Eyewitness Identification Evidence
 
While very dramatic at trial, eyewitness evidence can be unreliable. Numerous scientific studies have been conducted on the accuracy of eyewitness identification. Some social scientists estimate that erroneous eyewitness identification is responsible for a large percentage of wrongful convictions. However, jurors tend to believe that eyewitness testimony is accurate. This article discusses the factors that affect the accuracy of eyewitness identification and what the courts are doing to reduce the number of wrongful convictions. More...
 
Statutes of Limitations and Statutes of Repose
 
Statutes of limitations are laws that limit the time a person has to file a lawsuit after an event occurs that gives that person a legal claim. The underlying reasons for statutes of limitations are: to ensure fairness to the the person being sued; to encourage the prompt prosecution of claims; to suppress stale and fraudulent claims; and to avoid the inconvenience caused by delay especially the difficulties of proof in older cases. Once the statute of limitations runs or expires, a person being sued can raise the defense of the statute of limitations.More...
 
Drug Courts
 
Drug-related crimes are widespread, and specialized courts have been set up to deal with drug cases. Drugs courts recognize the connection between addiction and criminal behavior. Many addicts commit crimes to get money to support their drug habits. Drug courts use a therapeutic justice model, which includes treatment services to address defendants' substance abuse problems. Almost all states currently have drug courts, and some states have set up juvenile drug courts to handle delinquency cases involving juveniles with substance abuse issues.More...
 
Settlement Conferences in State Appellate Courts
 
The increased volume of appeals in cases has led to significant delays in finalizing an appeal. This has prompted state appellate courts to re-evaluate their case management procedures and adopt methods that promote speedier resolution of appellate cases. This article focuses on the use of settlement conferences prior to oral argument to reduce the backlog of cases and accelerate the appeal process. The stated goals of settlement conference programs are to encourage the settlement of appeals, simplify the issues, expedite appeals, and reduce costs. More...
 
Impeachment of Federal Judges
 
Under the United States Constitution, the President of the United States, with the approval of the United States Senate, appoints federal judges. Federal judges are appointed for life but can be removed from office by impeachment.More...