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Evaluating and understanding the function of case law is vital to the learning the criminal court process. Using the website Oyez or Justia US Law, research an influential criminal court case law. Select a case from the list below and provide the following information: facts of the case (case name, parties, what happened, and judgement), issues (what is in dispute), holding (the applied rule of law), and rationale (reason for the holding). Choose from the following cases:
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Knowles v. Iowa (1998)
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Indianapolis v. James (2001)
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Kyllo v. United States (2001)
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Ferguson v. City of Charleston (2001)
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Groh v. Ramirez (2004)
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Hudson v. Michigan (2006)
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After examining case law, explain how case law provides clarification, expectations, or interpretation of the Constitution. Why is the Supreme Court so important to the criminal court process? Select one of the Constitutional Amendments discussed in the chapter, and using the internet, conduct a search of case law that addresses the amendment. For example: 5th Amendment Search – Case law and the 5th Amendment
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“Society uses laws (rules designed to control citizens’ behaviors) so that these behaviors will conform to societal norms, cultures, mores, traditions, and expectations.” As our society continues to become more heterogeneous and more norms/cultures are present, how does the criminal process keep pace with the changes in society? How do we protect the historical intentions of the Constitution considering the changing nature of society? What are the restrictions and potential conflicts that occur?