Peter K. Odom Criminal Law Blog on Lawyers.com

As an Atlanta sex crime attorney, I make weekly appearances on the Nancy Grace show, answering criminal law questions when Grace says "Let's unleash the lawyers." During these shows, I am one of the lawyers who try to help sort out complex legal issues on some of the top cases in the news.

We don't attempt to solve the case or make informal rulings - the legal system as a whole handles that process. However, I hope that my appearances help CNN audiences get a clearer view of the law from a criminal defense standpoint.

During a July 6 Nancy Grace show, we talked about some of the legal issues surrounding Michael Jackson's untimely death. discussed the legal confusion surrounding the death of Michael Jackson. L.A. police investigators still have not ruled out homicide, and when she unleashed the lawyers, she asked the opinion of this Atlanta rape defense attorney.

The L.A. Times reported that at least three search warrants have been executed by L.A. police, and reports have come to light that Jackson was using a drug called Diprivan to help him sleep. Apparently, Jackson was being cared for nearly around the clock to watch for the side effect of the drug, which can stop breathing.

Los Angeles Police chief William Bratton said Jackson's toxicology reports would help police decide whether to go forward with a possible homicide investigation or rule his death an accidental overdose.

During her July 6 show, Nancy Grace asked me whether the search warrants would be for a homicide or a probate investigation, and I definitely think it would be for a homicide investigation. They are looking at figuring out whether somebody administered a drug to him that killed him.

That would be felony murder, a death occurring during the commission of a dangerous felony. It could be illegal distribution of drugs. Interesting, though, this is not a controlled substance, Diprivan, under California law.

A caller asked whether any of Michael's close circle who knew of his use of drugs could be criminally charged as a result of doing nothing. I answered that generally, people aren't required to affirmatively act to prevent this kind of thing. As sad as it is, there's a moral responsibility there, but not a legal one.

Transcripts of the Nancy Grace show, on which I am a regular guest to help answer questions about criminal defense law, are available on the CNN Website.

Brought to you by the Atlanta sexual abuse attorneys of The Odom Law Firm, The Brookwood Exchange, 1708 Peachtree Street, Suite 115, Atlanta, GA 30309.