House of Cards Does Military Rape

Jamison KoehlerCurrent Events

Without giving anything away, the second season of the House of Cards has picked up on the issue du jour – military rape – and the writers are obviously basing their characters on real people.  It is not a stretch, for example, to conclude that the pretty California congresswoman named Jackie Sharp was inspired by the actual pretty California congresswoman …

The Walter Mitty of EPA

Jamison KoehlerCurrent Events

Former EPA employee John Beale told colleagues that he worked for the CIA, traveling to far-flung places like Pakistan.  In an email to his then supervisor, the current Administrator Gina McCarthy, he referred obliquely to his work for “this other agency” (perhaps she had seen something in the news?) and promised that he was still accessible by email.  But, he …

U.S. Capitol building

Unnatural Consequences: The Price of a Tweet

Jamison KoehlerCurrent Events, Social Media and Technology

Guest Post by Mary Anne Brush We can all agree that smart kids sometimes do stupid things. Studies show that the teenage brain is not fully developed, which leads to impulsive decision-making. And who doesn’t believe an important part of raising children with character is holding them accountable for their actions? I work at a school, where I often hear …

D.C. skyline

New Lawsuit Alleging Military Rape Filed in Federal Court

Jamison KoehlerAssault, Current Events

The Associated Press reported on the lawsuit filed yesterday in federal court in San Francisco alleging that current and former members of the U.S. military were sexually assaulted while serving: The 20 women and men filing the lawsuit claim they were harassed, raped or assaulted and suffered retaliation when they reported the incidents. The lawsuit names top Department of Defense …

Joseph Rakofsky’s Former Client Sentenced to 10 Years

Jamison KoehlerCurrent Events, D.C. Superior Court, Professional Responsibility/Ethics

After pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter, Dontrell Deaner has been sentenced to 10 years in prison, to be followed by 5 years of supervised probation. Remember Dontrell Deaner? Just over a year ago, his name was all over the Internet in connection with the Joseph Rakofsky fiasco. Rakofsky was the lawyer, a few years out of law school, who took …

D.C. skyline

Do Your Job, Mr. Prosecutor. And Turn Over the Evidence.

Jamison KoehlerCriminal Procedure, Current Events, Professional Responsibility/Ethics

The prosecutor has acknowledged that he should have turned over certain information to defense attorneys. That is what he says today. The case was back in 1984. Witnesses came forward when he was still preparing the case to say that there were two other men in the alley that night who were never charged.  One of these men, identified by …

D.C. skyline

Ignition Interlock To Be Required For All DUI-Restricted Licenses in Virginia

Jamison KoehlerCurrent Events, DUI and Driving Offenses

Beginning July 1, 2012, every person who is convicted of a drinking-and-driving offense in Virginia and who wants to drive on a restricted license will be required to install an ignition interlock device on his/her car.  Current law applies this requirement only to repeat offenders and to first-time offenders who are convicted of a blood alcohol level of 0.15 or …

D.C. skyline

U.S. Out Of Afghanistan. Now.

Jamison KoehlerCurrent Events

We are not going to win. We are not going to stabilize the country. We are not going to win any hearts and minds. The only thing we will accomplish by remaining in this miserable, strife-ridden country is to lose more American lives. At some point, maybe, we had an opportunity of doing something positive in Afghanistan. With the full …

U.S. Capitol Building

List for D.C. Juvenile Panel is Out

Jamison KoehlerCurrent Events, D.C. Superior Court

The list of lawyers approved to take on court appointments for juvenile cases is now out. D.C. Superior Court Chief Judge Lee Satterfield issued the order approving the list on February 27. The appointment is good for four years. The process began last summer when all members of the Panel were asked to re-apply. The Family Court Panel Oversight Committee, …

Aerial view of DC

On Sluts, Whores, and Rape in the Military

Jamison KoehlerCurrent Events

I found out about the press conference this morning when Susan asked me for feedback on the suit she was wearing. “How come nobody from the media ever talks about the good-looking and supportive husband?” I asked her. Craving attention almost as much as she eschews it, I was annoyed the last go-round when one of the media reports mentioned …