Colorado's Rape Shield Statute

Essay # 57713

Criminology
Law > Constitution
Women Studies

Discussion of the constitutionality of Colorado's rape shield legislation, including the challenge to the statute by Kobe Bryant's legal defense team.

1,524 words () | 9 sources | APA | 2004 United States

Paper Summary:

This essay provides a thorough discussion of the history of Colorado's rape shield legislation, as well as related federal rules of evidence, and how it has held up to multiple challenges throughout the years. The paper also includes references to case law that has played a substantial role in maintaining this very important piece of legislation. Lastly, the paper describes the legal battle that ensued when Kobe Bryant's attorneys attempted to challenge the constitutionality of the statute and, ultimately, lost.

From the Paper:

"Most Americans acknowledge the shame and embarrassment felt by rape victims who must testify against their accusers in court. It is already known that a substantial majority of rape cases go unreported in America each year, presumably due to the risk of humiliation of sexual assault victims. Nearly every state in the country, under pressure from feminist groups, attorneys, and legislators, has enacted rape shield legislation to ease the emotional suffering of rape victims and encourage more victims to come forward in the absence of having their sexual past exposed."

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APA Citation:

Colorado's Rape Shield Statute (2012, January 15). Retrieved February 13, 2012, from http://www.academon.com/Essay-Colorado's-Rape-Shield-Statute/57713