Empowering prosecutors; movement to allow equal right to jury trial has judges fearing overload
Article Abstract:
A Pennsylvania law passed in 1998 increased to 25 states, the District of Columbia and the US the group empowering prosecutors to choose a jury, either by challenging a defendant's waiver or by direct request, as in Pennsylvania. Almost 70% of voters approved the proposal, while a range of interest groups opposed it, including the National Rifle Ass'n, the defense bar, and the ACLU. Judges were also in opposition due to a fear of increased court backlogs and decreased judicial power.
Publication Name: ABA Journal
Subject: Law
ISSN: 0747-0088
Year: 1999
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Let us be 'officers of the court.'
Article Abstract:
The most aggressive lawyers always maintain their tactics and abrasive style are nothing more than zealous advocacy, and putting the interests of their clients first requires doing no less. The idea that the duty to represent a client trumps the obligations of professionalism is indefensible as a matter of law, and various federal and state court rulings state as much. Legal civility also of course affects a lawyer's reputation.
Publication Name: ABA Journal
Subject: Law
ISSN: 0747-0088
Year: 1997
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