With the closure of schools, restaurants, movies, churches, entertainment venues, sports activities, all states and the District of Columbia must consider closing all courts except for emergency matters. While each state must weigh the decision against the health options, the health options and possible loss of life must outweigh any other considerations. Today, the Trump administration recommended no public gatherings over 10 persons. I was last in court on March 5, 6 with a client. The large Maryland criminal courtroom was filled with standing room only. As the person sitting in front of me wearing a mask, began coughing, I became nervous. One-week later Friday, March 13, 2020, Maryland Governor Hogan closed all Maryland state courts to the public until April 3, 2020. In Michigan, state courts have recommended the postponement of all civil and criminal trials unless a defendant is in custody. Large court rooms are a hotbed of germs on even any non-Coronavirus pandemic day. It … [Read more...] about All Courts Should Close due to Coronavirus
trials
5 Police Officer Trials to Watch in 2015
From Freddie Gray in Baltimore who ran away from police officers to Jonathan Ferrell who ran towards Charlotte police officers for help, five trials of on duty police officers for killing unarmed victims will likely take place in 2015. On Wednesday, August 19, a Fairfax, Virginia judge set December 14, 2015 as the trial date for former officer Adam Torres accused of shooting and killing John Geer in August, 2013 at his home for a domestic dispute call. In an unusual legal move for police officers, a Fairfax County judge denied bail for Torres—a move that caused the defendant to faint in the court room. Prosecutors refused to offer a plea bargain to Torres—a move that signifies the case will likely head to trial. Although the killing occurred two years ago, the county police initially refused to turn over necessary information on Torres to prosecutors--causing a delay in bringing charges. The case of the six Baltimore police officers charged on May 1, 2015 with assault and … [Read more...] about 5 Police Officer Trials to Watch in 2015
The Oddity of Fair Trials and Impartial Jurors
The questions most commonly asked during high publicity trials is whether a defendant can get a fair trial and if a fair and impartial jury of one’s peers will determine the outcome. In high publicity trials, such as three going on now in the courts, Aaron Hernandez, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, (“Boston Bomber”) and the murder case of Chris Kyle (“American Sniper”), those questions become more relevant and difficult to answer. What is required under the Constitution of being a fair trial and an impartial jury is often at odds with what most people think about juries and fair trials. Aaron Hernandez, a former New England Patriots player, is charged with murder and is being tried near Boston. With the Patriots winning the Super Bowl this year, it is almost a sure bet that most jurors in the Boston area have heard or read about Aaron Hernandez before the trial. Then there’s Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the Boston Bomber trial. Undoubtedly, every prospective Boston area juror is aware of the … [Read more...] about The Oddity of Fair Trials and Impartial Jurors