Letter from the Editor, Volume XVI, Issue I

Dear Readers,

Thank you for your interest in The Criminal Law Practitioner. This Fall 2025 Issue marks the first in the 16th Volume of our publication. This journey has been one characterized by academic and professional curiosity, cross-discipline collaboration, and collective creativity. As always, I want to give a big shout out to our entire staff. Their hours of tireless dedication has made this experience rewarding and fulfilling for everyone on our Editorial Board, and I believe this commitment is reflected in the intriguing articles.

In “The Firearm that Isn’t: Silencers and the ‘Loud Bang Theory’ Thomas L. Chittum, III provides a chronology of the silencer through historical, legal, and constitutional lenses. This piece then analyzes the tool’s unique jurisprudence compared to similar equipment to fully understand the silencer’s place in the law. Mr. Chittum’s expertise shines through to create a truly engaging piece on this often-overlooked type of “Firearm”.

The next article, “Presumption of Credibility” analyzes the role of law enforcement credibility within the early stages of a criminal proceedings, that often rely heavily, if not solely, on officer testimony. This piece uses 4th amendment jurisprudence and an applied example of the Commonwealth of Virginia magistrate system to illustrate the function and effect of these presumptions. Finally, E. Bordelon provides strategies for judicial officials to evaluate these early testimonies with a more critical eye.

These pieces not only stand as unique, novel pieces of criminal legal scholarship, but also represent months of collaborative work between the Criminal Law Practitioner, its staff, and the faculty and staff of American University Washington College of Law. This experience truly is a labor of love, and I’d like to thank each member of this process for their support and dedication.

I hope this issue serves as a catalyst for meaningful, cutting-edge academic and legal discussion. My time as Editor-in-Chief has been rewarding, affirming, and informative. I hope this piece communicates the dedication, passion, and care that went in to getting it in your hands. As always, please contact us at clp@wcl.american.edu if you have any comments or questions.

Very Respectfully,

Davis Hayman

Editor-in-Chief