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Inherently Female Cases Of Child Abuse And Neglect: A Gender-Neutral Analysis, Suzanne D'Amico
Inherently Female Cases Of Child Abuse And Neglect: A Gender-Neutral Analysis, Suzanne D'Amico
Fordham Urban Law Journal
Tabitha Walrond was a young mother who was found guilty of criminally negligent homicide after her two-month-old son died from malnutrition. This Comment examines how the portrayal of Ms. Walrond by the defense and prosecution, and in the media reflects gender stereotypes in the criminal law and society. The Comment posits the notion that Ms. Walrond was portrayed as either a good or bad mother and once so labeled, the judge, jury and prosecution view her as such, while ignoring her specific situation. As a result, a defendant such as Ms. Walrond may be treated either too harshly or too …
From Sounds Bites To Sound Policy: Reclaiming The High Ground In Criminal Justice Policy-Making, Anthony C. Thompson
From Sounds Bites To Sound Policy: Reclaiming The High Ground In Criminal Justice Policy-Making, Anthony C. Thompson
Fordham Urban Law Journal
In this article, the author contemplates the way the criminal justice system is portrayed in the media and suggests how the media's emphasis on "sound bites" - which makes it difficult to separate fact from hype - has had significant policy ramifications. The author makes a point of exploring the many ways that conceptions of crime are formed and influenced, as well as how the media has shaped legislation. In the author's opinion, in order to curb the excessive influence of most mainstream representations of the criminal justice system, there must be some mechanism for oversight of both the media …
Access To Justice: Some Historical Comments, Lawrence M. Friedman
Access To Justice: Some Historical Comments, Lawrence M. Friedman
Fordham Urban Law Journal
This article sets out some preliminary thoughts on what "access to justice" might mean, and comment on how access to justice has fared historically.
Too Little, Too Late: Ineffective Assistance Of Counsel, The Duty To Investigate, And Pretrial Discovery In Criminal Cases, Jenny Roberts
Too Little, Too Late: Ineffective Assistance Of Counsel, The Duty To Investigate, And Pretrial Discovery In Criminal Cases, Jenny Roberts
Fordham Urban Law Journal
Unlike rules governing discovery in civil cases, which require that the two sides exchange most information about their respective cases, criminal discovery result in a much more limited flow of information. Many commentators, for many years, have called for the liberalization of criminal discovery statutes and rules. Indeed, some states have heeded the call. But about a dozen states follow the highly restrictive federal rule, which is premised in part on the idea that a defendant should not be entitled to witness names or statements for pretrial investigation, but rather only for cross-examination purposes should the case ever get to …
Transformative Criminal Defense Practice: Truth, Love, And Individual Rights- The Innovative Approach Of The Georgia Justice Project, Douglas Ammar, Tosha Downey
Transformative Criminal Defense Practice: Truth, Love, And Individual Rights- The Innovative Approach Of The Georgia Justice Project, Douglas Ammar, Tosha Downey
Fordham Urban Law Journal
Georgia Justice Project has a unique approach to criminal defense and rehabilitation which is based on a relationship and community-oriented ethic. Focused on only accepting clients who are willing to make a serious commitment to changing their lives, the GJP ensures that the client moves beyond social, emotional and personal challenges that contributed to their legal problems. This article describes the unique factors of the GJP that have contributed to its continued success.
"Forgive Me Victim For I Have Sinned": Why Repentance And The Criminal Justice System Do Not Mix - A Lesson From Jewish Law, Cheryl G. Bader
"Forgive Me Victim For I Have Sinned": Why Repentance And The Criminal Justice System Do Not Mix - A Lesson From Jewish Law, Cheryl G. Bader
Fordham Urban Law Journal
This essay will critique the Georgia Justice Project's encouragement of confessions in the context of the secular American justice system via comparison with the treatment of confessions under ancient Jewish law. Specifically, this essay posits that the absolute prohibition on the use of confessions in a legal system firmly rooted in religious values recognizes the danger inherent in combining the act of speaking of one's sins for religious penance with the use of such confessions in the criminal adjudication process. The Jewish legal system avoids these inherent dangers by completely devaluing the accused's confession. The GJP, in contrast, merges the …
Religion And The Public Defender, Sadiq Reza
Religion And The Public Defender, Sadiq Reza
Fordham Urban Law Journal
This essay argues that the public defender should not undertake, or fail to undertake, any action to the legal detriment of a client on the basis of a conflict the attorney perceives between religious and professional responsibility, except for imminent death or serious bodily harm to another. Having accepted the responsibility of representing indigent criminal defendants, the public defender is duty-bound to not compromise that responsibility for competing religious obligations. This argument rests on four premises: (1) the public defender occupies a unique position in our legal system, and options available to private interest lawyers or other clients should not …
The Crime Bill Of 1994 And The Law Of Character Evidence: Congress Was Right About Consent Defense Cases, Roger C. Park
The Crime Bill Of 1994 And The Law Of Character Evidence: Congress Was Right About Consent Defense Cases, Roger C. Park
Fordham Urban Law Journal
There is considerable debate as to whether to admit evidence of past sexual assaults in cases where the accused presents a defense of consent to a current sexual assault charge. The consent defense presents a unique situation where, due to the probative value of evidence that suggests propensity to rape, a strong justification can be made to admit this information as evidence. However, critics of this opinion have argued that admitting propensity evidence about the accused in a rape case is inconsistent with the rape shield rule which excludes propensity evidence about the victim. This argument is flawed in the …
American Bar Association Criminal Justice Section Report To The House Of Delegates, Myrna S. Raeder
American Bar Association Criminal Justice Section Report To The House Of Delegates, Myrna S. Raeder
Fordham Urban Law Journal
The proposed amendments to the Federal Rules of Evidence, Rules 413-15 regarding the admission of character testimony in cases of sexual abuse and child molestation, have been roundly criticized by the legal community on both substantive and procedural grounds. The ABA has resolved to oppose the substance of these rules, and fear that in addition to the direct concerns regarding the result of the rules, they raise troubling policy issues going forward.
The Battle Over The Brady Bill And The Future Of Gun Control Advocacy, Richard M. Aborn
The Battle Over The Brady Bill And The Future Of Gun Control Advocacy, Richard M. Aborn
Fordham Urban Law Journal
No matter how effective a legislative scheme is, legislation alone will not eradicate the deeply rooted culture of gun violence that exists in this country. Accordingly, Handgun Control divides its efforts between legislative and non-legislative efforts. In this regard, the Center to Prevent Handgun Violence carries out the non-legislative interventions of Handgun Control. These efforts include working with elementary, secondary and high schools to promote a gun violence reduction curriculum; litigating on behalf of gun victims; defending gun control legislation in the courts; working with the entertainment industry concerning the messages in popular entertainment about gun violence; and working with …
A Moral Standard For The Prosecutor's Exercise Of The Charging Discretion, Bennett L. Gershman
A Moral Standard For The Prosecutor's Exercise Of The Charging Discretion, Bennett L. Gershman
Fordham Urban Law Journal
The prosecutor's decision to institute criminal charges is the broadest and least regulated power in American criminal law. The judicial deference shown to prosecutors generally is most noticeable with respect to the charging function. This Essay discusses three hypothetical cases that present both realistic and recurring challenges to the prosecutor's charging power. The first case depends on a factual determination of a witness's reliability. The second case depends on a factual determination of the witness's truthfulness. The third case revolves around a legal determination regarding the applicability of a defense. Together, these cases provide a setting in which a moral …
The Race Factor And Trial By Jury, Kenneth Conboy
The Race Factor And Trial By Jury, Kenneth Conboy
Fordham Urban Law Journal
The institution of trial by jury in criminal cases, one of the great achievements in the history of civilization and a principal foundation of our federal constitutional order, is to day under challenge by two different by interrelated developments in American courtrooms. The first is the development of a broad national imperative to eliminate all aspects of racism in American legal, political, and social life. The second is the heightened scrutiny that electronic media presence is applying to the jury system. This essay explores the utility and fairness of the American trial jury and its premise as a democratic and …
The Urban Criinal Justice System & The Juror's Perception, David Lewis
The Urban Criinal Justice System & The Juror's Perception, David Lewis
Fordham Urban Law Journal
The criminal justice system is anchored in its belief that twelve citizens are capable of working together to sift through the most difficult and complicated information without any preconception or bias to arrive at a "just" result. In this essay, the author explores the diverse perceptions the various actors in a courtroom (prosecutor, defense lawyer, police officer, jurors) and discusses how these views form an integral part of the courtroom dynamic.
The Big Black Man Syndrome: The Rodney King Trial And The Use Of Racial Stereotyes In The Courtroom, Lawrence Vogelman
The Big Black Man Syndrome: The Rodney King Trial And The Use Of Racial Stereotyes In The Courtroom, Lawrence Vogelman
Fordham Urban Law Journal
Rodney King was portrayed as the prototypical "Big Black Man". Having recognized the existence of the Big Black Man Syndrome as a factor in the Rodney King Case, what are the moral and ethical implications of allowing defense counsel to so cleverly play upon the racial fears they evidently recognized? The issue is whether the use of racist arguments by defense counsel in a criminal trial is unethical. This essay explores the ethical consideration that come into play where a trial advocate is faced with a case where racism, homophobia, or ethnic prejudice is part of the courtroom dynamic.
The Urban Crimnal Justice System: A Case Of Fairness, John F. Keenan
The Urban Crimnal Justice System: A Case Of Fairness, John F. Keenan
Fordham Urban Law Journal
This short essay contains the presiding judges recollections of the case People v. Robles as a way to discuss public perception of fairness in the criminal justice system.
"A Good Murder", Leigh B. Bienen
"A Good Murder", Leigh B. Bienen
Fordham Urban Law Journal
People are profoundly interested in crimes because the law and legal punishments are supposed to address the fundamental human craving for justice. Courts are embedded in this system of law because we do not rust individuals alone or groups to judge fairly. This essay will describe a pattern which emerged when researchers examined all homicide cases in the state of New Jersey during the years immediately after the reimposition of capital punishment in 1982. Particularly relevant is the pattern of capital punishment for urban and suburban murders, and how those cases were regarded by law enforcement, the media, and the …
The Urban Criminal Justice System: Where Young + Black + Male = Probable Cause, Elizabeth A. Gaynes
The Urban Criminal Justice System: Where Young + Black + Male = Probable Cause, Elizabeth A. Gaynes
Fordham Urban Law Journal
We live in a country where one out of four young African-American men is under some form of custodial supervision. In our nation's capital, seven out of ten African-American men can anticipate being arrested and jailed at least once before reaching the age of thirty-five. We live in a city where a black man between the ages of fifteen and twenty-four is far more likely to die of homicide than all other causes combined. The official response to the problem of urban crime by minority youth has been prison, prison, and more prison. This essay provides an overview and examples …
The High Cost Of Juvenile Justice, Diane Ridley Gatewood
The High Cost Of Juvenile Justice, Diane Ridley Gatewood
Fordham Urban Law Journal
This Essay will discuss the high cost of incarcerating substantial numbers of minority juveniles and will advocate alternatives to detention. The author discusses how minority youth are disproportionately affected at multiple stages of the criminal justice process: arrests, detentions, adjudication, and disposition. The Essay further discusses the increased use of the prison system for juveniles. The Essay concludes with several recommendations for how minority youth can be treated more fairly within the system and recommends alternatives to incarceration.
Felony Murder And The Misdemeanor Of Attempted Escape: A Legislative Error In Search Of Correction, Peter J. Mcquillan
Felony Murder And The Misdemeanor Of Attempted Escape: A Legislative Error In Search Of Correction, Peter J. Mcquillan
Fordham Urban Law Journal
This article argues that a legislative reconsideration of the New York felony murder doctrine is timely and essential. The author traces the origins of New York's felony murder statute and recent efforts to limit its scope. The author argues that the felony murder doctrine contravenes the modern philosophy of adjudication based on subjective factors such as mens rea, eroding the link between criminal liability and moral culpability.
Protecting Battered Women: A Proposal For Comprehensive Domestic Violence Legislation In New York, Lisa R. Beck
Protecting Battered Women: A Proposal For Comprehensive Domestic Violence Legislation In New York, Lisa R. Beck
Fordham Urban Law Journal
This note proposes that New York implement a mandatory arrest policy for certain types of domestic violence. The author first examines New York's current methods of addressing domestic violence, including previous attempts at decriminalization, judicial remedies, and the effectiveness of orders of protection. The author then describes the issues of the current discretionary arrest policy. The note examines domestic violence legislation in other states, then proposes a comprehensive statutory scheme to address domestic violence in New York state.
Proposal For Determinate Sentencing In New York: The Effect On An Offender's Due Process Rights, John D. Winter
Proposal For Determinate Sentencing In New York: The Effect On An Offender's Due Process Rights, John D. Winter
Fordham Urban Law Journal
This Note examines the differences between indeterminate sentencing, the goal of which is rehabilitative, and determinate sentencing. It looks at the constitutional and procedural safeguards due to prisoners at sentencing. Finally, the Note looks at legislation introduced in New York and its proposals for changing the sentencing procedures.
Note: Constitutional Chellanges To New York's Youthful Offender Statute, John M. Tyd
Note: Constitutional Chellanges To New York's Youthful Offender Statute, John M. Tyd
Fordham Urban Law Journal
New York's Youthful Offender Statute has been described as "humane and progressive legislation intended for the benefit of a youth who makes his first mistake and that he should not be branded as a criminal therefor..." In keeping with this philosophy, the statute provides a system whereby a youth (i.e., an individual between the ages of sixteen and eighteen) can avoid the serious consequences which result from being convicted of a crime. Upon determination that youthful offender status should be granted, the conviction is vacated and replaced with a youthful offender finding. Prior to 1975, those youths indicted for crimes …
Book Review: Denial Of Justice: Criminal Process In The United States, Thomas G. Roth
Book Review: Denial Of Justice: Criminal Process In The United States, Thomas G. Roth
Fordham Urban Law Journal
Thomas G. Roth reviews Denial of Justice: Criminal Process in the United States by Lloyd L. Weinreb. In his book, Lloyd L. Weinreb argues persuasively that American criminal process not only falls short of being the best there is, but it denies us a system which we can properly call "just." Weinreb's work is divided into two sections. The first part, which comprises the bulk of the book, explains how criminal process works and, more significantly, how it has failed to achieve effectively the goals for which it was developed. In the second part, he describes in general theory an …