A looming 'Apprendi' tsunami? Experts predict acceleration of court sentencing reform
Article Abstract:
The likelihood of many appeals following the US Supreme Court's Apprendi v. New Jersey ruling, which shifted the sentencing power from judges to juries in drug possession cases where the amount of a drug can increase the sentence beyond the maximum allowed by law is discussed. .
Publication Name: The National Law Journal
Subject: Law
ISSN: 0162-7325
Year: 2001
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Eyewitness testimony comes under criticism; N.Y. high court oks experts' challenges to truth of perception
Article Abstract:
The widespread criticism of eyewitness testimony after the many wrongful convictions based on mistaken identity and studies showing easy manipulation of witness memory is discussed. Both state and federal courts have issued rulings on the issue
Publication Name: The National Law Journal
Subject: Law
ISSN: 0162-7325
Year: 2001
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Stunning rulings curtail prosecutors' power; testimony can't be bought; immunity's scope widened
Article Abstract:
Rulings handed down in 1998 by the 10th US Circuit Court of Appeals and by a federal district court went against prosecutors' long-held belief that they could offer lenient sentences in exchange for criminal accomplices' testimony and that they could use documents produced under immunity grants. In the 10th Circuit case, leniency was offered to a money launderer's accomplice in exchange for testimony against a principal defendant. U.S. v. Hubbell was dismissed from court, the judge concluding that Special Prosecutor Kenneth Starr's use of Hubbell's tax records without prior knowledge of any of the tax charges violated the defendant's Fifth Amendment rights.
Publication Name: The National Law Journal
Subject: Law
ISSN: 0162-7325
Year: 1998
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
- Abstracts: Four on the Fourth; high court gets several chances to elaborate on standards for searches and seizures. Projecting an image; court to decide if high-tech heat scan is a search under the Fourth
- Abstracts: Reaching out to rural communities; through grants and fellowships, pro bono efforts are moving beyond urban areas to help those clients in need of legal services
- Abstracts: Broken promises may bust budget; S&L's high court victory in 'Winstar' is cited by others to demand billions. Vet care case may have cost feds billions; career military say Uncle Sam broke free medical care promise
- Abstracts: Paths less traveled: The Circuit Court tours the Net's back alleys. Voice of the future
- Abstracts: Beefing up lawyer ethics, competence is main goal: critics challenge New York proposal to open up discipline process, force arbitration in fee disputes