The writing archive
TCF Dispatches
Longer explanations, courtroom observations, reading notes, and a durable record of what we think and why.
September 29, 2026
A Warning, Not an Instruction
All of this has happened before. But must it happen again?
August 27, 2026
The Power of Just Doing the Work
Instead of excuses, a young man facing probation violations proved to Judge McNally that he was willing to put in the work. He is a reminder that taking ownership of your mistakes is the path to a second chance.
August 26, 2026
The Ultimate Betrayal: When Greed Overpowers Family
A Texas woman is facing decades in prison after allegedly draining half a million dollars from her father's life savings to fund Vegas trips and a new car. It's a grim reminder that the deepest betrayals often come from family.
August 25, 2026
When the House is Burning, Look in the Mirror First
When Judge Boyd sentenced a man who threatened to set himself on fire after a bad breakup, she delivered a much-needed reality check about personal responsibility, and a reminder that you have to fix yourself before you can share your life with someone else.
August 24, 2026
Putting In The Work Required To Survive
Mr. Delaney had a substance abuse issue. Then he walked right up to death's door.
July 24, 2026
The Devastating Cost of Entitlement
Jonathan Williams was a trusted employee. But when he couldn’t get approved for a mortgage because of personal debt, he started skimming cash from the family owned business where he worked as a bookkeeper.
July 23, 2026
The Liquor Store Pre-Roll and the Danger of Our Own Excuses
We all have a mechanism inside our minds designed to protect our ego. It works overtime when we mess up, searching the room for someone or something else to take the blame. On yesterday’s live show, we saw that protective mechanism in full swing in Judge O’Donnell’s courtroom in Lake County. A man n
July 22, 2026
The "Clairvoyant" Excuse: Why We Need to Stop Lying to Ourselves
There was a case we covered Tuesday on TCF Live that perfectly encapsulates the lengths we’ll go to avoid taking responsibility for our own actions. We were watching Judge Stevens’ court down in Texas, and a young woman named Tierra Hill was up for a probation violation. She had tested positive for
July 21, 2026
The Price of Procrastination
When you watch court day after day, you start to see patterns. You see the same excuses, the same deflections, and the same absolute refusal to just handle business. In Judge McNally’s court on Monday, we saw a perfect example of what happens when you let procrastination dictate your life.
July 17, 2026
Life doesn't pause when you're hurting
In Judge Boyd’s courtroom yesterday morning, we saw a scenario that plays out all too often in the justice system, and honestly, in life.
July 16, 2026
When "it happens" isn't good enough
A Judge McNally case from 7/15/16
June 7, 2026
Those Who Can’t Do, Just Get Angry?
It used to be if you couldn't DO, you'd TEACH. I think we need to get back to that.
May 8, 2026
Alex Zanardi Showed Us How It’s Done
The gold standard example of getting hit and getting right back up.
April 25, 2026
I Updated My 2017 Essay on Gun Violence. Here’s What the 2026 Data Says
I went back in with fresh numbers and no preconceptions. The hype is still overblown. The real issue is cultural.
April 9, 2026
121 Reasons to Hate
A parole hearing moment that says more about the cost of hatred than the crime itself.