Liability: Understanding Slip-and-Fall Claims
Explore the legal framework governing slip-and-fall accidents in Florida, including the duty of care, constructive knowledge, and when business owners can be held liable for customer injuries.
-
Legal Advertising: Ethical Boundaries and Professional Responsibilities in the Modern Age
Exploring ethical boundaries and professional responsibilities in legal advertising, from the landmark Bates v. State Bar of Arizona decision to modern digital marketing challenges.