01:202:201 Lecture Notes - Lecture 9: Bench Trial, O. J. Simpson, Fourteenth Amendment To The United States Constitution
Document Summary
Excessive bail shall not be required nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishment inflicted. Bail: a sum of money deposited by a defendant with the court to ensure appearance at trial. The purpose of bail is to ensure that the defendant shows up at trial. Those that fail to appeal forfeit the bail money. There are few guidelines about what excessive is and judges have a wide discretion in regards to bail. Bail can be denied when the risk of flight is high. The supreme court has also ruled that suspects can be held without bail if they pose a potential danger or threat to the community (known as preventive detention) Right to counsel (lawyer, if cannot afford, given based on requirements) Right to speedy trial (cannot go on forever) Right to confront and cross examine witnesses (lawyer does this, treat others with respect, make sure they work for you)