Kansas v. Cheever

Brief of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers as Amicus Curiae in Support of Respondent.

Brief filed: 07/29/2013

Documents

Kansas v. Cheever

United States Supreme Court; Case No. 12-609

Prior Decision

Decision below 295 Kan. 229, 284 P.3d 1007 (2012).

Argument(s)

Asserting a valid mental-state defense does not waive Fifth Amendment Protections. The State’s per se waiver rule is contrary to the zealous protection of a defendant’s Fifth Amendment privilege. The State’s per se  waiver rule creates an intolerable choice between constitutional rights. The State’s per se waiver rule is unnecessary. Presenting evidence of voluntary intoxication does not waive Fifth Amendment protections. Kansas follow a majority of states in allowing the voluntary intoxication defense.

Author(s)

Jeffrey T. Green and Jeffrey S. Beelaert, Sidley Austin LLP, Washington, DC; Barbara E. Bergman, Albuquerque, NM.