The Law Dictionary for Everyone
Following is the case brief for Palko v. Connecticut, 302 U.S. 319 (1937) Case Summary of Palko v. Connecticut: The defendant was indicted on first-degree murder, but was ultimately convicted of second-degree murder by a jury. The State of Connecticut appealed that conviction. On appeal, a new trial was ordered. At the second trial, the jury convicted defendant of first-degree […]
Read moreFollowing 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 […]
Read moreA true bill is a written decision, handed down by a grand jury, that the evidence presented by the prosecution is sufficient to believe that the accused person likely committed the crime, and should be indicted. The words “true bill” are endorsed on the bill of indictment, which is then signed by the grand jury foreperson, indicating that there is […]
Read moreFollowing is the case brief for California v. Acevedo, Supreme Court of the United States, (1991). Case summary for California v. Acevedo: Acevedo was spotted carry a bag out of a house that was under police surveillance. Officers had probable cause to believe the bag, which Acevedo placed in his trunk, contained contraband. Officers then pulled over Acevedo, recovering the […]
Read moreFollowing is the case brief for Montejo v. Louisiana, 556 U.S. 778 (2009) Case Summary of Montejo v. Louisiana: Montejo was automatically provided an attorney at his first court proceeding in connection with a murder. Police subsequently asked Montejo to assist in finding the murder weapon. During the excursion, he wrote a letter of apology to the murder victim’s wife. Montejo […]
Read moreVehicular manslaughter is also known as vehicular homicide. Both terms refer to a crime involving the death of a person other than the driver, as the result of either the negligent or intentionally malicious operation of a vehicle. Vehicular manslaughter is more often used to describe cases of criminal negligence, whereas vehicular homicide can be used more generally to mean […]
Read moreFollowing is the case brief for Batson v. Kentucky, Supreme Court of the United States, (1986) Case summary for Batson v. Kentucky: Batson, an African American was charged with burglary and receiving stolen property. The state used all their peremptory challenges to keep African Americans off the jury. Batson was convicted and claimed that the use of peremptory challenges based […]
Read moreFollowing is the case brief for Smith v. Maryland, United States Supreme Court, (1978) Case summary for Smith v. Maryland: Smith was arrested and charged with robbing Patricia McDonough. Evidence, which was obtained by a pen registry absent a warrant, was introduced that Smith called McDonough from his home despite Smith’s objections. Smith appealed claiming he had an expectation of […]
Read moreThe term resisting arrest refers to the act of physically struggling against, or attempting to elude a police officer, in order to escape being restrained. According to the law, a person cannot use physical force to resist being lawfully arrested by a police officer. The act of resisting arrest is a crime that may be charged above and beyond any […]
Read moreFollowing is the case brief for Rochin v. California, Supreme Court of the United States, (1925) Case Summary for Rochin v. California: While searching Rochin’s home, officers asked what was in the capsules found by his nightstand. Rochin responded by swallowing the capsules. Officers arrested Rochin and had his stomach pumped against his will, yielding two pills which contained morphine. […]
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