A lawyer for every death plea? Jenner & Block argues for extending right to counsel

Article Abstract:

The law firm Jenner and Block has filed a federal civil rights suit that claims Mississippi denies the right to counsel to indigent prisoners on death row by failing to appoint lawyers to represent them in appellate proceedings. Lead attorney Donald Verrilli hopes a study showing that Mississippi's death row prisoners lack the mental ability, reading skill and legal knowledge to handle their own appeals will sway the court in his favor. The US Supreme Court decided in 1989 in Murray v. Giarratano that the right to counsel in criminal cases applies only to the trial and initial appeal.

Practice, Right to counsel, Mississippi, Verrilli, Donald

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Death juries get it wrong - study: survey reports they mishear judges' instructions

Article Abstract:

A survey of death penalty juries from seven states that have 'guided discretion' approaches to sentencing found that over half of the jurors had made up their mind about sentences before the evidence for the sentencing phase was presented. Over 40% of the jurors mistakenly believed that mitigating factors that are used to argue against the death penalty must be proved beyond doubt. The data suggest that juries do not have a firm grasp of their tasks or constitutional obligations in capital case sentencing procedures.

Evaluation, Surveys, Instructions to juries, Jury instructions, Jury, Juries

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Death counsel shortage grows; as executions speed up

Article Abstract:

Death row lawyers are increasingly needed as more prisoners try for state post-conviction and habeas corpus remedies, but the number of attorneys willing to help is declining due to poor pay, the recession, confusing US Supreme Court rulings and other factors. Death-penalty resource centers usually try to find lawyers in larger firms since these have the financial resources and expertise for what may be a lengthy battle. Even these firms are more reluctant when they are not sure of sufficient work in other areas.

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