What is the rule 32 for Just Mercy?
Asked by: Dominique Barton MD | Last update: March 29, 2025Score: 5/5 (63 votes)
In the state of Alabama, a Rule 32 Petition requires State and local officials to turn over any and all available records and forms of evidence connected to the case of a convicted individual as part of a postconviction collateral appeal. Get the entire
What does the Rule 32 petition entitled Bryan Stevenson to access?
By filing a Rule 32 petition that would allow for another trial as long as new evidence could be presented, he would obtain a discovery including access to the prosecutor's files.
What is the rule 32 in Alabama?
It's called a “Rule 32 petition” because it's filed under Rule 32 of the Alabama Rules of Criminal Procedure. Generally speaking, someone would use a Rule 32 petition to attack their conviction once they've been convicted and once their appeals have gone final. A Rule 32 petition is how someone can get back into court.
How much time did the judge give Stevenson to make his case on the Rule 32 hearing?
Stevenson and Michael prepare for the Rule 32 hearing. A date is set, with a new judge to hear the case. Though Stevenson hopes the new judge will be impartial, he proves hostile and gives them only three days to present their witnesses and make their argument.
What happened in Chapter 7 of the Just Mercy?
Summary: Chapter Seven: Justice Denied—Part I
Walter's appeal has been denied. Stevenson feels genuinely surprised because he had presented valid arguments questioning the evidence and trial itself. He continues investigating the case, helped by a new hire for the nonprofit organization, Michael O'Connor.
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What is chapter 9 about in Just Mercy?
Chapter 9 opens on the day of Walter's hearing where Stevenson and Michael will present Ralph Myers's new testimony. They arrive at the courtroom and find dozens of Black community members supporting Walter. Stevenson explains that the state's case hinged entirely on Ralph's testimony, but Ralph lied.
Why is chapter 15 of Just Mercy called broken?
Summary: Chapter Fifteen: Broken—Part II
Stevenson realizes that he's surrounded by brokenness: clients broken by circumstances and a broken justice system. He considers quitting but eventually understands that he does this work because he is broken, too, from years of fighting injustice.
What is Rule 32 in court?
Rule 32 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure provides that the probation officer shall conduct a presentence investigation and submit a report to the Court at least seven days before the imposition of sentence, unless the Court finds that there is sufficient information in the record to enable the meaningful ...
What is the irony in the movie Just Mercy?
The main irony was that the murder happened in Monroeville, home town to Harper Lee, which just went to show how much Alabama had taken to heart the moral of To Kill A Mockingbird. Even before he got going on the case, the trial judge – aptly named Robert E Lee Key – tried to talk Stevenson out of it.
How many cases does the Supreme Court actually hand down a year?
In fact, the Court accepts 100-150 of the more than 7,000 cases that it is asked to review each year. Typically, the Court hears cases that have been decided in either an appropriate U.S. Court of Appeals or the highest Court in a given state (if the state court decided a Constitutional issue).
What does rule 32 mean?
Amendments Proposed by the Supreme Court Rule 32 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure deals with sentencing matters. Proposed subdivision (a)(2) provides that the court is not dutybound to advise the defendant of a right to appeal when the sentence is imposed following a plea of guilty or nolo contendere.
What is the mercy rule in Alabama?
In criminal cases, the so-called "mercy rule" permits a criminal defendant to introduce evidence of pertinent character traits of the defendant and the victim. See C. Gamble, Gamble's Alabama Rules of Evidence § 404(a)(1)(A) (2d ed.
What is the rule 32 appendix?
An appendix must comply with Rule 32(a)(1), (2), (3), and (4), with the following exceptions: (1) The cover of a separately bound appendix must be white. (2) An appendix may include a legible photocopy of any document found in the record or of a printed judicial or agency decision.
What is the rule 32 petition in Alabama?
A post-conviction habeas corpus petition challenges a criminal conviction or sentence because it is illegal or unconstitutional. In Alabama, Rule 32 of the Alabama Rules of Criminal Procedure governs state post-conviction challenges to a conviction or sentence.
Was Walter McMillian able to sue?
Civil lawsuit
It was appealed to the United States Supreme Court, which ruled against McMillian, holding that a county sheriff could not be sued for monetary damages. Subsequently, McMillian settled out of court with other officials for an undisclosed amount.
What is a stonecatcher Just Mercy?
Stonecatcher. Based on a story in the Bible, a stonecatcher is a person who eases the suffering of the accused by showing them compassion or forgiveness. In Just Mercy, the term symbolizes those who others can lean on to share some of their pain.
What does the chocolate milkshake represent in Just Mercy?
Stevenson uses the symbol of a chocolate milkshake the guard buys for Jenkins to show how this sort of deep understanding has the power to bring transformation and comfort to all involved.
What is the moral of Just Mercy?
It's a relationship that has only one message: No matter how different our lives look, all persons deserve our love and our willingness to ensure that they have the same justice and mercy that have been given to us throughout our own broken journeys.
What is the main message of Just Mercy?
Just Mercy emphasizes the importance of active resistance to unfair institutions. Bryan Stevenson describes the racism, corruption, and cruelty that pervade American court systems and lead to the systematic abuse of marginalized communities.
What is a Rule 32 Petition just mercy?
Final answer: A "Rule 32 Petition" is a legal motion for post-conviction relief, which Bryan Stevenson filed on behalf of Walter McMillian. This led to the overturning of McMillian's wrongful conviction due to new evidence and procedural errors in the original trial.
What is rule 33?
Without leave of court or written stipulation, any party may serve upon any other party written interrogatories, not exceeding 25 in number including all discrete subparts, to be answered by the party served or, if the party served is a public or private corporation or a partnership or association or governmental ...
What does it mean when a witness is put under the rule 32?
A change is made in new Rule 32(a), whereby it is made clear that the rules of evidence are to be applied to depositions offered at trial as though the deponent were then present and testifying at trial.
What is the trauma in Just Mercy?
The effects of trauma impact every individual in Just Mercy and continue to reverberate through their lives long after the traumatic events are over. Stevenson details trauma including severe physical and emotional abuse, sexual assault, and homelessness in the lives of his juvenile clients.
Why is Just Mercy called Just Mercy?
The title was chosen to help convey the book's message that justice and mercy are not mutually exclusive. Stevenson features his work on appeals for Walter McMillian, who is featured in the book.
What did Walter get diagnosed with Just Mercy?
Walter's doctor diagnoses him with advancing dementia related to trauma, and the doctor tells Stevenson that he expects Walter will soon be “incapacitated.” With Stevenson's help, Walter's family decides to put him in long-term care.