Second Amendment is About Self-Defense...against tyranny or foreign invaders.

What the Second Amendment really is about is insurance.  It is the most valuable insurance clause on the planet. It says that if you attempt to invade us, you will you have a big problem with an armed citizenry.  Take a look at the historical example with Japan and their likely fears of what would happen if they invaded the mainland of the United States (assuming they could ever had overcome the logistical and troop number problems).

Our troops in Okinawa, Japan on the eve of a main island invasion had to worry too but about a different armed citizenry.  The emperor was telling his subjects that they would be killed by the American invaders and to use pitchforks, shovels or whatever they had to defend themselves. Previously, before they were backed into the corner of what was remaining of their empire, the Japanese military knew better than to invade the west coast.  They would have had to worry about firearms hidden behind every door. America’s love, obsession, respect, or fetishism with firearms is a great warning sign to any potential invaders: Have gun, will travel….so you shouldn’t.

The self-defense concept within the Second Amendment also applies to our own government. It is an insurance policy making martial law or tyranny very unlikely. Of course, an armed militia of citizens can also lead to tyranny of the majority or mob rule, so we have a very delicate balance.  

Choice Overload: Why judges make the easy decision when tired and hungry

It turns out that judges make decisions just like everyone else. Just after a lunch or snack break, judges were less likely to make the "default decision." The longer they go and the more fatigued they get, the more likely they will make the easier decision. This Discovery Magazine article discusses the research.

DUII Arrests May Soon Be Expungible

Current law does not allow traffic arrests to be expunged like other crimes. However, a new bill that just passed the Oregon House may change that. This will protect those clients who were wrongfully arrested when no charges were filed, the case was dismissed, or a jury acquitted them at trial.

Under current law, the arrest shows up on a driving record and has hampered many people from jobs where driving is a requirement.

The Albany Democrat Herald reports: Law to Clear False DUIIs Advances

by C. Michael Arnold, Attorney at Law,
Eugene, Oregon Arnold Law Office, LLC

Crime labs need major reform: independence from law enforcement recommended

The real world certainly doesn't work like the CSI TV franchise. Underfunding and missed deadlines may cause sloppy work. Victims and defendants both suffer. It turns out that crime lab workers are just like everyone else. It's no surprise that overworked and underpaid workers beings at the crime labs may cut corners like underpaid and overworked workers in other fields. They aren't immune. Check out this article calling for reforms.