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Slide 2: Workshop Objectives

• Content:
  • Understand the fundamental concept of due process.
  • Illustrate how due process is applied across the three subdomains of the criminal justice system: Law Enforcement, Courts, and Corrections.
  • Analyze the interplay of criminal justice policies and procedures in high-profile cases.
  • Recognize the interconnectedness of these subdomains in case processing.
  • Empower you to clearly explain these complexities to victims.
• Speaker Notes: By the end of this session, our goal is for you to have a clear grasp of what due process means, how it impacts each stage of a criminal investigation and trial, and why it's a cornerstone of our justice system. We'll use a real-world example to bring these concepts to life, specifically the case of Aaron Hernandez.

Slide 3: Case Overview: The Crime & The Victim

• Content:
  • Victim: Odin Lloyd (27), semi-professional football player.
  • Defendant: Aaron Hernandez (23), former NFL tight end for the New England Patriots.
  • Crime: Murder of Odin Lloyd on June 17, 2013, near Hernandez's North Attleboro, Massachusetts home.
  • Context: Lloyd was dating the sister of Hernandez's fiancée.
  • Image: Photo of Odin Lloyd (respectful depiction), and a professional photo of Aaron Hernandez.
• Speaker Notes: We'll start with a brief overview of the case. Odin Lloyd was a talented young man, and his life was tragically cut short. Aaron Hernandez, a prominent figure in professional football, became the central figure in the subsequent murder investigation. This case garnered significant media attention due to Hernandez's high profile, offering a public lens into the intricacies of the justice system.

Slide 4: Law Enforcement's Role: Investigation & Arrest

• Content:
  • The Discovery: Lloyd's body found on June 17, 2013, by a jogger in an industrial park.
  • Investigation: Police quickly identified Hernandez as a key person of interest due to evidence linking his rental car to the crime scene, text messages between Lloyd and Hernandez, and surveillance footage.
  • Legal Basis for Arrest: Probable Cause. Based on mounting evidence (e.g., cell phone data, home surveillance destruction, rental car keys found in Hernandez's home, specific footwear impressions at the scene), law enforcement developed probable cause to believe Hernandez was involved in Lloyd's murder.
  • Policies/Procedures Applied:
    • Search Warrants: Police obtained warrants to search Hernandez's home and vehicles, allowing legal seizure of potential evidence (e.g., cell phones, clothing, security footage).
    • Miranda Rights: Hernandez was read his Miranda rights upon arrest, informing him of his right to remain silent and right to an attorney.
  • Image: Police tape, a search warrant document.
• Speaker Notes: This stage highlights law enforcement's diligent work. Their primary objective was to investigate the crime thoroughly and establish probable cause before making an arrest. The issuance of search warrants ensured that evidence was collected legally, respecting Hernandez's Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable searches and seizures. Crucially, the reading of Miranda rights upheld his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination, a fundamental aspect of due process.

Slide 5: The Courts: Pre-Trial Phase

• Content:
  • Arraignment: Hernandez was formally charged with murder and five weapons-related counts on June 26, 2013.
  • Right to Counsel: Hernandez immediately invoked his right to counsel, and skilled defense attorneys represented him throughout the process.
  • Bail Guidelines: Due to the severity of the charges (first-degree murder) and flight risk concerns, Hernandez was denied bail. This decision followed established bail guidelines balancing public safety and the defendant's right to freedom before trial.
  • Grand Jury Indictment: A grand jury reviewed the evidence presented by the prosecution and formally indicted Hernandez on August 22, 2013, determining there was sufficient evidence to proceed to trial.
  • Pre-Trial Motions: Defense filed numerous motions (e.g., to suppress evidence based on alleged unlawful searches), challenging the prosecution's case and ensuring due process.
  • Image: Courtroom gavel, legal documents.
• Speaker Notes: Once arrested, the case moved into the court system's pre-trial phase. This phase is crucial for ensuring the defendant's fundamental due process rights are protected. Hernandez had the immediate right to an attorney. The denial of bail, while seemingly harsh to some, adheres to legal standards for capital offenses. The grand jury process, though often criticized, provides a check on prosecutorial power. Pre-trial motions are a vital mechanism for the defense to challenge the legality of the evidence, further upholding due process.

Slide 6: The Courts: Trial Phase

• Content:
  • Jury Selection (Voir Dire): Extensive process over several weeks to select 12 jurors and 6 alternates, aiming for impartiality. Both prosecution and defense questioned potential jurors.
  • Presentation of Evidence: Prosecution presented witness testimony (including ballistics experts, forensics, surveillance footage analysts) and physical evidence. Defense presented its case, challenging witness credibility and evidence.
  • Cross-Examination: Both sides had the right to cross-examine opposing witnesses, a core due process right to confront accusers.
  • Closing Arguments: Both sides summarized their cases for the jury.
  • Jury Instructions: The judge provided detailed legal instructions to the jury on how to apply the law to the facts presented.
  • Jury Deliberations: The jury carefully reviewed evidence and arguments to reach a verdict.
  • Verdict: On April 15, 2015, Aaron Hernandez was found guilty of first-degree murder and five weapons charges.
  • Image: Jury box, witness stand.
• Speaker Notes: The trial itself is the most visible manifestation of due process. The meticulous jury selection process aimed to secure an impartial jury, guaranteeing a fair trial. The presentation of evidence, allowing both sides to call witnesses and present arguments, coupled with the right to cross-examine, upholds the Sixth Amendment right to confront accusers. The judge's detailed jury instructions are critical for ensuring the jury correctly applies the law. The verdict signifies the conclusion of this phase, reflecting the jury's determination based on the evidence presented.

Slide 7: The Courts: Sentencing & Appeals

• Content:
  • Sentencing: Following the guilty verdict, Hernandez was sentenced to life in prison without parole for the murder of Odin Lloyd. Massachusetts had no capital punishment at the time.
  • Truth in Sentencing: The "life without parole" sentence reflects policies designed to ensure convicted felons serve a substantial portion of their sentences, aligning with truth in sentencing principles.
  • Appeals Process: Hernandez filed an appeal of his conviction.
  • Level of Appeal Court: The appeal was filed with the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC), the highest court in the state.
  • Outcome of Appeal (Posthumous): Hernandez died by suicide in April 2017 while his appeal was pending. Under Massachusetts law at the time, his conviction was abated, meaning it was vacated as if it never happened. This specific policy was later changed.
  • Image: Court of Appeals building, prison bars.
• Speaker Notes: After conviction, the sentence is imposed, adhering to state sentencing guidelines. Hernandez's life sentence without parole was a reflection of Massachusetts law. The right to appeal is a crucial due process protection, allowing for a review of legal errors that may have occurred during the trial. In Hernandez's unique case, his death before the appeal was decided led to a legal abatement of his conviction under then-existing Massachusetts law, a specific state policy that later changed due to public outcry.

Slide 8: Criminal Justice Policies/Procedures in Action (2 Examples)

• Content:
  • Policy Example 1: Search Warrants & Exclusionary Rule (Law Enforcement & Courts)
    • Description: Police sought and executed multiple search warrants based on probable cause. If evidence were found to be illegally obtained (e.g., warrant lacking probable cause, exceeding scope), it could have been subject to the exclusionary rule, preventing its use in trial.
    • Impact on Case: Law enforcement's meticulous adherence to warrant procedures ensured crucial evidence (e.g., surveillance video, cell phone data) was admissible, directly contributing to the prosecution's case. Defense motions to suppress evidence often rely on challenging these procedures.
  • Policy Example 2: Jury Selection (Voir Dire) & Impartial Jury (Courts)
    • Description: The lengthy voir dire process (jury selection) allowed both sides to question potential jurors to uncover biases. Jurors were dismissed if they couldn't be impartial, even given Hernandez's celebrity status.
    • Impact on Case: This policy is fundamental to the Sixth Amendment right to a fair trial. It aimed to ensure Hernandez was judged by an unbiased jury, despite intense media scrutiny, directly upholding due process.
• Image: Scales of justice with "Rules of Evidence" and "Fair Jury" icons.
• Speaker Notes: Let's look closer at two policies. First, search warrants and the exclusionary rule. Police must obtain valid warrants. Any evidence obtained without proper procedure can be excluded, impacting a case significantly. In Hernandez's case, the thorough warrant process was critical to the prosecution. Second, jury selection. The extensive process of "voir dire" ensures that the defendant's Sixth Amendment right to an impartial jury is protected. This was especially challenging in a high-profile case like Hernandez's, demonstrating the system's commitment to fairness.

Slide 9: Due Process Applied: A Deeper Look

• Content:
  • Law Enforcement Subdomain:
    • Fourth Amendment: Protection against unreasonable searches and seizures (e.g., police requiring a warrant to search Hernandez's home and seize evidence).
    • Fifth Amendment: Right against self-incrimination (e.g., Hernandez being read his Miranda rights upon arrest).

Sample Answer

Below is a detailed outline for a 10-12 slide Microsoft PowerPoint presentation, tailored for newly hired victim's advocates. The chosen case for this presentation is the Commonwealth of Massachusetts v. Aaron Hernandez for the murder of Odin Lloyd.

PowerPoint Presentation Outline: Due Process in Action

Audience: Newly Hired Victim's Advocates Case Study: Commonwealth of Massachusetts v. Aaron Hernandez (Odin Lloyd Murder)

Slide 1: Title Slide

• Title: Navigating Justice: Understanding Due Process in Criminal Cases
• Subtitle: A Workshop for Victim's Advocates
• Image: A balanced scale of justice, or a symbolic image representing the criminal justice system.
• Presented by: [Your Name/Your Organization Name]
• Date: June 12, 2025
• Speaker Notes: Good morning/afternoon, everyone. Welcome to this essential workshop for our newly hired victim's advocates. My name is [Your Name], and today we're going to delve into a critical aspect of the criminal justice system: due process. Understanding how due process functions throughout a criminal case is vital for you to effectively guide and support victims and their families, especially when explaining the rights afforded to a defendant.