[View here as a Twitter thread] Chapter 1 (How Democracies Die) Warning signs. A politician: 1) rejects the democratic norms 2) denies the legitimacy of opponents (i.e. says they are criminals) 3) tolerates or encourages violence 4) is willing to curtail civil liberties, i.e. free press Chapter 2 The Electoral College was intended as …
A reading of How Democracies Die, by Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt Read More »
Current Biology is a peer-reviewed journal “widely valued among life scientist for its unique blend of important research papers and informed, lively commentary.” According to this Current Biology article, research via MRI scans revealed that self-described conservative students have a larger amygdala than liberals. The amygdala is an almond-shaped structure deep in the brain that …
From Current Biology: For Conservatives “the world is a frightening place.” Read More »
Every defense attorney is asked this question. (I suppose the same question could be asked, “Why do you sometimes write about unsavory people?) For thirteen years, I had a private appellate law practice dedicated to representing indigents appealing from adverse rulings. In other words, my clients had no money and were in big trouble. Mostly I …
“How can you defend people accused of heinous crimes?” Read More »
Q: Why did you write this book? I believe the law—as taught in law school— can be presented to young readers in all its complexity and ambiguity. Personally, I was never much interested in government or civics classes—until I went to law school, and I discovered how fascinating the material is. My hope is that …
Q & A about GUILTY? CRIME PUNISHMENT AND THE CHANGING FACE OF JUSTICE Read More »
Behind a purple and gold curtain on the stage of the school’s auditorium, Barbara Johns, 16, stood waiting. What she was about to do could put her–and her friends and family–in danger. But she felt no fear. The curtain rose. A gasp rippled across the room as hundreds of students. . . Continue reading here. share …
Included in Reaching the Bar, a collection of essays by women lawyers, published in 2009. I am an appellate defense attorney. I represent parents who have had their children removed by county child protection agencies. My practice is limited to indigents; I am appointed and paid by the courts. Many of my clients are uneducated, …
August 8, 2001 For several years I taught the fiction-writing workshop at the University of California, Davis extension. The number of lawyers who enrolled in my classes always surprised me. Often there were more lawyers than members of any other profession. I’m pleased to report that the lawyers, on the whole, were fine fiction writers, …
