Diane Dimond
Diane Dimond's New Site
An Award Winning Series on Guardianship
My investigative research has uncovered a major flaw in America’s court system. It has to do with how overburdened and underfunded courts deal with family disputes over what to do with an elderly Mom or Dad. A growing number of families, nationwide, have learned that once a family member turns to the courts for help their parent could be placed under an odious elder guardianship situation managed by total stranger. Families caught up in this system say it turned their aging parent’s final years into a nightmare. These are my findings about the system in one state.
Who guards the guardians? - A five part series by Diane Dimond
(This is a five-part Albuquerque Journal series was awarded the Institute for American Studies prestigious Clark Mollenhoff Award for Outstanding Investigative Journalism. Please read the sidebar stories in the left hand column under: More Info.)
My Latest Book Has Landed!
Check out the cool trailer for my latest book. Just click in the box above.
Thinking Outside The Crime and Justice Box is a compilation of some of my favorite and most thought provoking columns – with updates and new text. The book discusses today’s headline crime cases as well as crime and justice issues readers may not realize even existed. Compelling human stories at the core of crime are often the centerpiece of my columns and reading about stranger’s struggles can help readers better understand the dynamics surrounding crime, law enforcement and justice. Look, there is good and evil in the world and I figure it is my job to point it out.
The e-book is available right now – here. The hold-in-your-hand book is coming soon! Thanks to the kind folks at Creators Publishing.
Latest Syndicated Column
With Summer Swelter, Prison Inmates Have Nowhere to Go
I received an unusual letter from Arizona recently. It was written by an inmate held at the Lewis prison complex in Buckeye, Arizona and signed by 39 other prisoners. Their complaint? That life inside the Buckley unit there is like living in hell.
This summer’s record breaking heat there has them “baking in their cells,” according to inmate Robert Navarro. He says the temperature inside his corner cell – where the relentless sun beats down on his walls all day — was recently been recorded as high as 112 degrees.
Summertime Turns Cars in to Death Traps
Why does this keep happening? Surely, people know by now how dangerous it is to leave a child in the car in the summer time! It is deadly dangerous yet it keeps happening year after year. It makes my heart hurt.
Consider this my annual reminder to never – ever – leave a child alone in an enclosed vehicle, no matter the time of year.
O.J. Simpson Must Think We’re Stupid
I’ve covered all things O.J. Simpson since 1995. Here’s my forecast on his future ~
Allow me to go out on a limb here to predict O.J. Simpson has not had his last tango with law enforcement.
Yes, he recently got a Nevada parole board to approve his release from prison on or about October first. But after serving nine years for kidnapping and armed robbery I got the impression Simpson really doesn’t think he did anything wrong back in 2007.
End the Statute of Limitations on Sex Crimes Against Children
Former Speaker of the House, Dennis Hastert, cut a pitiful figure this week as he left a federal prison in Minnesota and his wheelchair stuck on a bump in the sidewalk. His wife, fumbling at his side trying to manage his aluminum walker and other items wasn’t immediately able to help him over the hurdle. The just released prisoner was momentarily stuck. Pathetic for a man who was once second in line to the presidency of the United States.
I didn’t feel sorry for him one bit. Hastert is one of the worst kind of criminals in my book. He robbed children of their innocence and damaged their futures forever.
Hit the High Seas on Vacation But Be Careful
Summer time. Vacation Time. But no time to let your guard down. Traditionally, crime goes up during warmer weather with property crimes and aggravated assaults on the rise. In some locations murder rates increase too. When temperatures get hotter there are more windows left open, more sweaty and irritated people seeking relief outside and more alcoholic beverages consumed in public – all of which can prompt bad behavior.
So maybe you and your family have decided to take an ocean cruise to get away from it all this summer? Well, beware because there is crime on the high seas too, sometimes violent crimes.
The Psychopath or Sociopath Next Door
Upon passing two people in the street the other day I heard one say, “I don’t know what’s wrong with him. He’s a psychopath or a sociopath – or both!”
I’m no expert but from what I’ve learned studying crime and personality disorders I don’t think one person can have both of those qualities. So, how can you tell if that certain someone in your life is just annoying or has a diagnosable condition? Here’s a quick primer.
Popular Posts
I received an unusual letter from Arizona recently. It was written by an inmate held ...
Why does this keep happening? Surely, people know by now how dangerous it is to ...
I’ve covered all things O.J. Simpson since 1995. Here’s my forecast on his future ...
Former Speaker of the House, Dennis Hastert, cut a pitiful figure this week as he ...
