NCJ Number
138327
Date Published
1992
Length
993 pages
Annotation
This supplement updates the third edition of the Criminal Law Digest, including over 2,000 digests of significant criminal law cases decided since publication of the digest. The digest covers State and Federal law as well as constitutional guarantees.
Abstract
The section on State crimes discusses the validity of criminal statutes in general, the construction and operation of criminal statutes, the nature and elements of specific crimes, capacity, parties, and defenses. The second section, covering State criminal procedures and ancillary proceedings, deals with jurisdiction and venue, preliminary proceedings, indictment and information, pretrial motions, discovery, guilty pleas, evidence, trial, jury, post-trial motions, sentencing and punishment, appeal and error, probation and pardon, prisoner proceedings, and ancillary proceedings. Separate sections cover the above topics in relation to Federal crimes and procedures. Under the rubric of constitutional guarantees, the digest outlines admissions and confessions; confrontation of witnesses; right to counsel; cruel and unusual punishment; double jeopardy; due process; equal protection; ex post facto; and freedoms of the press, religion, and speech and expression. Other topics include identification procedures; right to jury trial; propriety of exercise of police power; retroactivity of constitutional ruling; prohibition against unlawful searches and seizures; prohibition against self-incrimination; and right to speedy trial.