Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Discharging Student Loans in Bankruptcy Just Got Easier
If the possibility of bankruptcy is in your future but you’re concerned because you’ve heard that your student loans are exempt from the process, there may be some good news for you. That’s because the federal government has made it easier for Americans who are burdened with crippling student debt to get out from… Read More »
When Do Judges Issue Gag Orders?
Free speech: the First Amendment guarantees this right in America. Even so, we know judges issuing gag orders in high-profile cases, plainly restricting the speech of individuals involved in both civil and/or criminal trials. How can both things be true? Why Gag Orders are Issued Typically judges issue gag orders—or non-dissemination orders—as a way… Read More »
Double Jeopardy
Double jeopardy: we’ve all heard about the Constitutional Amendment protecting people from enduring two criminal trials for the same offense, but many people likely do not understand the caveats to this important protection. The fact of the matter is, two separate trials could occur based on the same act under very specific circumstances. For… Read More »
When Domestic Violence Ends in Murder
To the families of domestic violence victims who lost their lives, the terror and misery of the abuse suffered will never be a distant memory. Instead, they will relive the moments of fear and anguish, asking themselves over and over again if there was something more they could have done to protect their loved… Read More »
Guns and Domestic Violence
Power and control: that’s what domestic violence (DV) is all about. When an intimate partner engages in intimidation, manipulation, emotional or physical harm, financial domination, or other methods of domineering, it is domestic violence. It occurs across all ages, socioeconomic groups, genders, races, gender identities, and ethnicities, and hurts individuals, families, and society at… Read More »
Should I File Individual or Joint Bankruptcy?
If you are married and suffocating under impossible debt, you may be considering filing for bankruptcy. It can be a complicated question with a number of sub-issues worth investigating before progressing too far. One such issue is whether you should file jointly with your spouse, file two separate bankruptcies, or have just one of… Read More »
Reverse Warrants
You’ve heard of a search warrant and an arrest warrant. But are you familiar with reverse warrants? If not, you should be, because they are used with regularity all over the country, and they can impact you in ways you’d never imagine. The fact of the matter is, these reverse warrants have eliminated the… Read More »
Your Bankruptcy Worries Addressed
Creditors are knocking down your door, and your only option is to file for bankruptcy. But the idea frightens you! It’s such a big step, and you have a number of serious concerns. You should know that the process, though certainly not pleasant, can make a huge difference in the amount of stress you… Read More »
A “Financial Pandemic”
While the pandemic may be behind us, the repercussions linger on. One of those problems that financial guru Suzi Orman portends is of a financial pandemic on the way, one that will take many Americans by surprise. The impact could be devastating on the financial well-being of those who are caught unprepared. Debt Although… Read More »
When Federal Officers use Deadly Force
There have been over 150 fatalities at the hands of federal officers—DEA, FBI, US Marshals, or ATF—in the past five years. Another 80 or so people were wounded. We know that these federal agencies are tasked with going after bad guys—but still—there are questions about the tactics they use and the results they get…. Read More »