The Law Dictionary for Everyone
Following is the case brief for Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668 (1984) Case Summary of Strickland v. Washington: Defendant Washington was arrested for a number of crimes he committed in a 10-day crime spree. He ultimately pleaded guilty. At sentencing, the defendant’s attorney did not obtain character witnesses or order a pre-sentence report. The judge then sentenced the defendant […]
Read moreFollowing is the case brief for Betts v. Brady, 316 U.S. 455 (1942) Case Summary of Betts v. Brady: The State of Maryland indicted Betts for robbery. Betts could not afford an attorney and asked the court to appoint counsel for him. The court refused, and Betts represented himself at his robbery trial. Betts was ultimately convicted and sentenced to […]
Read moreFollowing is the case brief for Faretta v. California, 422 U.S. 806 (1975) Case Summary of Faretta v. California: Criminal defendant Faretta wished to represent himself in his criminal trial. The trial court, however, appointed a lawyer for Faretta. The court found that he did not knowing and intelligently waive his right to counsel. A jury convicted Faretta, and he was sentenced […]
Read moreFollowing is the case brief for Argersinger v. Hamlin, Supreme Court of the United States, (1972) Case summary for Argersinger v. Hamlin: Jon Argersinger was charged with carrying a concealed weapon under a state statute which imposed a possible sentence of up to six months incarceration. Argersinger was not appointed counsel, and was convicted. Argersinger filed a petition for habeas […]
Read moreFollowing is the case brief for Edwards v. Arizona, Supreme Court of the United States, (1981) Case summary for Edwards v. Arizona: After receiving a Miranda warning and invoking his right to counsel, Edwards was transferred to a correctional facility. The next day, a guard told Edwards that he must talk to the police, so when officers re-initiated questioning, Edwards […]
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 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 moreFollowing is the case brief for Brewer v. Williams, 430 U.S. 387 (1977). Case Summary of Brewer v. Williams: Respondent Williams abducted and murdered a 10-year-old girl. Two days later he turned himself in after speaking to his attorney. While he was transported by police officers to the jurisdiction where the crime occurred, an officer appealed to Williams’ religious beliefs by […]
Read moreFollowing is the case brief for Escobedo v. Illinois, United States Supreme Court, (1964) Case summary for Escobedo v. Illinois: Twenty-two year old Escobedo was taken into custody for questioning regarding a murder. Escobedo repeatedly asked for his attorney and was denied. Another suspect, Di Gerlando, was at the station and told officers that Escobedo shot and killed the victim. […]
Read moreA public defender is a lawyer appointed to represent individuals accused of a crime, who are unable to hire an attorney for financial reasons. The U.S. Constitution affords all individuals the right to representation when charged with a crime. If an accused individual cannot afford to hire an attorney, and the state does not provide him with one, he cannot […]
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