| Wiretaps and Electronic Surveillance Devices |
| Under the United States Code wiretaps are permitted after a proper application has been made for their usage. A wiretap is defined as a form of electronic surveillance whereupon law enforcement officers listen to phone conversations or other communications of certain individuals. States have enacted their own statutes that cover the procedures and issuance of permits to conduct a wiretap.More... |
| Lie Detector Tests and Polygraphs |
| A lie detector test or a polygraph test is used to determine whether the defendant or witness shows physiological and psychological reactions in response to certain questions. These tests are typically given if it is believed that the defendant or a witness is intentionally trying to deceive authorities or attorneys. There are various types of lie detector tests. More... |
| JURY INSTRUCTIONS ON APPLICATION OF THE LAW TO THE FACTS |
| A jury's role in a criminal case is to determine the guilt or innocence of a defendant. In accordance with this role, the jury must also judge the facts of the case. In order to make its factual determination, the jury is instructed on the law by a trial court. The trial court sets forth the law in written instructions that are delivered to the jury before the prosecution and the defense make their closing arguments. The jury is not permitted to receive the law from any source other than the trial court.More... |
| A DEFENDANT'S RIGHT TO CONFRONT WITNESSES |
| Under the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution, a defendant has a right to confront his or her adverse witnesses. This means that the defendant has a right to a face-to-face meeting with the witnesses. Included in this right is the right to cross-examine the witnesses. More... |
| SENTENCING HEARINGS |
| When a defendant is accused of a criminal offense and the defendant pleads not guilty to the offense, the defendant's trial may involve a two-stage process, depending upon whether the defendant is tried by a jury or a trial judge. The two-stage process involves the guilt or innocence stage of the trial and the punishment stage of the trial.More... |
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Criminal Law Newsletter
