Two views of America's obsession with death: cavalier defense leads to the death penalty for many

Article Abstract:

Initial provision of competent counsel could vastly reduce the cost to states of death-penalty convictions followed by years of appeals and motions. Congress' end to funds for post-conviction defender organizations makes that step imperative. Those bodies, established starting in 1988, proved a strong and effective force for giving those on death row their first real hearing, but by Apr 1, 1996 all must close. The states' false economy in pre-trial and trial phases leads directly to much more expensive justice later on.

United States, Usage, Laws, regulations and rules, Capital punishment, Murderers

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It can take a pile of cash to fight in criminal court

Article Abstract:

Defendants in criminal cases often get less than fair representation because they lack the economic resources to hire good counsel. Most criminal defendants are indigent and must rely on public defenders or court-appointed attorneys who do not have the resources available to prosecutors or costly defense attorneys. Expensive tactics such as the use of expert witnesses are beyond the reach of impoverished clients. Better funding for indigent defense is necessary, but unlikely given the state of the economy.

Criminal justice, Administration of, Administration of criminal justice, Defense (Criminal procedure)

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Loose talk prejudges defendant

Article Abstract:

Patricia Emory's reputation has been damaged as a result of prosecutorial publicity, illustrating a general problem. She was a school principal who was arrested for marijuana smuggling but then she was not indicted. A defamation lawsuit on her part would not really recover her reputation, which shows the responsibility that prosecutors should attend to.

Ethical aspects, Public prosecutors

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