Connell Foley LLP’s Post

"Is the Burden of Proof Too High for Dowry Victims, or Are We Upholding 'Innocent Until Proven Guilty'?" raises a critical legal and ethical debate. It questions whether the legal standards in dowry-related cases (such as requiring strong evidence of harassment related to dowry) make it too difficult for victims to prove their case. On the other hand, it also acknowledges the importance of the legal principle that the accused should not be punished unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. In essence, it points to a dilemma: Are victims of dowry harassment struggling to meet a high burden of proof in a system that may inherently favor the accused? Or is the legal system correctly ensuring that no one is unjustly punished, upholding the principle that everyone is innocent until proven guilty? This debate highlights the challenges in balancing victim protection with safeguarding the rights of the accused.

Today's the day! I'm hoping over the next 18 months to spark an important conversation about what is happening in the criminal justice system. Most notably, I want to talk about how we have lost our way with sexual assault trials. In an effort to get "better" outcomes, we have created a monstrosity that is slowly strangling the system as a whole. I will explain how this happened, and try to demonstrate evidence for this core hypothesis. In a follow up talk in 2025, I will begin proposing ways out of the quagmire. Nonetheless, the key to solving a crisis - and this is a crisis - is acknowledging that a crisis exists. Join me to learn more! https://lnkd.in/dWe3nCsi

Coming next month! The full spectrum within the criminal justice system. One on one discussions regarding real cases, with first hand participants, and updated outcomes. No political analysis and no unqualified experts. Many contributors with 25-50 years involvement in the process. A learning experience,how the challenges are faced with positive and negative consequences. More to follow.

This comprehensive program highlights not only legal compliance but practical solutions for implementation and meaningful change. Don’t miss the practical interactive workshops on investigating allegations of racism, systemic racism and bias in the workplace, the duty to accommodate and identifying and overcoming resistance. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3HAd9uY #EDI #humanresources

From Dr. Andreea Gruev-Vintila's book Coercive Controle, 2023 “If, as is often the case, traumatic memory hinders victims in the construction of a story understandable to third parties, that of the aggressor, through its congruence with traditional representations, resonates and obscures the extent of the control and coercion that he exercises.” 1 Children also cannot keep their clear minds while living in the home of the aggressor. After time they begin to take in the new history, even as they are being taught suppressive behavior which initiates the beginning of inability to cope. Murderous rages where they could once retreat to a bedroom while their mother remained in the room with their father, or lying on a couch under a blanket, they are now the targets, not the new partner. ‘comme prises en otage’ like taken hostages2 ‘survecu par foir l'inimaginable’ surviving the unimaginable.3 Coercive control is a secret weapon of opportunity using the home and children’s lives. It is imperative to use explicit words and facts so society responds to the criminal act. Teenagers are used in this way. Children are used as hostages against the mother by reversing custody so that their individuation atrophies. The question, according to GUEV-Ventila is not why didn’t she leave. It is how did he prevent her? Like an organized crime, lawyers are hired as third parties. Entitlement between judges and men, a common resource. Finally, for me ‘Il met en évidence le contrôle coercitif comme précursor majeur de la quasi-totalité de femicide.’4 “It highlights coercive control as a major precursor to almost all femicide.” 1,2,3,4 GRUEV-Vintila, le Coercitif Contôle, published by DUNOD

🚨 Have you noticed temporary Drug-Free Zone (DFZ) signs around D.C.? These zones come with harsher legal penalties, and they could worsen racial disparities in the city. 🎥 In this video, we’ll break it down: 🔹 What are temporary and permanent DFZs? 🔹 Where are they being established? 🔹 Who is most likely to feel the effects? 📖 For more info, check out page 12 of our report “Is D.C. More Secure? A Criminal Legal System Overview”: https://lnkd.in/eJjV5yYF 

This is an incredibly impactful visual and newsletter by Callisto. Women would rather be alone and confronted by a bear than be alone with a man in the woods. Why? Because... If I was attacked by a bear, at least people would believe me. If I survived a bear attack, no one would ask what I was wearing. If I ignored the bear, it would be less likely (instead of more likely) to attack me. The bear wouldn’t pretend to be something it wasn’t. Women are conditioned to constantly anticipate and attempt to avoid violence…while simultaneously being told their fear of being harmed is irrational. And while a bear that mauls someone is likely to be hunted or killed on the spot, a man who has repeatedly perpetrated harm is most likely to be roaming around (in the woods or elsewhere)… having faced no accountability, whatsoever. #endgbv #strongertogether #tech2good #socialinnovation #increasereporting #hearmetoo #genderbasedviolence #girls #women #change4good #vaw #awareness #reportingapp #changeforgood #reportingGBV #socialpurpose #socialimpact #socialentrepreneurs #peopleforpurpose #business4good #impactleaders #socialenterprise #socialchange #socialsustainability #scalingimpact #forpurpose #socialequity #people4good #SocEnt #SocialEntrepreneur #ChangeTheGame #Switch2Good #SocialEntrepreneurship #ForPurpose #SocialBusiness #Changemakers

The 2024 ABA White Collar Crime Conference in San Francisco proved a big stage for a large DoJ team, including the Attorney General, to announce a number of significant prosecution initiatives and policies to, among other things: (1) protect U.S. intellectual property from threats by foreign adversaries; (2) incentivize "whistleblowers" and companies to self-report; and (3) serve notice on those who would use AI to commit or facilitate crimes that the government will be coming after them. My great San Francisco colleagues, Jess Nall, Maria Piontkovska and I provide a wrap up on the major DoJ announcements and offer key takeaways for practitioners. We hope you will find this both interesting and useful!

#CriminalJusticeMinute Criminal justice isn’t just about laws and enforcement. It's driven by criminological theory. 🧠📚 These theories help explain why or how certain factors relate to criminal behavior. Without understanding them, we risk creating policies that fail and intruding in people's lives for no good reason. At the heart of it all is the scientific method, which guides us to develop theories based on evidence, not just assumptions. Why do you think it’s important to understand the "why" behind crime? 🤔 #CRJ101 #MoraineValleyCRJ

Short term rentals are being used by traffickers! I had two recent investigations involving traffickers that rented homes and were exploiting victims out of them. It is a reality that traffickers rent short-term rentals as they follow large events where sex buyers are attending! I am sharing awareness about this and educating short-term rental owners and businesses so that they can recognize trafficking happening and respond. Contact me if you’re organization is interested in Human Trafficking awareness training. #shorttermrentals #airbnb #vrbo #homeaway #vacationrentals #realestate #realestateagency #propertymanagement #humantraffickingprevention #humantraffickingawareness