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Introduction of Nolo Plea to Challenge Prisoner’s Credibility was Error
Introduction of Nolo Plea to Challenge Prisoner’s Credibility was Error
by David M. Reutter
The Third Circuit Court of Appeals held in January 2014 that a Pennsylvania federal district court erred when it allowed into evidence a nolo contendere (no contest) plea for the purpose of challenging …
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More from this issue:
- When Halfway Houses Pose Full-Time Problems, by Derek Gilna
- Prison Legal News Prevails in Tennessee Public Records Suit in Spite of Sheriff’s Antics
- “Ban the Box” Campaigns Seek to End Discrimination Against Formerly Incarcerated College Applicants, by Victoria Law
- Pennsylvania’s Megan’s Law Struck Down, Some Prisoners Released, by David Reutter
- Colorado Prisoner Sues Security Guard Who Sexually Abused Her Moments after Giving Birth
- News in Brief
- Florida Supreme Court: Review of Parole Commission Revocation Order Limited, by David Reutter
- Fifth Circuit Holds Prison Officials Need Not be Named in Grievances, by Matthew Clarke
- Georgia: Mandamus Available to Compel Law Library Access, by David Reutter
- Malpractice Suit Proceeds against Michigan Defense Attorney in Wrongful Conviction Case, by David Reutter
- The Globalization of Supermax Prisons, edited by Jeffrey Ian Ross (Rutgers University Press, 2013). 240 pages, $28.95 paperback, by Gary Hunter
- Jail Closes “God Pod,” Agrees to Accommodate Muslim Prisoners
- California Parole Term Not Shortened by Improper Parole Denial, by Mark Wilson
- Introduction of Nolo Plea to Challenge Prisoner’s Credibility was Error, by David Reutter
- Ohio DOC Director Wants Return to Stricter Law after 2012 Spike in Positive Drug Tests
- Florida Court of Appeals: Prison Guards Can Raise “Stand Your Ground” Defense, by Matthew Clarke
- Fifth Circuit: Sleep Deprivation May Violate Eighth Amendment, by Matthew Clarke
- West Virginia Public Defender Disbarred for Child Prostitution “Hoax”
- $145,000 Settlement for U.S. Citizen Held on Immigration Detainer due to Racial Profiling
- Prisoner’s Request for Medical Care after Signing Refusal Form Precludes Summary Judgment, by David Reutter
- Investigation Finds that Money Stolen from Oregon Prison Wasn’t Really Stolen, by Joe Watson
- America’s Prisons: A Road to Nowhere, by Ben Notterman
- RLUIPA Explained in Tenth Circuit Decision re Denial of Sweat Lodge Access, by David Reutter
- Consent Decree and Remedial Plan End Lawsuit Challenging Conditions in Illinois Juvenile Facilities, by Matthew Clarke
- Tennessee Man Sues for Placement in Women’s Facility for Three Years
- Tenth Circuit: No Qualified Immunity for Juvenile Restraint Chair Punishment, by Mark Wilson
- CCA Board Member Steps Down from Open Government Organization
- Virginia Prison’s Policy Requiring Physical Indicia of Faith for Religious Sincerity Held Unconstitutional; Suit Settles for $3,795, by David Reutter
- Florida Death Row Prisoner Entitled to Prison and Medical Records, by David Reutter
- State Appellate Costs Improper on Washington PRP Dismissal, by Mark Wilson
- Texas Prison Population Drops as Guard Shortage Persists, by Matthew Clarke
- Federal Court Orders Colorado to Provide Outdoor Recreation to Supermax Prisoner, by Matthew Clarke
- Admission of Jail Disciplinary Records at Criminal Trial May Violate Confrontation Clause, by David Reutter
- Oklahoma Supreme Court Remands Consolidated Sex Offender Registration Case, by Shepherd Litsey
- From the Editor, by Paul Wright
- Controversy, Criticism Plague Brooklyn Halfway House, by Derek Gilna
More from David Reutter:
- Tenth Circuit: Colorado Governor Unentitled to Eleventh Amendment Immunity on Claim Related to DOC Religious Policies, Aug. 1, 2026
- Michigan Appeals Court: Witnesses Cannot be Forced to Wear Jail Clothes at Trial, Aug. 1, 2026
- Sixth Circuit Affirms Denial of State-Law Qualified Immunity in Scabies Case, Aug. 1, 2026
- Fourth Circuit Revives Disabled Prisoner’s Claim for Denial of Out-of-Cell Exercise Time, Aug. 1, 2026
- Sixth Circuit Announces State-Law Exceptions to Appeal Deadlines Preserve “Pending” Status Under AEDPA, Holding Belated-Appeal Procedures Toll Federal Habeas Limitations Period, April 1, 2026
- Florida Supreme Court Announces Rule 3.170(f)’s Good-Cause Plea-Withdrawal Standard Does Not Apply at Post-Appeal Resentencing, April 1, 2026
- Colorado Supreme Court Announces Defendant Must Be Competent Before Undergoing Mental-Condition Examination Under § 16-8-107(3)(b), April 1, 2026
- California Court of Appeal Announces Plea Agreements Cannot Bar § 1172.1 Resentencing, Holds Merit-Based Denial of Petition Is Appealable, April 1, 2026
- Georgia Supreme Court Clarifies That Failure to Object to Ineligible Juror Does Not Constitute Waiver Unless Party Knew or Could Have Discovered Ineligibility Through Ordinary Diligence, April 1, 2026
- Washington State Guard’s Conviction Affirmed in Self-Inflicted Gunshot Wound Scheme, March 1, 2026
More from these topics:
- At Least Three Guards Charged for Assaulting Two Massachusetts Prisoners, Aug. 1, 2026. Guard Misconduct, Guard Brutality/Beatings, Assaults on Staff, Wrongful Use of Force.
- Ombudsman Report Finds Use of Force Misapplied in Contraband Search, Aug. 1, 2026. Guard Misconduct, Failure to Treat, Body Cavity Searches, Guard Brutality/Beatings, Pepper Spray/Tear Gas.
- $1.2 Million for Elderly Detainee Shoved Out the Door of Sacramento Jail by Guard, Aug. 1, 2026. Guard Brutality/Beatings, Americans with Disabilities Act, Rehabilitation Act, Failure to Treat (Mental Illness), 42 U.S. Code § 1983, civil action for deprivation of rights.
- $6.35 Million Paid for Ohio Jail Detainee’s Spinal Cord Injury Caused by Guard, Aug. 1, 2026. Guard Misconduct, Malpractice, Guard Brutality/Beatings, Settlements, Wrongful Use of Force.
- San Diego Guard Sentenced for Shoving a Shackled Detainee, Aug. 1, 2026. Guard Misconduct, Guard Brutality/Beatings, False Statements/Perjury, Wrongful Use of Force.
- Wave of Staff Arrests Exposes Persistent Misconduct at South Carolina Jail, Aug. 1, 2026. Staff-Prisoner Assault, Guard Misconduct, Jail Misconduct, Guard Brutality/Beatings, Obstruction of Justice.
- CoreCivic’s Long Record of Abuse and Neglect in Tennessee, June 1, 2026. Corrections Corporation of America/CoreCivic, Systemic Medical Neglect, Guard Brutality/Beatings, Medical Neglect/Malpractice.
- Warden, Four Other Louisiana Jailers Indicted for Brutalizing Compliant Detainees with Riot Shield, June 1, 2026. Guard Misconduct, Guard Brutality/Beatings, Stun Guns/Tasers, Pepper Spray/Tear Gas, Wrongful Use of Force.
- $112,500 Paid to Former New Mexico Prisoner Denied Public Records of Excessive Force by Guards, June 1, 2026. DOC/BOP misconduct, Guard Brutality/Beatings, Settlements, Public Records Act, False Imprisonment.
- $75,000 for Pennsylvania Prisoner’s Excessive Force Claim Against Jail Guard, June 1, 2026. Failure to Treat, Guard Brutality/Beatings, 42 U.S. Code § 1983, civil action for deprivation of rights, Monell Liability, Wrongful Use of Force.

