معرفی
Michal Buchhandler-Raphael is an Associate Professor of Law at Widener University Commonwealth Law School since 2020. She previously served as Visiting Assistant Professor at Washington and Lee School of Law (2020), focusing on Criminal Law, Family Law, and seminars on Criminal Regulation of Vice and Freedom of Speech. Her academic background includes an SJD and LLM from the University of Virginia, and LLB/LLM from Hebrew University in Jerusalem (cum laude).
Her research emphasizes gender-based violence intersections with criminal law, particularly domestic abuse, sex crimes, and systemic inequities in over/under-enforcement. Key themes include emotions in criminal justice (anger, fear, compassion), carceral/non-carceral policy alternatives, and victim-perpetrator dynamics. Notable works include proposals for 'Survival Homicide' legal frameworks and critiques of domestic violence overmedicalization.
Pre-legal career: 9 years as Legal Counsel in Israel National Police, drafting policies and liaising with Attorney General's office. Active military service in Israeli Defense Forces' Intelligence Directorate. Active media commentator on criminal law issues, quoted in USA Today and CBS4 Minnesota.
Teaching focuses on Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, Evidence, and Family Law. Advocates for diversity and inclusivity in legal education. Current scholarship explores compassionate undercharging, child custody legal moralism, and police minimalism in domestic violence responses.
