Ham Sandwich Nation: Due Process When Everything is a Crime
Glenn Harlan Reynolds
University of Tennessee College of Law
January 20, 2013
Abstract:
Though extensive due process protections apply to the investigation of crimes, and to criminal trials, perhaps the most important part of the criminal process -- the decision whether to charge a defendant, and with what -- is almost entirely discretionary. Given the plethora of criminal laws and regulations in today's society, this due process gap allows prosecutors to charge almost anyone they take a deep interest in. This Essay discusses the problem in the context of recent prosecutorial controversies involving the cases of Aaron Swartz and David Gregory, and offers some suggested remedies, along with a call for further discussion.
Number of Pages in PDF File: 6
Keywords: due process, criminal law, grand jury, plea bargain, overcriminalization, robert jackson, tim wu, harvey silverglate, gene healy
working papers series
Download This Paper Date posted: January 20, 2013
Suggested Citation
Reynolds, Glenn Harlan, Ham Sandwich Nation: Due Process When Everything is a Crime (January 20, 2013). Available at SSRN: ssrn.com
Contact Information Glenn Harlan Reynolds (Contact Author) University of Tennessee College of Law ( email )1505 West Cumberland Avenue
Knoxville, TN 37996-1810
United States
865-974-6744 (Phone) |
