Legal Updates for Criminal Law

Emmett Till Anti-Lynching Act Becomes Federal Law

Along with public recognition of America’s past and present lynching crimes, the Emmett Till Anti-Lynching Act gives federal prosecutors and judges another tool to fight hate crimes.

SCOTUS: Second Amendment Allows People to Carry Handguns in Public for Self-Defense

On June 23, 2022, the United States Supreme Court struck down a New York law that restricted carrying handguns in public. The ruling has significant implications for the Second Amendment and gun laws throughout the country.

SCOTUS: Police Can’t Be Sued for Not Reading Miranda Rights

The Supreme Court has decided whether police can be sued for Miranda violations.

SCOTUS: Justices Reject Broadening the So-Called “Community Caretaking Exception” to the Warrant Requirement

May 17, 2021. The Supreme Court declined to expand police authority to conduct warrantless searches of a home for "community caretaking" functions. Learn how the Court sided with protecting the sanctity of one's home.

Virginia Abolishes the Death Penalty

March 23, 2021. Virginia became the 23rd state to abolish the death penalty and the first Southern state to do so.

Ohio Becomes 24th State to Ban Juvenile Life Without Parole Sentences

January 9, 2021. Nearly half the states now ban sentencing children younger than 18 to a life behind bars with no possibility of release.

SCOTUS Ruling: Criminal Defendants in State Jury Trials Have the Right to Unanimous Jury Verdicts

April 20, 2020. The Supreme Court of the United States held that the Sixth Amendment right to a unanimous verdict in criminal trials applies to both federal and state trials.

California Judicial Council Adopts Emergency COVID-19 Rules

April 8, 2020. California's judicial branch adopts sweeping emergency court rules that suspend jury trials, extend hearing deadlines, allow remote appearances by criminal defendants, and implement a statewide emergency bail schedule.

Courts Across the Country Adopt Emergency COVID-19 Rules

April 8, 2020. In response to the coronavirus pandemic, courts across the country have implemented emergency orders suspending jury trials, extending deadlines for pretrial hearings and speedy trials, and allowing criminal defendants to appear remotely.

New Hampshire Abolishes, Federal Government Reinstitutes Capital Punishment

July 25, 2019. New Hampshire’s repeal of the death penalty was consistent with the gradual national trend. The federal government went the other way.

SCOTUS: Police Don't Need Warrants for Blood Testing of Unconscious DUI Suspects

June 27, 2019. The Supreme Court of the United States held that the police usually don't need a warrant for a blood test if the driver is unconscious and therefore can't do a breath test for BAC evidence.

Governor Stops Executions in California

March 13, 2019. Governor Newsom signed an executive order putting a moratorium on the death penalty.

Washington Becomes 20th State to Eliminate Death Penalty

October 11, 2018. The state's highest court found that capital punishment "fails to serve any legitimate penological goal."

California Almost Became the First State to Eliminate Cash Bail

August 31, 2018. A new law ends the system of having to pay money to get out of jail.

Police Must Normally Get Warrants for CSLI, Says Supreme Court

June 22, 2018. The Court set a cellphone privacy rule for all the country.