Topic: Sixth Amendment

Four ways to relieve overcrowded prisons

America’s  addiction to incarceration as a curb on crime must end. The evidence is staggering. Prison overcrowding is ubiquitous and shows few signs of abating: Between 1970 and 2005, the nation’s inmate population grew by 700 percent.

In California, 54 prisoners may share a single toilet and 200 prisoners may live in a single gymnasium. As a result, the Supreme Court ruled in May 2011 that California prisons were in violation of the Eighth Amendment and its prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment. Here, attorney Arjun Sethi offers four solutions to improve the overcrowded US prison system.

Four ways to relieve overcrowded prisons

Finally, America is beginning to tackle overcrowded prisons, prompted by financially strapped states that can no longer afford them. The road to prison reform, and less crowding, includes revamping 'three strikes' laws, as in California, and limiting pre-trial detention.

Casey Anthony trial: Should jurors be allowed to smell the evidence?

A question in the Casey Anthony trial was whether the trunk of the defendant's car smelled of human decomposition. But on Thursday the judge ruled out any smell test in the jury room.

CSI meets Law & Order: Supreme Court rules lab techs must testify in court

The Supreme Court ruled Thursday that the practice of permitting substitutes to testify about forensic evidence violates defendants’ constitutional rights to confront their accusers.

Supreme Court rules dead man's accusations can be used at trial

The Supreme Court rules that statements given to authorities during an emergency may be introduced as evidence in a trial even if the source dies before the trial.

Supreme Court: Lawyers must advise immigrants of deportation threat

The US Supreme Court said that criminal defense lawyers are bound by the Constitution to let immigrant defendants who are not US citizens know when a guilty plea could lead to deportation.

Supreme Court rules jury selection must be open to the public

The Supreme Court justices ruled Tuesday, 7 to 2, that jury selection is included in a defendant's right to a public trial. 

Supreme Court says criminal defendants can challenge forensic experts

Minority justices warn that the guilty 'will go free on the most technical grounds.'

In Arizona, cameras that nab speeders record a murder, too

Controversy flares after shooting death of a worker inside a camera-equipped van.

Supreme Court lets stand death sentence after Bible reading

A death-row inmate claimed the jury foreman violated his fair-trial rights by reading out loud from Romans.

High court strengthens right to confront accusers

The case involved a California man who killed his ex-girlfriend after she complained to police.

High court: limits to defend oneself in court

Justices rule 7 to 2 that some defendants aren't competent enough to represent themselves.

A defendant's right to confront accusers: How far does it extend?

The Supreme Court's answer could affect some murder, domestic-abuse, and child-molestation cases.