Criminal justice rights are the protections a person has at each stage of the criminal process, from arrest through trial, sentence, and time in custody. They come from the Constitution, federal and state law, and court decisions. Police, prosecutors, defense lawyers, judges, and corrections officials all work under them.
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Federal agents deployed to Minneapolis have shot and killed two U.S. citizens. Can federal immigration officers stop and detain people without reasonable suspicion—specific facts that make…
When Americans think of their rights, they often turn to the Bill of Rights—freedom of speech, religion, and the press. None of these rights would be…
American courts face a fundamental question: Can a society sentence a teenager to die in prison while upholding the Constitution's ban on "cruel and unusual punishments"?…
The Eighth Amendment contains one of the most debated phrases in American law: nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. This clause sits at the center of…
A person's rights in custody are covered in Rights When Arrested, and the help of a lawyer is covered in Right to an Attorney.
Courtroom protections appear in Trial Rights, and limits on punishment appear in Sentencing Protections.
Challenging a verdict is covered in Appeals and Post-conviction Relief, and life behind bars is covered in Rights of Incarcerated People.
The final clause of the Eighth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is stark in its simplicity: "...nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted." For many…
Imagine receiving a speeding ticket. You expect a fine, perhaps a few hundred dollars. But what if the bill was for $10,000? Or what…
Judge Judy's courtroom offers a no-nonsense judge, rapid-fire questions, and a final, decisive ruling all within a single television segment. While entertaining, this popular…
Bail rights depend on more than a dollar amount. Cash deposits, bond fees, detention rules and reform show how wealth affects release before a criminal trial.
The Seventh Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is one of the least discussed but most consequential provisions in the Bill of Rights. It rarely…
Of all the revered phrases in the Bill of Rights - guaranteeing freedoms of speech, religion, and the press - one stands out for…
The Seventh Amendment. It doesn't deal with criminal law or high-profile political speech; instead, it governs the world of civil disputes—the conflicts between people,…
In American democracy, few principles are as foundational as the right of the accused to a fair trial and the right of the public…
Every year, thousands of Americans choose to represent themselves in court - a practice known as "pro se" representation, from the Latin meaning "for…
In American courtrooms, the default setting is open doors. The principle stands in stark contrast to the secret tribunals and shadowy proceedings that have…
