California State Assembly member Rob Bonta recently proposed new legislation requiring prosecutors recuse themselves from investigations into police shootings and misconduct if they have received campaign donations from the union representing the officer(s) involved. Currently, California’s elected district attorneys (DAs) may accept contributions and funding from law enforcement unions and associations. Many have often questioned…
Back in July, an officer from the Los Angeles Police Department filed a lawsuit against the city, accusing Mayor Eric Garcetti’s close advisor Rick Jacobs of sexually harassing him over a period of several years. The officer, Matthew Garza, was assigned to Garcetti’s security detail in 2013 and, according to his complaint, became a target…
Just four months after being charged with sexually assaulting four women, Hollywood producer David Guillod was arrested on October 28 in connection with another sexual assault in Sherman Oaks, California. According to the Los Angeles Police Department, a Jane Doe reported being raped by Guillod during an evening meeting on October 21, and he was…
Dave Ring provides legal insight to The Boston Globe An explosive front-page article in the Boston Globe claims that, according to a recently-filed lawsuit, the prestigious Portsmouth Abbey boarding school in Rhode Island failed to protect a young woman from sexual abuse from a teacher. The suit also claims school leaders provided the victim with…
The past year has seen a spate of police officer-involved shootings and wide public allegations of nationwide police misconduct. Discussion around accountability for law enforcement tends to come back to the issue of reforming or eliminating qualified immunity, a legal doctrine that often shields police officers from liability in lawsuits. In some cases, however, victims…
Many companies have a non-fraternization policy among coworkers. Part of the policy is intended to keep employees focused on work. If you’re not wasting company time getting sidetracked with business hour flirtations and long lunches, more gets done and more money gets made. Another reason has to do with romantic relationships between employees that sour…
If you have been sexually assaulted by prison staff or officials, you have a right to pursue both a criminal case to punish your abusers and a civil claim for the damages inflicted on you. The harmful psychological effects of rape can take years to move past, even with proper treatment. How big of a…
Prior to the pandemic, your kids typically spent 8 hours a day with other children and adults. Even now, whether your kids have landed back in classrooms for face to face learning or they’re getting their education remotely, they’re generally not under your strict supervision while sitting in front of their online classes. Their teachers…
The last few years have forced a reckoning in Hollywood. Harvey Weinstein and Bill Cosby have stood trial, and countless others – Kevin Spacey, Louis C.K., Matt Lauer, etc. – have been exposed for their years of abuse and sexual assault. Danny Masterson’s time may finally be at an end, too. He has been charged…
About 16 months ago, Kurt Reinhold was shot to death by a deputy from the O.C. Sheriff’s Homeless Outreach Team. On February 2, 2022, the Office of the District Attorney for Orange County issued a 10 page letter explaining why they would not be bringing charges against him. In the letter, the DA states that…