Resource Library
New to the Resource Library?
Learn how to navigate, search, and use our resources effectively.
Leary v. United States
The Supreme Court ruled the Marihuana Tax Act violated Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination and due process. The law unconstitutionally assumed illegal importation without proof.
Boykin v. Alabama
The Supreme Court ruled a guilty plea requires a voluntary waiver of rights with full understanding. The record lacked this proof, invalidating the plea and reversing the conviction.
McCarthy v. United States
The Supreme Court ruled that guilty pleas must be canceled if the judge fails to ensure the defendant understands the charges and consequences. Defendants can re-plead when proper legal procedures are not strictly followed.
People v. Moore
The court reversed a drug possession conviction. A warrantless search violated the defendant's Fourth Amendment rights, making the evidence inadmissible.
Powell v. Texas
The Supreme Court upheld a Texas law against public intoxication, ruling it targeted conduct, not a status, and therefore did not violate the Eighth Amendment.
United States v. Moore
The D.C. Circuit upheld a heroin possession conviction, rejecting an addiction defense due to scientific uncertainty and congressional deference. The court remanded for possible treatment through a diversion program.
Dillon v. Legg
The California Supreme Court ruled that a mother could recover for emotional distress after witnessing her child's death. This established factors for such claims, including proximity and direct observation.
Bailey v. United States
The Court upheld a warrantless search based on probable cause for heroin offenses. It also rejected an addiction defense as a bar to criminal liability.
United States v. Wade
The Sixth Amendment guarantees a defendant's right to counsel at post-indictment lineups. An in-court identification is allowed only if it comes from a source independent of the uncounseled lineup.
Driver v. Hinnant
The court ruled that jailing a chronic alcoholic for public intoxication was unconstitutional. Alcoholism was recognized as a disease, making such conduct involuntary and not punishable.
Easter v. District of Columbia
The court ruled that chronic alcoholism is a defense to public intoxication, finding it unconstitutional to criminalize the condition. This decision protects individuals with alcoholism from cruel punishment.
People v. Victor
The court upheld a narcotics conviction, finding the defendant's prior drug-seeking behavior disproved the entrapment defense.
Brown v. United States
The court reversed a conviction, finding the defendant was wrongly denied court assistance to develop an insanity defense based on drug addiction. He was entitled to support for this defense.
Castle v. United States
The D.C. Circuit affirmed a conviction, ruling that addiction alone does not constitute legal insanity. The court upheld the jury's role in determining criminal responsibility.
People v. Ortiz
The court reversed a heroin conviction, ruling police entry and search lacked legal justification and violated constitutional protections.