What is the role of the United States Supreme Court in criminal cases?

The role of the United States Supreme Court in criminal cases is to ensure that the state criminal laws conform to the U.S. Constitution. The Supreme Court is responsible for determining whether or not a criminal law of any state is constitutional or not. This means it is responsible for making sure all states abide by the Constitution and provides a paramount set of laws that all states must comply with. When a state has a law that violates the U.S. Constitution, the Supreme Court will take jurisdiction in the form of certiorari to make sure the law is overturned. Once the Supreme Court issues this opinion, it is binding and all states must abide by it. In Kansas, the Supreme Court has used its power to overturn several laws that were deemed unconstitutional. In 2020, the Supreme Court overturned a state law that made it easier for prosecutors to impose mandatory minimum sentences on criminal defendants. The court ruled that this law violated the 8th Amendment and was an intrusion on the judge’s authority to exercise discretion in sentencing. The Supreme Court’s role in criminal cases in Kansas is to ensure that all laws are in compliance with the U.S. Constitution and that all states are held to the same standards. This power ensures that defendants in the state have the same rights as those outlined in the Constitution.

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What is the role of the United States Supreme Court in criminal cases?

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