--- title: 2021 February url: https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2021-february --- # [2021 February](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2021-february "2021 February") [![Advocate Feb21 cvr ezine](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/images/issues/2021/02-february/Advocate-Feb21-cvr-ezine.jpg)](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/ezines/2021/February2021/html5/Advocate-Feb21-issue.html) Articles in this issue: ## [Biomechanics and 3D reconstruction in shooting cases](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2021-february/biomechanics-and-3d-reconstruction-in-shooting-cases "Biomechanics and 3D reconstruction in shooting cases") Ballistics and other physical evidence can answer the key questions of the most likely location and posture of individuals who were shot by police [Cole Young](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/cole-young "Cole Young") [John Gardiner, PhD PE](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/john-gardiner-phd-pe "John Gardiner, PhD PE") ## [We are here because of lies](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2021-february/we-are-here-because-of-lies "We are here because of lies") And where do we go from here? [Genie Harrison](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/genie-harrison "Genie Harrison") ## [Forging new traditions](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2021-february/forging-new-traditions "Forging new traditions") A thank you to all those who worked especially hard to make our new virtual reality work ## [Rising above it all](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2021-february/rising-above-it-all "Rising above it all") No matter how bad things got, there was always a voice in the wilderness making sure justice prevailed [Deborah S. Chang](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/deborah-s-chang "Deborah S. Chang") ## [The unimagined events of January 6](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2021-february/the-unimagined-events-of-january-6 "The unimagined events of January 6") How AAJ will move forward [Linda A. Lipsen](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/linda-a-lipsen "Linda A. Lipsen") ## [Looking to 2021](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2021-february/looking-to-2021 "Looking to 2021") Positive changes to CAALA are overdue and necessary [Stuart Zanville](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/stuart-zanville "Stuart Zanville") ## [Can California’s imperial and imperious county sheriffs be reined in?](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2021-february/can-california-s-imperial-and-imperious-county-sheriffs-be-reined-in "Can California’s imperial and imperious county sheriffs be reined in?") Once elected, they are often reelected until retirement, leading to abuse of office [Gary C. Williams](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/gary-c-williams "Gary C. Williams") ## [Appellate Reports](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2021-february/appellate-reports-37 "Appellate Reports") Court says a jury should hear claim of hostile work environment created by a customer [Jeffrey I. Ehrlich](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/jeffrey-i-ehrlich "Jeffrey I. Ehrlich") ## [The problem with policing in the United States](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2021-february/the-problem-with-policing-in-the-united-states "The problem with policing in the United States") Immunities for police are eating away at our constitutional rights [Julia Yoo](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/julia-yoo "Julia Yoo") ## [Denial of medical care to those in custody](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2021-february/denial-of-medical-care-to-those-in-custody "Denial of medical care to those in custody") Post-arrest and pre-trial claims against individual government officials under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 [Vicki Sarmiento](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/sarmiento "Vicki Sarmiento") ## [Getting your civil-rights case to trial](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2021-february/getting-your-civil-rights-case-to-trial "Getting your civil-rights case to trial") A look at the burdens of law and motion practice in civil-rights litigation [DeWitt Lacy](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/dewitt-lacy "DeWitt Lacy") ## [Resolving societal conflict with R.E.S.P.E.C.T.](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2021-february/resolving-societal-conflict-with-r-e-s-p-e-c-t "Resolving societal conflict with R.E.S.P.E.C.T.") When it comes to disputes centered around people’s fundamental rights, R.E.S.P.E.C.T. is imperative [Richard (“Rick”) Copeland](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/richard-rick-copeland "Richard (“Rick”) Copeland") ## [Assessment and evaluation of police-shooting cases](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2021-february/assessment-and-evaluation-of-police-shooting-cases "Assessment and evaluation of police-shooting cases") An investigation that goes beyond the police report is critical before you commit to taking the case – and commit to trying the case [Arnoldo Casillas](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/arnoldo-casillas "Arnoldo Casillas") ## [Confession of a black judge](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2021-february/confession-of-a-black-judge "Confession of a black judge") I get frustrated too [Rupert A. Byrdsong](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/rupert-a-byrdsong "Rupert A. Byrdsong") ## [It’s time to bring back the Bane Act](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2021-february/it-s-time-to-bring-back-the-bane-act "It’s time to bring back the Bane Act") This important California civil-rights law for contesting unlawful arrest or excessive force has been eviscerated by the courts [Michael Haddad](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/michael-haddad "Michael Haddad") ## [Securing the universe of documents in civil-rights actions](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2021-february/securing-the-universe-of-documents-in-civil-rights-actions "Securing the universe of documents in civil-rights actions") You are only as good a civil-rights practitioner as the discovery you compel. Yes, compel. [Denisse O. Gastélum](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/denisse-o-gastelum "Denisse O. Gastélum") ## [Exposing the myth that “federal courts are bad for plaintiffs”](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2021-february/exposing-the-myth-that-federal-courts-are-bad-for-plaintiffs "Exposing the myth that “federal courts are bad for plaintiffs”") Why I prefer to file my police-misconduct actions in federal court [Brian T. Dunn](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/brian-t-dunn "Brian T. Dunn") ## [On becoming a civil-rights trial lawyer](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2021-february/on-becoming-a-civil-rights-trial-lawyer "On becoming a civil-rights trial lawyer") Lessons from my father, and the path from PI law to criminal law to becoming a civil-rights lawyer [Dale K. Galipo](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/dale-k-galipo "Dale K. Galipo")