What long-standing evidentiary rule was altered by the U.S. Supreme Court case of Melendez-Diaz v. Massachusetts? How was the rule altered? What was a major concern of the four Justices who dissented in the case?
What will be an ideal response?
One exception to evidence and Confrontation Clause rules permitted purely scientific evidence to be admitted through a report. Unless a defendant had evidence to challenge the validity of such a test, courts in most states and in the federal system admitted scientific reports without requiring the scientist or lab attendant to testify. The Melendez-Diaz case altered this by requiring testimony from the scientist and not allowing the lab report to stand on its own. Dissenters expressed concern that the requirement of having analysts testify in all cases in which scientific reports are introduced would be burdensome, expensive, and often difficult to implement. The Court reaffirmed Melendez-Dias in the 2011 case Bullcoming v. New Mexico, where the use of a surrogate lab technician who testified on behalf of the technician who conducted a blood alcohol test was invalidated by the Court as contrary to the Confrontation Clause.
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One of the critical findings in the Rochester Youth Development Study was that
a) the impact of family remained high throughout adolescence. b) children more attached to and involved with parents were less involved in delinquency. c) delinquent behavior had little or no effect on family dynamics within the home. d) delinquent peers had little effect on the development of antisocial behavior.
Can you list reasons why an incarcerated prisoner should not have to make restitution to a victim? Assume that you are the prisoner's advocate and must convince a judge of your position
What will be an ideal response?
___________ consists of methods to identify a person based on his or her unique physical characteristics, such as fingerprints or facial configuration.
A. DNA B. Forensic evidence C. Biometrics D. All of these are correct.
Which of the following is true of child pornography?
A. Drawings and sketches of children in nude or sexually oriented poses are not covered under federal and state laws on child pornography. B. Strong empirical evidence shows that child pornography causes child molestation. C. Child pornography distribution is limited to a high-risk underground system that uses the mail and personal contact. D. Mere possession of child pornography and explicit materials, even without knowledge or intent, constitutes a crime under federal law.