For the death penalty, a super-proof standard
Article Abstract:
Capital punishment does not leave room for error and so a higher evidence standard should be required such as the defendant must voluntarily confess. Reasonable doubt is acceptable when the punishment can be revoked later but the death penalty is too final to be applied in cases built on circumstantial evidence. Though the US judicial system is very good, it cannot entirely avoid mistakes and therefore any doubt of a defendant's guilt should prevent a death penalty verdict.
Publication Name: The National Law Journal
Subject: Law
ISSN: 0162-7325
Year: 1995
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Memories can be real, but still incorrect
Article Abstract:
One of the challenges facing the legal system is detecting memory distortions since the confidence of eyewitnesses and the accuracy of their memory are not necessarily closely related. Brain scans show that different parts of the brain are activated during accurate and false memories, neuroscientific research has just shown. The results for this technique are at this point based on group averages and courtroom use for individual recollection may be premature.
Publication Name: The National Law Journal
Subject: Law
ISSN: 0162-7325
Year: 1996
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Statistics fine-tune simple courtroom evidence
Article Abstract:
The standard legal definition of proof does not accommodate statistical evidence very well. The law defines proof as a direct showing of cause and effect, while statistics speaks in terms of probabilities. Scientific evidence based on statistics will not produce equitable results until the legal community agrees on the legal meaning of statistical probabilities.
Publication Name: The National Law Journal
Subject: Law
ISSN: 0162-7325
Year: 1993
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- Abstracts: Alternatives to the strike as a model of resistance: case studies and theory building. Strong unions are needed for economic success
- Abstracts: Federal preemption of state law. Review of administrative action
- Abstracts: Consumer lawyers innovate; new breed of suits brings results, big fees. Rent-to-own is targeted as racketeering
- Abstracts: Terminated dealers adopt new tactics. Teams and leagues face off in court over relocations
- Abstracts: Equal access to information sought; in outlying areas, law libraries are still few and far between. 'Low-growth' collections pay off; some firms use technology to control the size of libraries