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Full-Text Articles in Law
Why It's Time For Pervasive Surveillance...Of The Police, Russell Dean Covey
Why It's Time For Pervasive Surveillance...Of The Police, Russell Dean Covey
Russell D. Covey
No abstract provided.
Abolishing Jailhouse Snitch Testimony, Russell D. Covey
Abolishing Jailhouse Snitch Testimony, Russell D. Covey
Russell D. Covey
Jailhouse snitch testimony is inherently unreliable. Snitches have powerful incentives to invent incriminating lies about other inmates in often well-founded hopes that such testimony will provide them with material benefits, including in many cases substantial reduction of criminal charges against them or of the time they are required to serve. At the same time, false snitch testimony is difficult, if not altogether impossible, for criminal defendants to impeach. Because such testimony usually pits the word of two individuals against one another, both of whose credibility is suspect, jurors have little ability to accurately or effectively assess or weigh the evidence. …
Abolishing Jailhouse Snitch Testimony, Russell D. Covey
Abolishing Jailhouse Snitch Testimony, Russell D. Covey
Russell D. Covey
Jailhouse snitch testimony is inherently unreliable. Snitches have powerful incentives to invent incriminating lies about other inmates in often well-founded hopes that such testimony will provide them with material benefits, including in many cases substantial reduction of criminal charges against them or of the time they are required to serve. At the same time, false snitch testimony is difficult, if not altogether impossible, for criminal defendants to impeach. Because such testimony usually pits the word of two individuals against one another, both of whose credibility is suspect, jurors have little ability to accurately or effectively assess or weigh the evidence. …