Nix v. Williams

Following is the case brief for Nix v. Williams, 467 U.S. 431 (1984) Case Summary of Nix v. Williams: Williams was convicted of murder.  The U.S. Supreme Court reversed the conviction (in Brewer v. Williams) because police elicited from him the location of the victim’s body in violation of his Sixth Amendment rights. Williams was tried and convicted a second time.  The […]

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Cohens v. Virginia

Following is the case brief for Cohens v. Virginia, 19 U.S. 264 (1821). Case Summary of Cohens v. Virginia: The Cohens sold tickets for a D.C. lottery in Virginia.  Virginia had a law prohibiting the sale of out-of-state lottery tickets. The Cohens were convicted and fined $100 for the violation.  They appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.  The State of Virginia moved […]

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Roper v. Simmons

Following is the case brief for Roper v. Simmons, 543 U.S. 551 (2005). Case Summary of Roper v. Simmons: Simmons, age 17, planned and committed a capital murder.  He was sentenced to death.  His direct appeal and petitions for relief were rejected. When the Supreme Court decided Atkins v. Virginia in 2002 (barring executions for the mentally disabled), Simmons filed a new […]

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