Articles Index

Jury Patriotism Act: The Best Answer?

Due to fewer jurors showing up when called, the American Legislative Exchange Council has proposed model state legislation for the Jury Patriotism Act, to make jury service more appealing, rewarding and more difficult to skip.

Death Penalty - The Only Justice for Killers?

If justice is served by putting a murderer to death, in what way is it served? Both sides of the death penalty issue offer strong arguments. With which do you agree?

Death Penalty for Juveniles

There are 73 people on death row in the United States who were 16 or 17 years old when they committed their crimes. Is the death penalty for juveniles uncivilized?

Supreme Court To Decide Fairness of Shackling in Death Case

The Supreme Court will decide if criminals rights are violated when they are forced to wear shackles during the penalty phase of their trials.

Hate Crime Laws and Sexual Orientation

There are several controversial issues surrounding hate crime legislation, including questions about freedom of speech violations, but the most hotly debated issues have arisen from the inclusion in the laws of protection of sexual orientation.

Mandatory Drug Sentencing Laws

In reaction to a virtual wave of cocaine being smuggled into the country and cocaine addiction reaching epidemic proportions in the 1980s, the U.S. Congress and many state legislatures adopted new laws that stiffened the penalties for anyone convicted of trafficking illegal drugs.

The Patriot Act: Probable Cause and Due Process

Both liberal and conservative groups alike have criticized the U.S. Patriot Act, passed in the wake of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, because they say it violates probable cause and due process rights protected by the Constitution of the United States.