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Felony Murder And Child Abuse: A Proposal For The New York Legislature, Barry Bendetowies Jan 1991

Felony Murder And Child Abuse: A Proposal For The New York Legislature, Barry Bendetowies

Fordham Urban Law Journal

"Lisa Steinberg's head was hit so hard her injuries matched those of a person who had fallen out of a three-story window. Over the course of three months, investigators believed that Jessica Cortez was beaten numerous times with fists, a ruler, and a belt by her mother's companion who, in addition, sexually abused her. Lisa and Jessica are only two of the many New York City children who have died as a result of child abuse in recent years; at least 126 other children died at the hands of abusive adults in 1988 alone. This alarming and ever increasing statistic …


Charleston Policy: Substance Or Abuse, The , Kimani Paul-Emile Jan 1989

Charleston Policy: Substance Or Abuse, The , Kimani Paul-Emile

Faculty Scholarship

In 1989, the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) adopted a policy that, according to subjective criteria, singled out for drug testing, certain women who sought prenatal care and childbirth services would be tested for prohibited substances. Women who tested positive were arrested, incarcerated and prosecuted for crimes ranging from misdemeanor substance possession to felony substance distribution to a minor. In this Article, the Author argues that by intentionally targeting indigent Black women for prosecution, the MUSC Policy continued the United States legacy of their systematic oppression and resulted in the criminalizing of Black Motherhood.


Her Brother's Keeper: The Prosecutor's Responsibility When Defense Counsel Has A Potential Conflict Of Interest , Bruce A. Green Jan 1988

Her Brother's Keeper: The Prosecutor's Responsibility When Defense Counsel Has A Potential Conflict Of Interest , Bruce A. Green

Faculty Scholarship

What are the responsibilities of a prosecutor when she learns in the course of preparing for trial that defense counsel has a potential conflict of interest? Must the prosecutor alert defense counsel and the trial judge to the problem? May she move to disqualify defense counsel? This Article explores the responsibilities that courts have begun to, and ought to, impose on prosecutors. In large part, the prosecutor's responsibilities are subordinate to those of defense counsel and the trial judge, who have the primary responsibility to ensure that the defendant's right to independent counsel is not unfairly abridged. Therefore, as background …


Blaming The Victim: The Admissibility Of Sexual History In Homicides, Joan L. Brown Jan 1988

Blaming The Victim: The Admissibility Of Sexual History In Homicides, Joan L. Brown

Fordham Urban Law Journal

This Note analyzes whether legislation analogous to rape-shield statutes should be enacted to limit testimony concerning the prior sexual history of a murder victim. The Note discusses the historical development of rape-shield statutes and the policies underlying their enactment, examines the constitutional of rape-shield statutes, and discusses the rationale behind state court decisions upholding the constitutionality of rape-shield statutes. The Note then considers whether existing law concerning the right of privacy and testimonial privileges may be construed to enable the family members of a murder victim to prevent the exposure of a deceased victim's sexual past. Based upon this analysis, …


Human Biology And Criminal Responsibility: Free Will Of Free Ride ?, Deborah W. Denno Jan 1988

Human Biology And Criminal Responsibility: Free Will Of Free Ride ?, Deborah W. Denno

Faculty Scholarship

This Comment presents three major arguments concerning biological deficiency defenses, using, respectively, a critique of biosocial science research, a statistical model of biological and sociological data, and an examination of theories and philosophies on causation and behavior. First, this Comment argues that there should be no defense to mitigate criminal responsibility except in the less that one percent of cases eligible for the insanity defense. Second, this Comment argues that social science research has not successfully demonstrated sufficiently strong links between biological factors and criminal behavior to warrant major consideration in determining criminal responsibility. Third, this Comment demonstrates that no …


The Unanimous Acquittal Instruction: A Rational Approach To Instructing Jurors On Lesser Included Offenses, David Y. Atlas Jan 1988

The Unanimous Acquittal Instruction: A Rational Approach To Instructing Jurors On Lesser Included Offenses, David Y. Atlas

Fordham Urban Law Journal

This Note proposes that all courts embrace the unanimous acquittal instruction because it encourages the jury to engage in an effective and conscientious deliberative process. The disagreement instruction not only fosters imprudent decision making, but also invites the jury to abuse its power to render a compromise verdict and thus is a wholly inappropriate method for instructing jurors on their consideration of lesser included offenses. Part II of this Note explores the background of the lesser offense doctrine, the elements of each instruction and the rationale behind recent judicial precedent in this area. Part III sets forth empirical research on …


Partaker Or Prey? Futures Commission Merchants Under Civil Rico And The Commodity Exchange Act, Robert G. Lendino Jan 1988

Partaker Or Prey? Futures Commission Merchants Under Civil Rico And The Commodity Exchange Act, Robert G. Lendino

Fordham Urban Law Journal

Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) has a civil statutory scheme that broadly allows "any person" to recover damages if he has been injured in his business or property by reason of a defendant's violation of section 1962 the Act. While the statute was aimed at organized crime, it has been used far more against legitimate businesses. Courts continuously wrestle with the broad language of the statute. The author discusses two questions regarding the interpretation of Civil RICO that remain unanswered: whether the same entity can be the "culpable person" and the "enterprise" under Section 1962(a); and if so, …


Self-Love And The Judicial Power To Appoint A Special Prosecutor Symposium On Special Prosecutions And The Role Of The Independent Counsel, James A. Cohen Jan 1987

Self-Love And The Judicial Power To Appoint A Special Prosecutor Symposium On Special Prosecutions And The Role Of The Independent Counsel, James A. Cohen

Faculty Scholarship

Judicial appointment of private attorneys as special prosecutors has occurred and is permitted to occur in a variety of contexts other than when the executive branch is faced with a potential or actual conflict of interest. Until recently, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals and, of course, district courts within the Second Circuit, have interpreted Rule 42(b) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure to permit judicial appointment of a private attorney to prosecute conduct allegedly violative of a court order as criminal contempt. Courts have been most active in appointing private attorneys as special prosecutors in cases involving counterfeit …


Felony Murder And The Misdemeanor Of Attempted Escape: A Legislative Error In Search Of Correction, Peter J. Mcquillan Jan 1987

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.


New York's System Of Indeterminate Sentencing And Parole: Should It Be Abolished?, Jeanine M. Schupbach Jan 1985

New York's System Of Indeterminate Sentencing And Parole: Should It Be Abolished?, Jeanine M. Schupbach

Fordham Urban Law Journal

New York State's indeterminate sentencing and parole system of 1985 resulted in sentence disparity, uncertain and prolonged prison terms and prisoner unrest rather than in peaceful prison rehabilitation. The length of imprisonment and time of release under an indeterminate sentencing system are dependent upon the prisoner's need for and responsiveness to correctional treatment programs. In response to the problems of indeterminate sentencing, the federal government and several state legislatures abandoned or modified indeterminacy and have adopted a variety of fixed sentencing plans. This Note describes the history and development of the indeterminate sentencing and parole system. It exposes the flaws …


Death After Life: The Future Of New York's Mandatory Death Penalty For Murders Committed By Life-Term Prisoners, Andrea Galbo Jan 1985

Death After Life: The Future Of New York's Mandatory Death Penalty For Murders Committed By Life-Term Prisoners, Andrea Galbo

Fordham Urban Law Journal

This Note analyzes the relevant Supreme Court death penalty decisions from 1972 to 1985 in order to compare New York's mandatory death statute for life-term prisoners who murder with other state death penalty statutes that have been reviewed by the Supreme Court. After considering both the legal and nonlegal arguments, this Note concludes that there can not and should not be a mandatory death penalty for life-term prisoners who murder in New York. This Note recommends that the New York legislature draft a discretionary death penalty statute for life-term prisoners who murder. A discretionary death penalty statute, which provides for …


Civil Rico: A Call For A Uniform Statute Of Limitations, Michael J. Lane Jan 1985

Civil Rico: A Call For A Uniform Statute Of Limitations, Michael J. Lane

Fordham Urban Law Journal

RICO is a statute, originally developed to thwart organized crime. When read broadly, the statute, however, has been applied to non-organized crime activities. Thus, courts have now started applying four substantive requirements for use of the RICO statute: (1) requiring that the plaintiff must allege that the defendant has connection to organized crime, (2) limiting standing to a particular type of injury, (3) requiring the plaintiff to allege an enterprise distinct from the pattern of racketeering or from the defendant, and (4) permitting only civil RICO claims in instances where the defendant has been previously convicted of the predicate acts …


Executing Youthful Offenders: The Unanswered Question In Eddings V. Oklahoma, Rona L. Just Jan 1985

Executing Youthful Offenders: The Unanswered Question In Eddings V. Oklahoma, Rona L. Just

Fordham Urban Law Journal

The juvenile justice system was created to "treat" and to "rehabilitate" the juvenile offender. But transfers to the adult criminal system allows for juvenile offenders to receive the death penalty for capital crimes. This Note examines the theories of punishment underlying the death penalty, briefly discusses the creation of the juvenile court system and the mechanism of juvenile transfer. This Note then discusses the development of the death penalty by examining Supreme Court cases which have considered state laws challenged under the eighth amendment as forms of cruel and unusual punishment. Supreme Court decisions which have extended constitutional guarantees to …


Juvenile Detention Hearings: A Proposed Model Provision To Limit Discretion During The Preadjudicatory Stage, Carol Bombardi, Carol Bombardi, Carol Bombardi, Carol Bombardi Jan 1984

Juvenile Detention Hearings: A Proposed Model Provision To Limit Discretion During The Preadjudicatory Stage, Carol Bombardi, Carol Bombardi, Carol Bombardi, Carol Bombardi

Fordham Urban Law Journal

This Note addresses constitutional issues relevant to pretrial detention and identifies problematic aspects in the existing juvenile justice system. It examines state and model provisions regarding the detention of youths prior to trial and concentrates on the inclusion of the detention hearing as an element of detention schemes. This Note proposes a model state provision that utilizes the detention hearing to protect the preadjudicatory rights of juveniles and to reduce the risk that detention will be unnecessarily ordered.


Municipal Tort Liability For Criminal Attacks Against Passengers On Mass Transportation, Robert S. Ondrovic, Robert S. Ondrovic, Robert S. Ondrovic, Robert S. Ondrovic Jan 1984

Municipal Tort Liability For Criminal Attacks Against Passengers On Mass Transportation, Robert S. Ondrovic, Robert S. Ondrovic, Robert S. Ondrovic, Robert S. Ondrovic

Fordham Urban Law Journal

This Note discusses municipal tort liability for criminal attacks against passengers. The analysis focuses upon the liability of the New York City Transit Authority (TA). Comparisons are made to other mass transit systems in order to examine various theories concerning the duty owed by the municipally-run transit system to its passengers. Recommendations are offered to construct a clear standard of care with corresponding limits on liability. Further, this Note discusses various safety measures and will analyze the issues of whether the TA has assumed a duty to protect its passengers by developing such measures to combat subway crime and the …


Stop And Frisk In New York: Fleeing Suspects And Anonymous Tips, Kenneth M. Dorros, Kenneth M. Doros, Kenneth M. Doros, Kenneth M. Doros Jan 1984

Stop And Frisk In New York: Fleeing Suspects And Anonymous Tips, Kenneth M. Dorros, Kenneth M. Doros, Kenneth M. Doros, Kenneth M. Doros

Fordham Urban Law Journal

This Note focuses on two areas of uncertainty: the authority to stop and frisk fleeing suspects and the appropriate grounds to stop and frisk a suspect based on an anonymous tip. Four years ago, the ambiguities of a controversial New York Court of Appeals decision threw the lower courts into disarray as the standard of suspicion necessary to justify a police officer's pursuit of a fleeing suspect. This Note attempts to clarify those ambiguities and suggests a more reasonable approach for adoption by the court of appeals. This Note also explores the extent to which an anonymous tip can serve …


Retribution: New York's Answer To The Multiple Felony Offender, Edward P. Abbot Jan 1984

Retribution: New York's Answer To The Multiple Felony Offender, Edward P. Abbot

Fordham Urban Law Journal

On May 31, 1983, Governor Cuomo signed an amendment to the New York Penal Law into effect. This amendment significantly increases the maximum prison term for multiple felony offenders. This amendment is primarily a provision, which stems from a retributivist theory of punishment. The intent of this amendment is twofold: first, to do justice by implementing a punishment more proportionate to the severity of the offender's crime(s) and second, to incapacitate the offender by his extended removal from society. Retribution has been an accepted rationale for imposing punishment and remains so today. Thus, the statute deserves prompt judicial recognition.


The Effect Of External Pressures On Sentencing Judges, Eve Kunen Jan 1983

The Effect Of External Pressures On Sentencing Judges, Eve Kunen

Fordham Urban Law Journal

Aldoupolis v. Commonwealth illustrates three potential types of pressure on a sentencing judge: public opinion, opinions voiced by influential political figures, and opinions expressed by the press. This Comment explores the question of whether a sentencing judge may consider any of these pressures without violating the constitutional principles of procedural due process, the proscription against cruel and unusual punishment, equal protection, double jeopardy, and the common law-statutory proscription against abuse of discretion. Emphasis will be placed on public opinion, which often parallels the voices of those least heard by the criminal justice system: the victims.


Remarks Delivered At The Fordham-Stein Award Ceremony, William H. Webster Jan 1983

Remarks Delivered At The Fordham-Stein Award Ceremony, William H. Webster

Fordham Urban Law Journal

William H. Webster, Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation, delivered remarks upon presentation of the Fordham-Stein Award on October 28, 1982.


The Expanding Right To Counsel In New York, Debra M. Zverins Jan 1982

The Expanding Right To Counsel In New York, Debra M. Zverins

Fordham Urban Law Journal

A series of recent New York Court of Appeals decisions have upheld the right of a criminal suspect to have the assistance of an attorney at every stage of legal proceedings against him. This approach is considered by some to be problematic, imposing onerous burdens on police which impede effective law enforcement. This Note discusses the criminal defendant's pre-trial right to counsel in New York. Section II outlines the historical development of this fundamental right. Judicial expansions of the pre-trial right to counsel, including the People v. Bartolomeo decision, are analyzed in Section III with a view toward their effect …


Probable Cause Based On Inaccurate Computer Information: Taking Judicial Notice Of Ncic Operating Policies And Procedures, Patrick Hand Jan 1982

Probable Cause Based On Inaccurate Computer Information: Taking Judicial Notice Of Ncic Operating Policies And Procedures, Patrick Hand

Fordham Urban Law Journal

The National Crime Information Center (NCIC) is the most comprehensive computerized system for storing criminal justice information. It is managed by the FBI, but is used at the federal, state, and local level as an investigative tool. The use of computerized criminal information has raised questions in cases where an arrest was made relying on computer information which later proved to have been inaccurate. This Note discusses the fourth amendment implications of arrest based on inaccurate computer information and articulates the circumstances under which such an arrest should be upheld. NCIC safeguards are discussed and it is recommended that the …


Conjugal Violence: The Law Of Force And The Force Of Law , Maria Marcus Jan 1981

Conjugal Violence: The Law Of Force And The Force Of Law , Maria Marcus

Faculty Scholarship

The Article concludes that neither the impartial mission of the rule of law nor the neatly tooled goal of individual justice has been served by the governmental response to conjugal violence, and suggests the elements from which a valid approach may be constructed.


Criminal Discovery In New York: The Effect Of The New Article 240 , Thomas N. Kendris Jan 1980

Criminal Discovery In New York: The Effect Of The New Article 240 , Thomas N. Kendris

Fordham Urban Law Journal

Despite the many persuasive reasons for criminal discovery, its development in New York took place in a gradual, ad hoc manner. This led the New York State Legislature to enact the original article 240 in the Criminal Procedure Act (CPL) in 1971 which provided the courts with a consistent framework to discovery and significantly expanded an accused rights to evidence. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the original article 240, some significant problems that arose under it, and how the new enacted article 240 attempted to address the problems. The author then argues that the new statute could have …


Proposal For Determinate Sentencing In New York: The Effect On An Offender's Due Process Rights, John D. Winter Jan 1980

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.


Prisoners' Rights To Physical And Mental Health Care: A Modern Expansion Of The Eight Amendment's Cruel And Unusual Punishment Clause , Stuart Klein Jan 1979

Prisoners' Rights To Physical And Mental Health Care: A Modern Expansion Of The Eight Amendment's Cruel And Unusual Punishment Clause , Stuart Klein

Fordham Urban Law Journal

This article addresses the need for appropriate mental health care in the prison system. Applying the eighth amendment's cruel and unusual punishment clause, the article outlines the current system for medical care and psychological programs within jails and prisons. Focusing on the deficiencies of medical care, the article proposes adding support to the modernization of mental health care by recognizing that the eighth amendment applies not just to the terms of imprisonment but to the availability of care.


Entrapment Versus Due Process: A Solution To The Problem Of The Criminal Conviction Obtained By Law Enforcement Misconduct , Peter O'Connor Jan 1979

Entrapment Versus Due Process: A Solution To The Problem Of The Criminal Conviction Obtained By Law Enforcement Misconduct , Peter O'Connor

Fordham Urban Law Journal

This article contrasts the different approaches to dealing with entrapment: the due process rubric of the New York Court of Appeals and the predisposition framework set forth by the United States Supreme Court. The New York Court of Appeals reliance on government lawlessness rather than the Supreme Court's plurality focus on fourth and fifth amendment violations may cause less uncertainty and provide a better guidepost moving forward.


Closure Orders: Safeguard Of Fair Trial Or Prior Restraint, John G. Luboja Jan 1979

Closure Orders: Safeguard Of Fair Trial Or Prior Restraint, John G. Luboja

Fordham Urban Law Journal

This note addresses the competing constitutional guarantees of freedom of the press and the right to a fair trial by one's peers. Examining New York's ruling in Gannett, the note traces the history of each right and explores the need for each to be protected. Ultimately, the note cautions a liberal interpretation of the Gannett decision and rather asks the Supreme Court to find a balance between the rights of the accused and the rights of the press.


Constitutional Law- Due Process-Denial Of Inspection Of Personal Institutional File Does Not Violate A Parole Applicant's Right Of Due Process In The Second Circuit, Rabun Huff Bistline Jan 1979

Constitutional Law- Due Process-Denial Of Inspection Of Personal Institutional File Does Not Violate A Parole Applicant's Right Of Due Process In The Second Circuit, Rabun Huff Bistline

Fordham Urban Law Journal

Case note regarding the due process rights for parole applicants. In Williams v. Ward, the second circuit reversed the lower court and acknowledged that at the very least, some due process rights are guaranteed but that the disclosure of the parole file is not constitutionally guaranteed.


Discretionarily Enhanced Sentences Based Upon Suspected Perjury At Trial , Robert M. Wetterer Jan 1979

Discretionarily Enhanced Sentences Based Upon Suspected Perjury At Trial , Robert M. Wetterer

Fordham Urban Law Journal

A judge's discretion is a vital aspect of our judicial system. However, a judge must be cognizant of the impact that his decisions and his beliefs have upon a defendant's constitutional rights. This note addresses the concern of judges enhancing sentencing of defendants convicted of a crime because the judges feel that at trial, the defendant may have committed perjury. Ultimately, it is important that the defendant not be penalized without a proper trial or proceeding to determine whether or not perjury actually occurred. In doing so, rights are protected and justice is served.


Warrantless Arrests In Homes: Another Crisis For The Fourth Amendment , Darren O'Connor Jan 1979

Warrantless Arrests In Homes: Another Crisis For The Fourth Amendment , Darren O'Connor

Fordham Urban Law Journal

This comment addresses the distinction between a forcible entry for an arrest and one for a search. In doing so, the comment looks to the fourth amendment's bifurcated standard for searches and those for arrests. Balancing governmental interests with the privacy rights of individuals, the comment relays that a warrantless entry into the home for an arrest shall only be acceptable given certain exigent circumstances.