1. Rights of the accused
5th, 6th, 8th amendments

2. 5th amendment You do not have to testify against yourself
Miranda rights: you have the right to remain silent
You may not be tried for the same crime twice (no double jeopardy)
Eminent Domain: government may seize your property for public use with “just compensation”

3. 6th amendment Speedy, public trial Impartial jury of your peers
Informed of the crimes you’re accused of
Hear witnesses and evidence against you
Can get witnesses to testify in your favor
Right to an attorney
Miranda rights: if you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided

4. 8th Amendment
Prohibits cruel or unusual punishment, and excessive bail or fines

5. Plea Bargains
Prisoner pleads guilty (usually to a lesser charge) in exchange for a lighter sentence
95% of felony convictions in the United States are the result of plea bargains
Results in higher prison population

6. Juveniles and Sentencing
2010: Supreme Court rules that sentencing minors who have not committed homicide to life in prison is cruel and unusual

7. After the Trial
The United States is the world’s leader in incarceration, with 2.3 million people locked up; this is a 500% increase over the last thirty years.
Federal Prison Statistics
TOTAL CORRECTIONS POPULATION Total Incarcerated, Prison and Jail 2,297,400
Probation Population4,203,967
Parole Population 819,308
JUVENILES IN CUSTODY 86,927
CORRECTIONS EXPENDITURES: $52.3 billion

8. CA Prison Statistics:
Total Incarcerated, Prison and Jail 252,269
Probation Population312,046
Parole Population106,035
JUVENILES IN CUSTODY 14,034
STATE CORRECTIONS EXPENDITURES $9.5 billion
Late September 2011: governor Brown signs bill to send 20,000 prisoners to county jails; many will be released since the counties can’t handle them