Jeanine's Journal

Mayor Richard Daley's Disappointing Thoughts on the Hudson Case

Chicago's Mayor Richard Daley expressed one of the most disappointing sentiments I have ever heard. An October 29, 2008 article on the Hudson family homicides in the Chicago Sun Times reads, "Daley expresses grief, says tragedy could not have been prevented." According to the article Mayor Daley said, "It happens. But this crime could NEVER have been prevented, unfortunately." (emphasis added). HOGWASH! (my emphasis)

Jennifer Hudson Case

Mention the term 'domestic violence' and one typically visualizes a man beating a woman -- his fist clenched and the woman cowering in fear. But it is often much worse than that. Some men do more than abuse. They kill who and what is most loved by their intended victim. I know. I started one of the first domestic violence units in the nation as a young prosecutor in 1978 when battered women were considered irrelevant, inconsequential and responsible for their own abuse.

Lindsay Lohan Has Another Bad Week

Lindsay Lohan had another bad week. She deserves it. Three men allege she held them hostage after she jumped into the driver's seat of their GMC Denali truck to chase an assistant who had just quit her employ. Lohan claims the men had a good time and the lawsuit is baseless.

Caylee Anthony, Casey Anthony and Spin

Spin. The word is so much a part of our daily lives that we sometimes don't even realize when it's happening. Advertisers convince us that we simply can't live without their products. Politicians convince us that things are better or worse than they really are. Spinning is relating a story in such a way as to influence public opinion in the desired way (Encarta World English Dictionary).

OJ Simpson is Guilty in Vegas

As I watched OJ Simpson's recent guilty verdict, I couldn't help but focus on his hands in handcuffs as he was led out of the courtroom, bail pending sentence denied, on his way to jail. He will presumably be sentenced for a very long time -- he faces a minimum of 15 years on the top count -- first degree kidnapping with use of a deadly weapon (although he could be eligible for parole in 5 on that count). He stands convicted of 12 serious crimes including robbery, conspiracy, burglary, assault, coercion and use of a deadly weapon. He could be sentenced to consecutive terms which means, one sentence after another for each of his twelve convictions. This would essentially amount to a life sentence.

Why Judges Take Kids Away

Sharon Stone recently lost custody of her eight-year-old son Roan to her ex-husband Phil Bronstein. Since this made news, many people have been asking me what went wrong and why a judge would take away Stone's parental rights.

Giving a father sole custody of a child is a very rare situation. Sometimes if the parents live far apart from each other, the judge simply has to make a decision regarding who should keep the child. But if one parent cannot provide a structured, stable, secure and consistent home life, there could be a few things going on.

Heather Locklear Arrested

As you may have heard, the California Highway Patrol arrested Heather Locklear last Saturday night, September 27 on suspicion of operating a motor vehicle under the influence of controlled substance.

In April 2008 Locklear divorced her husband of 11 years, Richie Sambora, who was arrested for a DUI earlier this year. Ironically, Sambora avoided prosecution for endangering the welfare of a child even though his 10-year-old daughter was in the car. The police believed that Sambora was under the influence therefore, he was endangering the welfare of his child as well. How does one get into a car and drive while under the influence of alcohol and not be charged with endangering a minor in that same car? Any judge would question both parents parenting skills.

Alec Baldwin's New Book

I just did a TV interview on Alec Baldwin's new book. It matters not whether I am a fan of Alec's, what matters more is that I agree with the premise of his book (which I admit I haven't read yet).

All reports that I've read so far, which quote the book, reference his indictment and frustration with the family court system. "To be pulled into the American family law system is like being tied to the back of a pickup truck and dragged down a gravel road late at night. No one can hear your cries, and it's not over until they say it's over." The dramatization is a bit overdone, given my experience with true crime victims in the criminal justice system, but I must say I've been around litigants long enough to know the pain many of these litigants experience.