Facts—Louisiana convicted Willie Francis, an African American citizen, of murder in September 1945 and sentenced him to be electrocuted for the crime. Upon a proper death warrant, Francis was prepared for execution on May 3, 1946, and was placed in…
Facts—A federal District Court in Connecticut (where there were numerous criminal penalties for gambling) convicted James Marchetti for violating federal statutes requiring the payment of an annual gambling occupational stamp tax and for failing to register before accepting wagers. These…
Facts—Armando Schmerber had been convicted of driving an automobile while under the influence of intoxicating liquor. He had been arrested at a hospital while receiving treatment for injuries suffered in an accident involving the automobile he had apparently been driving.…
Facts—William Malloy was arrested during a gambling raid in 1959 by police in Hartford, Connecticut. He was convicted and given a suspended sentence. Later a state court held him in contempt for refusing to answer questions on the basis of…
Facts—A number of persons had been subpoenaed to testify at a hearing conducted by the Waterfront Commission concerning a work stoppage at the Hoboken, New Jersey, piers. Even though they were granted immunity from prosecution under the laws of New…
Ullmann v. United States, 350 U.S. 422; 76 S. Ct. 497; 100 L. Ed. 511 (1956) Facts—Congress in 1954 passed the Immunity Act providing that whenever, in the judgment of a U.S. attorney, the testimony of any witness, or the…
Dickerson v. United States, 530 U.S. 428; 120 S. Ct. 2326; 147 L. Ed. 2d 405 (2000) Facts—In 1968 Congress adopted legislation designed to modify Miranda v. Arizona (1966) so as to accept voluntary confessions even in cases where police…
Argersinger v. Hamlin, 407 U.S. 25; 92 S. Ct. 2006; 32 L. Ed. 2d 530 (1972) Facts—A Florida court convicted Argersinger of carrying a concealed weapon. He was indigent and was unable to afford a lawyer. The offense was punishable…
Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436; 86 S. Ct. 1602; 16 L. Ed. 2d 694 (1966) Facts—This decision consolidated four cases that came from Arizona, New York, California, and the federal courts. In each the law enforcement officials had taken…
Escobedo v. Illinois, 378 U.S. 478; 84 S. Ct. 1758; 12 L. Ed. 2d 977 (1964) Facts—Danny Escobedo was convicted of fatally shooting his brother-in- law in Chicago. During the police questioning following his arrest, he was not permitted to…