WICKERSHAM COMMISSION REPORTS - MOONEY BILLINGS REPORT

• NCJ Number: 44538
• Author(s): Z CHAFEE; W H POLLAK; C S STERN; T A HALLERAN
• Date Published: 1968
• Length: 247 pages
• Publication Type: Historical Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: PATTERSON SMITH REPRINT SERIES IN CRIMINOLOGY, LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND SOCIAL PROBLEMS

Annotation

A 1931 REPORT DISCUSSES A SERIES OF COMPLEX CASES AS EXAMPLES OF UNFAIR PROSECUTION.

Abstract

THE ISSUES IN THE MOONEY-BILLINGS CASE WERE CONSIDERED DIFFERENT IN CHARACTER FROM THE ISSUES IN THE NUMEROUS CASES TREATED IN A SEPARATE UNFAIR PROSECUTION REPORT. IN THOSE CASES, THE CHARACTERISTIC PROBLEM WAS OF ONE PARTICULAR ACT OF ALLEGED UNFAIRNESS; THE INCLUSIVE ISSUE IN THE MOONEY-BILLINGS CASE WAS WHETHER THERE WAS A CONTINUOUS AND SYSTEMATIC COURSE BY THE PROSECUTION, WORKING UNFAIRLY TO THE DISADVANTAGE OF THE DEFENDANTS. THE REPORT STATES THE OCCASION OF THE CRIME AND OUTLINES THE COURSE OF THE SUBSEQUENT PROCEEDINGS, INCLUDING CONDUCT PRECEDING THE TRIALS, CONDUCT, DURING THE TRIALS, AND PROCEEDINGS SUBSEQUENT TO THE TRIALS. THE REPORT DISCUSSES VIOLATIONS OF THE LAW, INFRACTIONS OF RULES, AND MISCONDUCT BY THE AUTHORITIES DURING THE PROCEEDINGS.