U.S. Supreme Court Related Links 2009 Year in Review 2009 News of the Nation 2009 News of the World Science News, 2009 Quizzes, 2009 "Top Ten" Lists of 2009 U.S. Statistics

DNA Test Not a Right, Supreme Court Rules

In June, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that prisoners do not have the right to request DNA testing to prove their innocence long after they are convicted of a crime. The majority of the members of the Court claimed that since 44 states already have laws in effect concerning post-conviction DNA testing, a federal law is unnecessary. However, Alaska, the state at the center of the case, does not have such a law. The minority opinion said DNA evidence is a part of due process, which means inmates are entitled to the information.

For more information on the U.S. Supreme Court:

• U.S. Supreme Court
• Current Supreme Court Members
• Milestones in Supreme Court History
• Supreme Court Facts