Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Pro Athletes Play in Spite of Domestic Violence
Although most people would say that it’s important to hold perpetrators of domestic violence (DV) accountable for their actions, there is some disagreement as to what that means in practice. In the world of professional sports, does it mean an abuser’s actions will be tolerated so that their participation in their sport is unaffected?… Read More »
Making Ch. 7 Bankruptcy Decisions that Work for You
While it’s certainly true that no one really wants to file bankruptcy, the hard truth is that sometimes it’s necessary. If you find yourself considering such a move, it’s helpful to be cognizant of some of the decisions coming your way and the things you can do to make it easier on yourself, or… Read More »
The Price of Mandatory Minimum Sentences
Like many states, Florida has mandatory minimum sentences attached to many criminal charges. Created as a way to deter crime, the result has had a number of unintended consequences. Crimes that Come with Mandatory Sentences Certain crimes do have mandatory sentences attached to them, including: Capital crimes; Crimes in which a firearm was used… Read More »
Police and Domestic Violence: When the Offender and Protector are the Same Person
Domestic violence is a crime that terrorizes victims and their families every single day. It can be emotional taunting and dehumanizing; physical abuse like hitting, kicking, choking, and biting; sexual violence; financial controlling; threats and harming of pets; and more. So when victims of this kind of abuse seek protection from law enforcement, they… Read More »
Chapter 11 Bankruptcies on the Rise
While money managers expected a surge in Chapter 11 filings during the pandemic years, that swell didn’t arrive until this year. When looking at the trends associated with the uptick make this wave somewhat unique. What’s Driving the Bankruptcies? An examination of the first-day declarations—or the affidavits explaining the business, structural components, and events… Read More »
Addressing Teens Who Commit Serious Crimes
Crime and punishment have pushed society for remedies for as long as we can remember. We have a criminal justice system, but often struggle with the meaning of the word justice. The concept becomes even more difficult when juvenile offenders are involved. Unfortunately, it’s a quandary that seems to be growing in scope. Juvenile… Read More »
Retail Theft During the Holidays
Here come the holidays, and with them, a loss to retailers to the tune of billions. It’s the busiest shopping period of the year, which means it’s also the prime time for shoplifters to hit the stores, with over 80 percent of all retail theft occurring during the holidays. In just the month between… Read More »
Making Domestic Violence a Public Health Priority
When most people think about domestic violence (DV), they may imagine something that happens in far away places, dark and isolated. It impacts just a minority of people, all of whom are part of a different world that is elsewhere. But the truth is that domestic violence reaches its tentacles into many aspects of… Read More »
Is Bankruptcy in Your Future?
Financial stability: it’s something more and more people are finding elusive these days. Sometimes it feels like no matter how hard you work or what cuts you make, you just can’t seem to get your financial footing. It’s exhausting mentally, and is taking a toll in other areas of your life. How do you… Read More »
Should You Turn State’s Evidence?
If you are facing serious criminal charges, there may be a way to make a deal with the prosecutor by providing information about a bigger fish related to the criminal activity of which you are accused. This is more formally referred to as turning state’s evidence. What could that mean for you? Federal Mandates … Read More »