Missouri v. McNeely, No. 11–1425, __U.S. __ (April 17, 2013).

Rejects argument that “the natural metabolization of alcohol in the bloodstream presents a per se exigency that justifies an exception to the Fourth Amendment’s warrant requirement for nonconsensual blood testing in all drunk-driving cases,” and holds instead “that exigency in this context must be determined case by case based on the totality of the circumstances.”

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Bailey v. United States, No. 11–770, __ U.S. __ (Feb. 19, 2013).

The Fourth Amendment rule allowing occupants of premises to be temporarily seized while a warrant is executed is limited to persons “in the immediate vicinity” of the premises to be searched.

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Missouri v. Fry, No. 10–444, 566 U.S. __ (Mar. 21, 2012).

The Sixth Amendment right to the effective assistance of counsel imposes on defense counsel “the duty to communicate formal offers from the prosecution to accept a plea on terms and conditions that may be favorable to the accused.”

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Lafler v. Cooper, No. 10–209, 566 U.S. __ (Mar. 21, 2012).

Addresses “how to apply Strickland’s [Sixth Amendment ineffective assistance of counsel] prejudice test where ineffective assistance results in a rejection of the plea offer and the defendant is convicted at the ensuing trial.”

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Melendez-Diaz v. Massachusetts, No. 07-591, __ U.S. __ (June 25, 2009)

Admission of government lab technicians’ sworn “certificates of analysis” that substance taken from defendant was cocaine violated defendant’s Sixth Amendment Confrontation Clause right; the certificates were “affidavits” and within the “core class of testimonial statements” defined in Crawford v. Washington.

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