More than 90 percent of federal criminal convictions arise from a plea deal. Consequently, for almost every convicted defendant, the sole opportunity to address the court and share his or her story ...

In United States v. Lajeunesse, the Second Circuit (Leval, Chin, Lee) vacated the conviction of a criminal defendant denied an opportunity to personally address the court during his sentencing hearing ...

All criminals and lawbreakers must go before a judge in the court of law after authorities detain them or issue a promise to appear. The judge is the one who's ultimately in control. They will decide ...