2006-08-17 17:28:42 · 6 answers · asked by sdmandhj 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
They're pretty much unrelated.
The 1st Amendment protects freedom of expresison. The 4th, 5th and 6th Amendements set the bounds for the criminal justice system.
2006-08-17 17:35:57 · answer #1 · answered by coragryph 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
freedom of speech in the criminal justice system? i think we need you to explain what you mean. b/c any legal savvy person on here is going to say that freedom of speech is not an aspect of the criminal justice system. but, it may be how the question is phrased.
a witness can't just get on the stand and say whatever they want, or do whatever they want, to express themselves. there are rules of law that prohibit that b/c such thing may not be relevant to the case and the trial will never end!
but if you mean, why can a person be allowed to speak in a case? or give an opinion/statement in a case? or file a police report? well, that's just the country that we live in! :) our freedom to speak has nothing to do with a defendant's right to a fair trial. there are constitutional laws that distinguish the two.
2006-08-17 18:08:30 · answer #2 · answered by sexy law chick 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not? Many countries have justice systems that run without a "freedom of speech"...
2006-08-17 17:34:05 · answer #3 · answered by ///M5 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, people have the option (freedom) of speaking or not speaking. Witnesses need to have freedom of speech to testify for or against someone.
2006-08-17 17:35:22 · answer #4 · answered by tsopolly 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
England imposed sedition laws on the colonies prior to 1776. Look them up. You could be jailed for something you said or thought. Thought police. Not allowed under Constitution.
2006-08-17 18:39:41 · answer #5 · answered by frankie59 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe everyone should watch this video on the true meaning behind words in court. Learn to defend yourself... http://video.google.com/videoplay?d...
2006-08-20 07:12:24 · answer #6 · answered by Sugi 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋