Case Law

Tennessee v. Garner (1985)

Deadly force cannot be used unless it prevents a suspect from fleeing or if they pose a threat to officers or others.

Terry v. Ohio (1968)

Stop and frisk laws allow officers to pat down individuals for weapons to ensure officer safety.

Chimel v. California (1969)

A search without a warrant can occur after an arrest, known as a search incident to a lawful arrest.

United States v. Drayton (2002)

Police are not required to inform individuals that they can refuse a search without a warrant.

Miranda v. Arizona (1966)

Established Miranda rights, including the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney.

Berghuis v. Thompkins (2010)

Individuals must verbally assert their Miranda rights.

Weeks v. United States (1914)

Established the exclusionary rule at the federal level.

Mapp v. Ohio (1961)

Extended the exclusionary rule to the state level.

Strickland v. Washington (1984)

In death penalty cases, defendants have the right to effective counsel and can appeal based on ineffective assistance.

United States v. Salerno and Cafero (1987)

Defendants can be held without bail to prevent committing further crimes before conviction.

Boykin v. Alabama (1969)

Defendants must voluntarily enter and understand their guilty plea.

North Carolina v. Alford (1970)

Allows individuals to accept a plea deal while maintaining their innocence.

Missouri v. Frye (2012)

Protects 6th amendment rights, guaranteeing right to counsel during plea bargaining.

Williams v. Florida (1970)

Juror size can be less than 12, with a minimum of 6 jurors being constitutional.

Witherspoon v. Illinois (1968)

Jurors can be constitutionally excluded for not supporting the death penalty through voir dire.

Furman v. Georgia (1972)

Found the application of the death penalty unconstitutional, effectively suspending it.

Gregg v. Georgia (1976)

Reinstated the death penalty with requirements for separate sentencing and consideration of circumstances.

McCleskey v. Kemp (1987)

Appeal regarding racial discrimination in death penalty cases was rejected by the courts.

Atkins v. Virginia (2002)

Unconstitutional to impose the death penalty on individuals with mental illness.

Roper v. Simmons (2005)

Unconstitutional to impose the death penalty for crimes committed by minors.