Monthly Archives: March 2011

The privilege of not being compelled to testify against one’s husband or wife has ancient roots.  Writing in 1628, Lord Coke observed that “It hath been resolved by the justices that a wife cannot be produced either against or for … Continue reading →

Article I, section 14 of the California Constitution provides that “[a] person unable to understand English who is charged with a crime has a right to an interpreter throughout the proceedings.”  Failure of a trial court to make inquiries regarding … Continue reading →

911 calls can constitute hearsay.  In criminal cases statements that are hearsay violate a defendant’s right of confrontation under the Due Process Clause of the United States Constitution.  In Crawford v. Washington (2004) 541 U.S. 36, the Supreme Court held … Continue reading →