Only the worst defendants are in prison clothes or shackles, that's because it predisposes the jury to think that they are guilty, so it is rarely done.
You're saying the best defendants are required to appear in prison garb, and the worst defendants get to be nicely dressed?
That doesn't seem to be the case. Your "not" in that sentence appears to completely reverse your intended meaning, unless you agree with my above question.
Only the worst defendants are in prison clothes or shackles, that's because it predisposes the jury to think that they are guilty, so it is rarely done.
{edit to remove a double negative)
When did this happen? I've been to plenty of trials of non-violent offenders who were in prison clothes and shackles.
Do a search for the term "mistrial declared because prisoner was in shackles" and you'll see tons of cases. Here is one such.
https://news-bulletin.com/mistrial-declared-as-jurors-see-suspect-in-chains-prison-garb/
Thanks for the update. I saw this as a major problem about a decade ago, but the trials and hearings I've witnessed were not those with juries.
notSorry, but you're wrong.
You're saying the best defendants are required to appear in prison garb, and the worst defendants get to be nicely dressed?
That doesn't seem to be the case. Your "not" in that sentence appears to completely reverse your intended meaning, unless you agree with my above question.
No. Try reading it again.
Ah. Thanks.