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People v. Nelson
The California Supreme Court in the case of People v. Nelson, (#S181611, 01/12/2012), https://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/opinions/documents/S181611.PDF, held the custodial written confession of the defendant, a 15 year old who was tried as an adult, was properly admitted at trial and, therefore, did not invalidate his conviction of the murder of a 72 year old woman and five first … Read More
Maples v. Thomas
The U.S. Supreme Court on January 18, 2012, in the case of MAPLES v. THOMAS, COMMISSIONER, ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, (Case #10-63)https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/11pdf/10-63.pdf, reversed the U.S. Court of Appeals, For The 11th Circuit. In the underlying trial for murder, the defendant was found guilty and sentenced to death by the Alabama Court. Thereafter, a world-renowned law firm, Sullivan and Cromwell, on … Read More
People v. Jones
In a nine to zero opinion entitled UNITED STATES v. JONES, No. 10-1259, the U.S. Supreme Court, on January 23, 2012, https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/11pdf/10-1259.pdf affirmed the U.S. Court of Appeals decision that reversed the U.S. District Court criminal conviction of drug trafficking and conspiracy charges. The Supreme Court confirmed the police conducted a search or seizure within … Read More
United States v. Alvarez
On February 22, 2012, the U.S. Supreme Court on a Writ of Certiorari heard oral arguments in the case of United States v. Alvarez, Case No.11-210. The question presented is whether the Federal law that makes it a crime to falsely represent oneself to have received the Congressional Medal of Honor is a violation of … Read More
Miller v. Alabama
On March 20, 2012, the U.S. Supreme Court in Miller v. Alabama, Case # 10-9646, will decide whether a juvenile who commits a homicide and is sentenced to life in prison without parole constitutes cruel and unusual punishment and, therefore, a violation of the 8th and 14th Amendments to the United States Constitution. Miller was 14 years … Read More
MISSOURI v. FRYE
The U.S. Supreme Court on March 21, 2012, in the case of MISSOURI v. FRYE, (Case #10-444) https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/11pdf/10-444.pdf, vacated the Decision of the Missouri Court of Appeals, holding the right to effective assistance of counsel guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment of the U.S Constitution extends to all critical stages of a criminal case including but not limited to plea offers … Read More
Should California Cut Drug Possession Penalties to Cut Costs?
California lawmaker Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) has proposed a radical solution to overcrowding in the state’s many prisons and a corrections budget that has skyrocketed in recent years: cut the penalties for simple drug possession from a felony to a misdemeanor. Vocal Speakers on Both Sides of the Debate This move has some – like … Read More
No constitutional right to jigsaw puzzle in jail, judge says
Regardless of the circumstances surrounding an alleged criminal offense and its resulting trial and conviction, beginning a jail sentence is rarely an easy transition. As such, it can be comforting for defendants to have certain personal belongings in prison with them. But as a federal judge recently made clear, inmates have no constitutional right to … Read More
San Diego crime rate hits 30-year low
The crime rate in San Diego County has fallen to its lowest number in 30 years, according to a new report from the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG). This reportedly places San Diego third on a list of safest large cities in the U.S., which is determined based on the number of violent and … Read More