Entries tagged with “Due Process”
Aug 14, 2025
Funding Shortfall for Criminal Justice Act Could Impact Quality and Availability of Legal Representation for Indigent Defendants, Including Capital Defendants
As of July 3, 2025, the Criminal Justice Act (CJA) program has run out of funds for the current fiscal year, threatening the quality and availability of federal defense counsel for the overwhelming majority of criminal defendants who cannot afford to hire their own lawyers. The budget Congress approved for the CJA program in March is $129 million less than what was requested by the Federal Judiciary. As a consequence, CJA appointed defense teams have been denied…
Jul 29, 2025
Defendants Petition the Pennsylvania Supreme Court Alleging Washington County District Attorney Abused His Discretion in Death Penalty Cases
On July 22, 2025, attorneys with the Atlantic Center for Capital Representation filed a petition on behalf of two criminal defendants — Jordan Clarke and Joshua George — alleging Washington County District Attorney Jason Walsh has demonstrated a pattern of improperly threatening or seeking death sentences in violation of the United States Constitution and the Pennsylvania Constitution. The attorneys are asking the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to use its“extraordinary…
Jul 14, 2025
New Louisiana Legislation Will Limit Post-Conviction Appeals, Endangering Innocent Prisoners in an Attempt to Expedite Executions
Recent legislation signed by Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry drastically restricts the ability of prisoners to challenge their convictions, which those opposed to the law have argued could lead to the execution of innocent prisoners. HB 675, signed into law in June 2025, imposes strict time limits on post-conviction relief applications and introduces“abandonment” rules that cut off appeal options for prisoners who fail to meet the law’s strict deadlines. The…
Jun 23, 2025
In Unusual Move, Texas Attorney General Requests Execution Date for Robert Roberson Before a Court Has Heard New Evidence of His Actual Innocence
On June 16, 2025, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a motion in the Anderson County District Court requesting a new execution date for Robert Roberson, despite the fact that a motion from defense counsel with new evidence in support of Mr. Roberson’s actual innocence remains pending. As the *Dallas Morning Editorial Board* notes, it is“unusual” that “\[AG\] Paxton’s office is involved” in requesting the execution date. AG Paxton has actively sought Mr. Roberson’s…
Jun 12, 2025
Counsel for Ralph Menzies Appeal Competency Ruling as State Moves to Set Execution Date
On June 6, 2025, District Judge Matthew Bates issued a ruling finding Utah death-sentenced prisoner Ralph Menzies mentally competent to be executed despite concerns presented by Mr. Menzies’ attorneys about his vascular dementia. In his ruling, Judge Bates agreed that Mr. Menzies suffers from vascular dementia but said Mr. Menzies had failed to show“by a preponderance of the evidence that his mental condition prevents him from reaching a rational…