In Melendez-Diaz v. Massachusetts, the defendant was convicted of drug possession. 129 S.Ct. 2527 (2009). The conviction went all the way up to the Supreme Court of the United States. The Supreme Court reversed the defendant’s drug conviction because the trial court violated the defendant’s Sixth Amendment rights.
In Melendez, the trial court admitted the prosecutions certificates by laboratory analysts, stating that the material seized by police and connected to the defendant was cocaine of a certain quantity. When the trial court admitted the certificates, this prohibited the defense from being able to cross-examine the laboratory analysts who created the certificates. Because the defense was not able to cross-examine the witness on their procedures and policies, this violated the defendant’s Sixth Amendment right to confront the witnesses against him.
It is important to contact a criminal defense attorney who can provide clarity in terms of your rights under the Constitution. If you or someone you love has been accused of a crime in California, contact the experienced Southern California criminal defense lawyers at Wallin & Klarich today at 1-888-280-6839 or www.wklaw.com for a consultation of your case. We can help you.
