Legal Articles

• Sentencing Guidelines: Fair Sentences or a Denial of Trial by Jury?
  In the 1980s, it became apparent to those in the U.S. government that there were wide sentencing disparities in the United States federal court system.  Defendants who were convicted of very similar crimes were receiving wildly different sentences.  Accordingly, a movement began to develop federal sentencing guidelines.  In addition to providing equitable sentences around the … more
• Wrongful Convictions Resulting from False Confessions
  In a substantial number of cases involving wrongful criminal convictions, innocent defendants voluntarily plead guilty, or otherwise confess to the crime with which they are charged. While it seems counterintuitive to the normal person to admit guilt to crime that he or she didn’t commit, innocent defendants sometimes erroneously admit guilt for a number of reasons, including fear … more