It sounds like the name of a bad boxing movie starring Sly Stallone, but it is actually an important part of the constitution that gives all of us the right to know and respond to the evidence against us if we are accused of a crime. Without it, we would be forced to go to trial against secret evidence and unnamed witnesses. With it, the state, with very few exceptions, must have any witnesses against us speak in court where we have the right, generally through our attorney to cross examine them. The state is also required to disclose ahead of time evidence that they will use against us. This may seem like obscure legal theory, but believe me, if you are ever accused of a crime, you will be glad that it exists.
Why do different states have different laws?
I get asked the question all of the time, why are the laws different in each state, and, why do people need to get different lawyers when they have legal issues in other states. The answer goes back to the founding of our country, we have always had a federal system,...