I have spent many years protecting the rights of defendants.

But civil liberties groups say the rights of defendants must be retained.

They said it would undercut the rights of criminal defendants.

"The emphasis is more on procedure than substance, but we also emphasize the rights of defendants."

"The other side of the coin is that courts are now giving greater attention to the rights of defendants."

The decision safeguards the rights not only of defendants but of potential jurors as well.

Several prosecutors said, however, that the court as a whole had leaned more toward protecting the rights of defendants than of the state.

Sharma cited the constitutional rights of defendants not to testify against themselves.

While lawyers and judges hear a great deal in their training about the rights of defendants, they learn very little about dealing with victims.

There is a danger that majority opinion, outraged, will want to reduce the rights of defendants in criminal trials.