Bench trial

statements as facts, due to his title. The fifth and final topic is the bailiff. A bailiff is a policeman who works for a judge. They could be a country sheriff as well. Bailiffs supervise the defendant, protect the judge, and notify the police of a bench warrant. In the movie, we see the bailiff often during court as he announces “all rise” when the judge walks in the courtroom, and we see him again at the end of the movie when the Colonel is under…

#1 –– What are five defenses to criminal conduct? Explain in each case how each might be used. There are many kinds of defenses to criminal conduct that are known as affirmative defenses. The textbook mentions a few including: automatism, intoxication, coercion, alibi, and defense of property. The defense of automatism insists that the defendants was “incapable of formulating criminal intent because he/she blacked out or was acting unconsciously”, and therefore, had no intent to commit the…

In the book Monster written by Walter Dean Meyer, Steve Harmon, a 16 year old black boy, is by going a trial determining if he will spend his life in jail or not. Steve’s outcome of the trial was not guilty with which many would most likely not agree with. In what was supposed to be just a robbery turned into the murdering of Nesbitt, the murder with which Steve was allegedly the look out for the whole thing. Most believe he is guilty, but not on the account of murder just on the robbery. He…

Queensland Double Jeopardy Provisions Double Jeopardy is a technicality law based upon the assumption that one cannot be repeatedly prosecuted in a criminal trial by either the jury, judge or appeal of court judges ("Questioning Double Jeopardy", 2016). This notion has been in existence for 800 years and originated from English Common Law. The double jeopardy protection averts three scenarios, a retrial for a crime that would attract a 25-year or more sentence if the original acquittal is…

Some suspects that are brought in on minor infractions are able to post bail. In either case, the magistrate judge tells the defendant what the charges are against them and the amount of bail, if any, or if they are to remain in custody until trial. At this time the defendant may also plead guilty or not guilty to the charges that have been brought against them as well (Steps in the Federal Criminal Process, 2015). During this initial appearance if bail is set, and if the defendant is able…

Casey Anthony Murder Trial On July 15th, 2008, Cindy Anthony had to reanalyze her life. Her tears echoed over the line to the local police station, confused as to why she hadn’t seen her precious granddaughter, Caylee, in over 31 days. Her daughter, Casey, offered every explanation possible as to why Caylee hadn’t come in contact with Cindy in this span of time. Cindy Anthony had been placing pieces together all along and the whole situation seemed suspicious to her. Casey’s car had smelled…

During his trial, he knew he was innocent, but the prosecution was using his former friend’s testimony against him. Even though Nichol refused to say on the stand that she had seen David stab Gail, because she really did not see. That refusal led Crown prosecutor Bobs Caldwell to use a new section of the Canada Evidence Act pertaining to the use of prior inconsistent statements to cast doubt on a witness 's credibility (Injustice E Busters, 2006). But the prosecutor was still able to read her…

when someone’s fingerprints are found at a crime scene? Thomas Jennings, a black man, was accused of murdering Clarence Hiller in Chicago, Illinois in 1910, when his fingerprints were found at the scene of the crime. The Thomas Jennings Trial was an important trial because it changed what evidence can be used it court, by challenging and redefining American values such as what is used to convict criminals, fingerprints being allowed in court, and how minority are treated. On the night of…

In the film trial, unlike Davis’, Bertrande’s double role is not depicted. Instead, Bertrande always backs the imposter as her true husband throughout the trial. This is regrettably a clear divergence from Davis’ thoroughly researched historical account. Further, this position is a legal impossibility as the case would not have stood on trial had Bertrande not supported the complaint. The position would also weaken her position as a manipulated innocent in the trial. Instead of sticking…

Who is Steve Harmon? On trial for involvement in a murder, is Steve Harmon, a 16 year old with African heritage. He is tried for being a lookout for a drugstore robbery that resulted in the murder of the store owner, Mr. Nesbitt. This particular trial is set in Manhattan in the novel written by Walter Dean Myers, Monster. Many people’s first impression of Steve is a typical teenager capable of making foolish decisions. However, some believe that Steve is a conscious young adult who is aware of…