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The Criminalist and the Coerced Plea

May 27, 2026June 7, 2026 - by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

Former criminalist Rhonda Reyna once testified for prosecutors in homicide cases. Years later, she says the same justice system ignored exculpatory evidence, pushed her into a no contest plea, and helped separate her from her daughter. Part one of Riptide’s investigation into California’s broken public defense system.

California’s Family Courts Are Legal Abuse Factories

September 9, 2025September 8, 2025 - by Michael Phillips - 2 Comments.

A protective mother fled Los Angeles to the San Diego area for safety and survival, only to be hunted down by law enforcement acting on the orders of the LA County DA. Now she sits in jail on half a million dollars bail, accused of “kidnapping” her own children. Her children are locked in foster detention, separated and traumatized. This is not justice—it is legal abuse, a California family court system run like a circus of lawless clowns in robes and badges.

Two Schools. Two Kids. No Court Order. Why I’m Investigating a Disturbing Attempted Child Removal in San Marcos.

May 16, 2025 - by Michael Phillips - 1 Comment

On May 1, 2025, officials from various agencies attempted to remove Giselle Smiel’s children from school without legal authorization or notification. Despite no court order and no emergencies declared, this incident highlights serious violations of parental rights and due process. An investigation has been launched to uncover the circumstances behind this alarming event.