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.