The Law Dictionary for Everyone
Following is the case brief for Pena-Rodriguez v. Colorado, 137 S. Ct. 855 (2017) Case Summary of Pena-Rodriguez v. Colorado: Petitioner Pena-Rodriguez was convicted of harassment and unlawful sexual contact by a Colorado jury. After the jury was dismissed, two jurors informed defense counsel that another juror had a racial bias against petitioner and his alibi witness, who was also […]
Read moreFollowing is the case brief for McKeiver v. Pennsylvania, 403 U.S. 528 (1971) Case Summary of McKeiver v. Pennsylvania: A number of juveniles in Pennsylvania and North Carolina were adjudicated delinquent on charges that would be criminal offenses if committed by an adult. The courts in all of the cases denied the juveniles a jury trial. The Supreme Courts of […]
Read moreFollowing 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 moreThe 6th Amendment is the amendment to the Constitution that gives everyone the right to a speedy and public trial. For example, the 6th Amendment provides that a person will not have to undergo a drawn-out process that can both prolong his anxiety and potentially impair his ability to defend himself. The 6th Amendment also requires all criminal trials be […]
Read moreFollowing is the case brief for Padilla v. Kentucky, 559 U.S. 356 (2010) Case Summary of Padilla v. Kentucky: Padilla, a 40-year permanent resident of the U.S., was charged with transporting a large amount of marijuana. Padilla’s attorney said that he would not be deported as a result of pleading guilty to a drug charge because he was in the […]
Read moreFollowing is the case brief for Missouri v. Frye, 132 S. Ct. 1399 (2012) Case Summary of Missouri v. Frye: After respondent Frye was charged with a crime, Frye’s counsel received a 90-day-sentence plea offer from the prosecutor. Frye’s counsel failed to inform Frye of the offer, and the offer expired. Frye ultimately pleaded guilty and received a three-year sentence. […]
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 Schmerber v. California, 384 U.S. 757 (1966) Case Summary of Schmerber v. California: Police ordered a physician to take petitioner’s blood, without petitioner’s consent, in connection with a drunk driving incident. Petitioner was convicted of drunk driving with the blood sample as evidence against him. Petitioner appealed, claiming the taking of his blood violated his […]
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