Racial bias and jury decision-making is fraught with many unanswered questions. We know it exists but too what extent remains a vast unknown. Most studies focus on the issue of race in the jury selection process or the influence a…
Author: John Floyd
2017
Category: Indecency With A Child | Sex Crimes | Sexual Abuse
In an August 15, 2012 post, we pointed out that “common law has long recognized the fundamental principle that an accused is entitled to be tried solely on the criminal charge leveled against him by the State; that he should…
2017
President Donald Trump made a lot of promises during his successful campaign to become President of the United States – two of which were to “drain the swamp” (clean up official corruption) and to crack down on illegal immigration.
…
2017
At a campaign rally in Springfield, Ohio on October 27, 2016, President Donald Trump charged that “thousands of Americans have been killed by illegal immigrants.”
During his joint address to Congress on March 10, President Trump took another opportunity…
2017
Category: Homicide/Murder
A decision to plead guilty is a difficult one, especially when a criminal defendant is facing a life sentence without the possibility of parole. In 1927, the U.S. Supreme Court in Kercheval v. United States said that “a plea of…
2017
Category: Criminal Justice Reform | Drug Crime
“Guilty” does not always mean actual guilt, especially in drug cases involving African-American defendants who elect to plead guilty in the Harris County Criminal Justice Center.
African Americans 5 Times as Likely to be Wrongfully Convicted
A March…
2017
Category: Appeals | Criminal Law | Sex Crimes
The law is as much about procedure as it is about substance. Even the most seasoned criminal defense attorney can default on a critical issue by not following the strict rules of trial procedure. This issue was underscored in a…
2017
Category: Appeals | Capital Crimes
Defending a capital murder case is both difficult and stressful. Attorney/client communications, pretrial investigation and preparation, and presenting a plausible defense to the jury demand effective representation. The Constitution guarantees all criminal defendants the right to counsel and due process…
2017
Category: Federal Criminal Law | Fraud
Attorneys General have been known to lie. Last August former Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane was convicted of lying to a state grand jury. As we reported last year, Kane’s downfall was tied to a web of political corruption that…
2017
Category: Appeals | Drug Crime | Federal Criminal Law
Vehicle traffic stops that lead to drug seizures pose a continuing problem for the courts to deal with. This is especially so in speeding cases.
Law enforcement stopping drivers of speeding vehicles has increasingly resulted in seizures of marijuana,…