Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Parental Criminal Liability
After school shooter Ethan Crumbly pleaded guilty to a mass shooting in Michigan and accepted a life sentence in prison, it didn’t take long for his parents to be charged and convicted of involuntary manslaughter—one count for each of the four students killed by their son. Crumley’s parents hadn’t been on the scene of… Read More »
Medical Bankruptcy
Healthcare costs can be crippling. In 2022, research shined the light on just how devastating medical debt can be, noting that two-thirds of all bankruptcies involved medical debt. That’s about 530,000 bankruptcy filings annually, all situations impacting normal, everyday families who just happened to have to deal with a catastrophic medical issue. And even… Read More »
Killing an Abuser Could Lead to Prison for Victims of Domestic Violence
It was 1984. When Ms. Ford told her brother, George, about her husband’s threats and abuse, the two discussed ways to get rid of the abuser, who’d dragged her through dog feces, squeezed her hand in order to break the glass she was holding and shredded her hand, punched and pulled her hair, and… Read More »
The Problem of Racial Profiling
We’ve all heard the claim that racial discrimination is a horrible piece of American history, but that it’s been quelled in modern America. Even so, there are more than a few people of color who beg to differ. Discrimination based on race, national origin, ethnicity, and religion, can be devastating in various frameworks, none… Read More »
Crypto and Bankruptcy
With cryptocurrencies all the rage these days, consumers may be dismayed to learn that, although their assets are protected from some dangers by using external wallets or crypto wallets, when it comes to a cryptocurrency platform going bankrupt, their crypto may be at risk. Did You Know? When it comes to crypto platforms, there… Read More »
Dispelling the Myths Around Domestic Violence
Even though millions suffer from domestic violence (DV) in this country, there are still pervasive misconceptions about it that confuse Americans. It’s time to dispel the myths so the realities can be properly addressed. Myth: Only women are the victims of DV. Fact: Though it’s not nearly as well documented as violence against women,… Read More »
Questions You Should Ask When Stopped by Police
You’ve been stopped by police in your car, on the corner block, or maybe you’re even being questioned at the police station. It’s the kind of situation that causes your blood pressure to rise, partly because you’re unsure of your rights. Here are some things you really should ask in any situation involving law… Read More »
Bankruptcy Discharge or Dismissal?
For individuals who want to reset their finances and get a fresh start, bankruptcy can be a great opportunity. But the process can be demanding, with a number of regulations that must be followed. If everything goes according to plan, debt can be discharged. If rules are ignored or broken, the case can be… Read More »
Bankruptcy Will End Creditor Harassment
You owe money, and creditors won’t let you forget it. The distress and humiliation you feel have become overwhelming. But did you know that, while creditors have every right to chase down money owed to them, they are not allowed to actually harass you. What Constitutes Harassment? Naturally, creditors may take reasonable actions to… Read More »
When Sibling Violence is Domestic Violence
When most people think of domestic violence, they think about violence between adults. But the fact of the matter is, sibling violence exists in many American homes, either alongside violent adult behavior, or all by itself. Either way, the outcomes can be horrendous. What it’s Not Kids do compete, disagree, and even fight. Healthy… Read More »