The Common Law

Admissibility of lie detectors

"...the past, lie detectors, or polygraphs, have not been admissible at trial in most states. Many courts considered them..."

Aug. 26, 2005 Column by Luke Ellis

Letters @ 3AM

On September 28, key rights guaranteed by our Constitution, plus the central tenet of the Magna Carta, were nullified by an act of Congress – specifically, the Military Commissions Act of 2006

"...a self-incriminating statement spoken under "coercion"; "evidence shall be admissible if the military judge determines that the evidence would..."

Oct. 13, 2006 Column by Michael Ventura

Still Bleeding

APD Officer Jeff White's lawsuit against the department gives new life to allegations of corruption and retaliation.

"...ever pursued due to a lack of credible and admissible evidence."..."

May 31, 2002 News Feature by Jordan Smith

Spinning the Story

The APD and U.S. Attorney's official position on Mala Sangre

"...in connection with the investigation. Had there been credible admissible evidence that any officer had committed a federal criminal..."

Feb. 16, 2001 News Feature by Michael King

Something Nice for Paxton: New Resolution Would Apologize for Impeachment Trial

The boots almost lick themselves

"...basing its case on hearsay that would never be admissible in a court of law. Attorney General Paxton was..."

Oct. 11, 2023 News Post by Brant Bingamon

You Have a Right to Counsel. So Why Doesn’t Travis County Allow Attorneys at Bail Hearings?

Get out of jail free $10K

"...risk of accidentally recording attorney-client privileged communication (rendering it admissible at trial). The workgroup Aug. 1 said they've worked..."

Aug. 4, 2023 News Feature by Maggie Q. Thompson

Cop Who Killed Mike Ramos Wants Trial Moved to Deep-Red County

Supporters: judge’s ex-husband, Alex Jones-connected attorney

"...Mauris DeSilva, and say that information likely won’t be admissible at trial. They point out that at least three..."

July 28, 2023 News Post by Maggie Q. Thompson

Death Watch: Father Forgave, Texas Doesn’t

Sarah Walker’s dad asked for mercy for his daughter’s accused killer

"...the time of the trial, so the testimony was admissible. Today, the introduction of such evidence would be strongly..."

Aug. 12, 2022 News Feature by Brant Bingamon

What’s a Grand Jury, and Is It Being Manipulated to Indict Police Officers?

More cops are being indicted, but why all the secrecy?

"...small portion of material that would not have been admissible in court anyway. As for O'Connell and Ervin's other..."

June 24, 2022 News Feature by Brant Bingamon

How Are We Going to Vote?

While the U.S. moves toward voting by mail, Texas digs in its heels

"...ballot in the mail from county election officials. The admissible reasons remain absentee, 65 or older, confinement, or "disability"..."

June 12, 2020 News Feature by Michael King

Point Austin: So Long, It’s Been Good to Know Ya

After a couple of decades … bidding farewell

"...accustomed to thinking of Our Fair City as without admissible blemish, or (as Woody Guthrie sang of California) “a..."

March 27, 2020 News Column by Michael King

Council: For the Birds

Taking on bullhooks, FFF Fest, and more

"...value" are seldom equivalent, and the former isn't even admissible in court in contested cases (a notion that might..."

Aug. 14, 2015 News Feature by Michael King

Pot Brownies Case Moved to November

Hearing rescheduled for November, potential December trial

"...to enter the premises, Holmes said, and thus no admissible evidence...."

Sept. 5, 2014 News Post by Chase Hoffberger

Life for Baking Pot? Maybe Not

WilCo drug prosecution lacks probable cause and a warrant

"...thrown out for lack of a warrant and therefore admissible evidence. He filed the necessary paperwork to suppress evidence..."

July 24, 2014 News Post by Chase Hoffberger

Junking Junk Science?

Will bill reduce wrongful convictions?

"...grant relief where sufficient facts demonstrate that relevant, and admissible, scientific evidence contradicts that which the state used to..."

May 17, 2013 News Post by Jordan Smith

Where's Your Evidence?

Advances in forensic science have made physical evidence increasingly crucial in criminal justice – but the practice of preserving and maintaining that evidence is often underfunded, poorly managed, or just plain sloppy

"...if the evidence gets contaminated that it is not admissible in court," he says, that she was "sealing the..."

Feb. 15, 2013 News Feature by Jordan Smith

No Photo ID Necessary To Vote

"...birth certificate or other document confirming birth that is admissible in a court of law and establishes the person’s..."

Oct. 8, 2012 Postmarks

Tone Deaf

Deaf Austinites say police can't seem to listen to reason

"...Scott Perry. (Under Texas law, in order to be admissible in court, all statements from deaf suspects made during..."

Dec. 3, 2010 News Feature by Jordan Smith

Off the Record

Blazing Saddles: Willie Nelson campaigns for the Teapot Party

"...on those priors and therefore those arrests shouldn't be admissible to the court...."

Dec. 3, 2010 Music Column by Austin Powell

The Junk Science Conundrum

Legislators ponder how to keep questionable forensics out of the courtroom

"...those states is California, where DNA evidence has been admissible for at least two decades. Jeff Blackburn, IPOT general..."

Jan. 22, 2010 News Feature by Jordan Smith

The Common Law

2008 Election Questions

"...document confirming birth that establishes your identity and is admissible in a court of law,..."

Oct. 31, 2008 Column by Luke Ellis

Watch Out for Police

"...by visual estimation. This is, by the way, perfectly admissible in Austin Municipal Court, and you can and will..."

July 18, 2008 Postmarks

Yogurt Shop Murder

New evidence could hobble state's murder case

"...though it's uncertain whether any as-yet-unrevealed evidence would be admissible at trial. Meanwhile, Scott's new trial, which was slated..."

April 18, 2008 News Feature by Jordan Smith

The Revolting Door

The AFS Texas Documentary Tour: 'The Trials of Darryl Hunt'

"...conviction, DNA testing – newly recognized as reliable and admissible courtroom evidence – excluded Hunt as the rapist, but..."

Sept. 8, 2006 Screens Feature by Anne S. Lewis

Postmarks

Our readers talk back.

"...was plenty of evidence of her guilt, just no "admissible" evidence. Her claim of vindication is irksome. But Mr...."

Oct. 7, 2005 Column

Doesn't Like DeLay Nor Does He Like Earle Much Better

"...was plenty of evidence of her guilt, just no "admissible" evidence. Her claim of vindication is irksome. But Mr...."

Oct. 3, 2005 Postmarks

Who Killed Father Ryan?

A 1981 Odessa murder haunts crime researchers, the Catholic Church, and an ex-con determined to prove his innocence

"...not rule on whether the confession itself was legally admissible evidence since Reyos' appeal did not raise that question...."

June 17, 2005 News Feature by Jordan Smith

The Common Law

What is arbitration?

"...allow them to accept evidence that might not be admissible in court, question witnesses, and decide appropriate remedies...."

Feb. 25, 2005 Column by Luke Ellis

Will Supremes' Ruling Scuttle Yogurt-Shop Cases?

The high court's unanimous Sixth Amendment ruling gives hope to attorneys for Robert Springsteen and Michael Scott

"...1980, the Supremes have held that certain statements are admissible without confrontation, if deemed reliable by the trial judge..."

March 19, 2004 News Feature by Jordan Smith

Naked City

Headlines and happenings from Austin and beyond

"...does not grant total confidentiality, and compelled statements are admissible in some court proceedings. However, Garrity prohibits the government..."

Oct. 17, 2003 News Feature by Mike Clark-Madison

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