defendant guilty absent error (District of Columbia) · Go Syfert
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defendant guilty absent error in District of Columbia

5 District of Columbia opinions name it 1 courts 2005–2025 1 in the last five years

The cases below were cited by District of Columbia courts in a sentence that names this issue. Sides come from how each citing opinion treated the case (Syfertize flag on that citation), so a case can appear on both: that is where the law is contested. A red or yellow chip is the case's own overall treatment.

Followed or applied (3)

CaseFollowedCited
Neder v. United Statesgreen
scotus · 1999 · cited in 4 District of Columbia opinions naming this issue, 2005–2010
2 sentences

2010We have found constitutional error harmless where the government presented “overwhelming evidence of guilt” or “it is clear beyond a reasonable doubt that a rational jury would have found the defendant guilty absent the error.” Smith v. United States, 966 A.2d 367, 391 (D.C.2009) (quoting Harrington v. California, 395 U.S. 250, 254 , 89 S.Ct. 1726 , 23 L.Ed.2d 284 (1969) and Neder v. United States, 527 U.S. 1, 18 , 119 S.Ct. 1827 , 144 L.Ed.2d 35 (1999)) (internal quotation marks omitted).

2010We have found constitutional error harmless where the government presented “overwhelming evidence of guilt” or “it is clear beyond a reasonable doubt that a rational jury would have found the defendant guilty absent the error.” Smith v. United States, 966 A.2d 367, 391 (D.C.2009) (quoting Harrington v. California, 395 U.S. 250, 254 , 89 S.Ct. 1726 , 23 L.Ed.2d 284 (1969) and Neder v. United States, 527 U.S. 1, 18 , 119 S.Ct. 1827 , 144 L.Ed.2d 35 (1999)) (internal quotation marks omitted).

14
Gardner v. United Statesgreen
dc · 2010 · cited in 1 District of Columbia opinions naming this issue, 2025–2025
1 sentence

2025“We have found constitutional error harmless 31 where the government presented overwhelming evidence of guilt or it is clear beyond a reasonable doubt that a rational jury would have found the defendant guilty absent the error.” Gardner v. United States, 999 A.2d 55, 58 (D.C. 2010) (internal quotation marks omitted). 3 First, the cross-examination of Sergeant Batton plus the instructions provided by the trial court substantially mitigated any prejudice.

11
Smith v. United Statesgreen
dc · 2009 · cited in 1 District of Columbia opinions naming this issue, 2010–2010
2 sentences

2010We have found constitutional error harmless where the government presented “overwhelming evidence of guilt” or “it is clear beyond a reasonable doubt that a rational jury would have found the defendant guilty absent the error.” Smith v. United States, 966 A.2d 367, 391 (D.C.2009) (quoting Harrington v. California, 395 U.S. 250, 254 , 89 S.Ct. 1726 , 23 L.Ed.2d 284 (1969) and Neder v. United States, 527 U.S. 1, 18 , 119 S.Ct. 1827 , 144 L.Ed.2d 35 (1999)) (internal quotation marks omitted).

2010Even if the government had presented more convincing evidence, we cannot underestimate the weight that juries give to forensic evidence, particularly DNA evidence. 17 Without the evidence that the appellant had the victim’s blood on his clothing, it is certainly not “clear beyond a reasonable doubt that a rational jury would have found the defendant guilty absent the error.” Smith, supra, 966 A.2d at 391 .

11

Distinguished, questioned or overruled (0)

CaseNegativeCited
No negative-treatment citations attached to this issue in District of Columbia. Read the followed side critically anyway.

Also cited on this issue (7)

CaseCitedYears
Harrington v. California red
scotus · 1969
2 sentences

2010We have found constitutional error harmless where the government presented “overwhelming evidence of guilt” or “it is clear beyond a reasonable doubt that a rational jury would have found the defendant guilty absent the error.” Smith v. United States, 966 A.2d 367, 391 (D.C.2009) (quoting Harrington v. California, 395 U.S. 250, 254 , 89 S.Ct. 1726 , 23 L.Ed.2d 284 (1969) and Neder v. United States, 527 U.S. 1, 18 , 119 S.Ct. 1827 , 144 L.Ed.2d 35 (1999)) (internal quotation marks omitted).

2010We have found constitutional error harmless where the government presented “overwhelming evidence of guilt” or “it is clear beyond a reasonable doubt that a rational jury would have found the defendant guilty absent the error.” Smith v. United States, 966 A.2d 367, 391 (D.C.2009) (quoting Harrington v. California, 395 U.S. 250, 254 , 89 S.Ct. 1726 , 23 L.Ed.2d 284 (1969) and Neder v. United States, 527 U.S. 1, 18 , 119 S.Ct. 1827 , 144 L.Ed.2d 35 (1999)) (internal quotation marks omitted).

22009–2010
Fields v. United States green
dc · 2008
1 sentence

2009The relevant inquiry is whether the government can show “beyond a reasonable doubt that the error complained of did not contribute to the verdict obtained,” Chapman, 386 U.S. at 24 , 87 S.Ct. 824 ; whether at trial the government presented “overwhelming evidence” of guilt, Harrington v. California, 395 U.S. 250, 254 , 89 S.Ct. 1726 , 23 L.Ed.2d 284 (1969); “whether the guilty verdict actually rendered ... was surely unattributable to the error,” Sullivan v. Louisiana, 508 U.S. 275, 279 , 113 S.Ct. 2078 , 124 L.Ed.2d 182 (1993) 45 ; or whether-it is “clear beyond a reasonable doubt that a ratio

12009–2009
Sullivan v. Louisiana green
scotus · 1993
2 sentences

2009The relevant inquiry is whether the government can show “beyond a reasonable doubt that the error complained of did not contribute to the verdict obtained,” Chapman, 386 U.S. at 24 , 87 S.Ct. 824 ; whether at trial the government presented “overwhelming evidence” of guilt, Harrington v. California, 395 U.S. 250, 254 , 89 S.Ct. 1726 , 23 L.Ed.2d 284 (1969); “whether the guilty verdict actually rendered ... was surely unattributable to the error,” Sullivan v. Louisiana, 508 U.S. 275, 279 , 113 S.Ct. 2078 , 124 L.Ed.2d 182 (1993) 45 ; or whether-it is “clear beyond a reasonable doubt that a ratio

2009The relevant inquiry is whether the government can show “beyond a reasonable doubt that the error complained of did not contribute to the verdict obtained,” Chapman, 386 U.S. at 24 , 87 S.Ct. 824 ; whether at trial the government presented “overwhelming evidence” of guilt, Harrington v. California, 395 U.S. 250, 254 , 89 S.Ct. 1726 , 23 L.Ed.2d 284 (1969); “whether the guilty verdict actually rendered ... was surely unattributable to the error,” Sullivan v. Louisiana, 508 U.S. 275, 279 , 113 S.Ct. 2078 , 124 L.Ed.2d 182 (1993) 45 ; or whether-it is “clear beyond a reasonable doubt that a ratio

12009–2009
Chapman v. California red
scotus · 1967
2 sentences

2009The relevant inquiry is whether the government can show “beyond a reasonable doubt that the error complained of did not contribute to the verdict obtained,” Chapman, 386 U.S. at 24 , 87 S.Ct. 824 ; whether at trial the government presented “overwhelming evidence” of guilt, Harrington v. California, 395 U.S. 250, 254 , 89 S.Ct. 1726 , 23 L.Ed.2d 284 (1969); “whether the guilty verdict actually rendered ... was surely unattributable to the error,” Sullivan v. Louisiana, 508 U.S. 275, 279 , 113 S.Ct. 2078 , 124 L.Ed.2d 182 (1993) 45 ; or whether-it is “clear beyond a reasonable doubt that a ratio

2009The relevant inquiry is whether the government can show “beyond a reasonable doubt that the error complained of did not contribute to the verdict obtained,” Chapman, 386 U.S. at 24 , 87 S.Ct. 824 ; whether at trial the government presented “overwhelming evidence” of guilt, Harrington v. California, 395 U.S. 250, 254 , 89 S.Ct. 1726 , 23 L.Ed.2d 284 (1969); “whether the guilty verdict actually rendered ... was surely unattributable to the error,” Sullivan v. Louisiana, 508 U.S. 275, 279 , 113 S.Ct. 2078 , 124 L.Ed.2d 182 (1993) 45 ; or whether-it is “clear beyond a reasonable doubt that a ratio

12009–2009
Delaware v. Van Arsdall green
scotus · 1986
2 sentences

2008Van Arsdall, 475 U.S. at 680 , 106 S.Ct. 1431 . [Tjhere lies the need for evidence in all its particularity to satisfy the jurors’ expectations about what proper proof should be.

2008Van Arsdall, 475 U.S. at 680 , 106 S.Ct. 1431 . [Tjhere lies the need for evidence in all its particularity to satisfy the jurors’ expectations about what proper proof should be.

12008–2008
Schneble v. Florida green
scotus · 1972
2 sentences

2005“Thus, unless there is a reasonable possibility that the improperly admitted evidence contributed to the conviction, reversal is not required.” Schneble v. Florida, 405 U.S. 427, 432 , 92 S.Ct. 1056 , 31 L.Ed.2d 340 (1972); see also Neder v. United States, 527 U.S. 1, 18 , 119 S.Ct. 1827 , 144 L.Ed.2d 35 (1999) (stating that erroneous admission or exclusion of evidence in violation of Fifth or Sixth Amendment rights is subject to a harmless error inquiry that asks “Is it clear beyond a reasonable doubt that a rational jury would have found the defendant guilty absent the error?”); Morten, supr

2005“Thus, unless there is a reasonable possibility that the improperly admitted evidence contributed to the conviction, reversal is not required.” Schneble v. Florida, 405 U.S. 427, 432 , 92 S.Ct. 1056 , 31 L.Ed.2d 340 (1972); see also Neder v. United States, 527 U.S. 1, 18 , 119 S.Ct. 1827 , 144 L.Ed.2d 35 (1999) (stating that erroneous admission or exclusion of evidence in violation of Fifth or Sixth Amendment rights is subject to a harmless error inquiry that asks “Is it clear beyond a reasonable doubt that a rational jury would have found the defendant guilty absent the error?”); Morten, supr

12005–2005
Morten v. United States green
dc · 2004
2 sentences

2005“Thus, unless there is a reasonable possibility that the improperly admitted evidence contributed to the conviction, reversal is not required.” Schneble v. Florida, 405 U.S. 427, 432 , 92 S.Ct. 1056 , 31 L.Ed.2d 340 (1972); see also Neder v. United States, 527 U.S. 1, 18 , 119 S.Ct. 1827 , 144 L.Ed.2d 35 (1999) (stating that erroneous admission or exclusion of evidence in violation of Fifth or Sixth Amendment rights is subject to a harmless error inquiry that asks “Is it clear beyond a reasonable doubt that a rational jury would have found the defendant guilty absent the error?”); Morten, supr

2005“Thus, unless there is a reasonable possibility that the improperly admitted evidence contributed to the conviction, reversal is not required.” Schneble v. Florida, 405 U.S. 427, 432 , 92 S.Ct. 1056 , 31 L.Ed.2d 340 (1972); see also Neder v. United States, 527 U.S. 1, 18 , 119 S.Ct. 1827 , 144 L.Ed.2d 35 (1999) (stating that erroneous admission or exclusion of evidence in violation of Fifth or Sixth Amendment rights is subject to a harmless error inquiry that asks “Is it clear beyond a reasonable doubt that a rational jury would have found the defendant guilty absent the error?”); Morten, supr

12005–2005

Where else courts name it

WI 129 (2002–2026) CA 75 (1999–2026) MI 59 (2001–2025) IL 28 (2001–2025) VA 28 (2017–2026) NV 16 (2000–2025) ID 10 (2010–2022) DC 5 (2005–2025) FL 5 (2007–2018) NC 5 (2005–2005) OK 4 (2004–2016) TN 3 (2000–2014) CT 3 (2000–2020) TX 3 (2008–2008) IN 3 (2019–2020) MS 2 (2010–2014) NM 2 (2004–2004)

Opinions by the citing court's state. A doctrine retained in one state and abandoned in another shows up here as a year span that stalls.

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