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Full-Text Articles in Law
Judicial Interference With Effective Advocacy By The Defense, Bennett L. Gershman
Judicial Interference With Effective Advocacy By The Defense, Bennett L. Gershman
Elisabeth Haub School of Law Faculty Publications
A fundamental premise of the American criminal justice system is defense counsel's zealous professional advocacy. Representation of a criminal defendant to be effective must be vigorous. In administering a trial, judges have a duty to ensure a fair and orderly proceeding. On occasion, however, judges overstep the line and impede defense counsel's advocacy functions unfairly. This article describes some of the ways that trial judges may violate legal and ethical standards by improperly interfering with defense counsel's courtroom functions.
Judicial Misconduct During Jury Deliberations, Bennett L. Gershman
Judicial Misconduct During Jury Deliberations, Bennett L. Gershman
Elisabeth Haub School of Law Faculty Publications
The author considers the two principal types of improper judicial behavior that may occur during the jury deliberation process. Judicial conduct that attempts to place undue pressure on a jury to reach a verdict may include verdict-urging instructions, threats and intimidation, and inquiry into the numerical division of the jury on the merits of the verdict. Judicial participation in private, ex parte communications with jurors may also subvert orderly trial procedure and undermine the impartiality of the jury. Neither kind of judicial conduct may be allowed to compel a verdict from a jury.