CJLF HEADQUARTERS

SUPREME COURT LIMITS DEFENDANT'S RIGHT TO ACT AS HIS OWN ATTORNEY
The United States Supreme Court has ruled that the Sixth Amendment right of criminal defendants to represent themselves can be denied to those whose mental illness makes them unable to competently do so.

CALIFORNIA SUPREME COURT UPHOLDS D.A.'S DEFENSE OF VICTIM'S RIGHTS
Decision: May 12. The California Supreme Court rejected an appellate court ruling which had disqualified part of the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office from participating in a child molestation case. The decision stated, "...the trial court's conclusion that various prosecutors had a conflict because of their representation of [the victim] was wrong as a matter of law."

SUPREME COURT UPHOLDS LETHAL INJECTION
Decision: April 16. The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected claims that Kentucky’s lethal injection process is unconstitutionally cruel and unusual.

SUPREME COURT TO REVIEW RULING TO DISQUALIFY PROSECUTOR
March 31, 2008. The California Supreme Court will hear oral argument Tuesday regarding an appellate court ruling which disqualified a large part of the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office for trying to protect the confidential medical and psychotherapy records of a child molestation victim.

SUPREME COURT DECIDES TEXAS MURDER CASE
Decision: March 25. Medellin v. Texas ends a legal dispute involving the World Court, U.S. Supreme Court, the state of Texas, and the President. [View blog comments.]

COURT TO HEAR CASE OF MENTALLY ILL DEFENDANT REPRESENTING SELF
March 24, 2008. U.S. Supreme Court will hear argument Wednesday in a case regarding whether the Constitution requires states to let criminal defendants who suffer from mental illness represent themselves.