June 2021 - Federal Criminal Law Center

Prosecutorial Promises of Immunity: Lessons From the Bill Cosby Case

Posted by Marcia Shein
On June 20, 2021
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In a surprise to many, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court recently overturned Bill Cosby’s 2018 convictions for sexual assault. See Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Cosby, No. 39 MAP 2020 (Pa. Supreme Court June. 30, 2021). Not only were Cosby’s convictions overturned, but the court ruled that he could not be retried. The case has important lessons […]

Erroneous Jury Instruction as the Basis for Post-Conviction Appeals

Posted by Marcia Shein
On June 2, 2021
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Under US constitutional law, all criminal trials must be conducted before juries. Generally speaking, the jury’s role is to hear the evidence and make a determination of innocence or guilt. However, after all the evidence has been presented and before the jury begins to deliberate, the judge must give instructions to the jury. In a […]