Post by Logan on Jan 13, 2016 14:11:18 GMT -6
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court is raising doubts about whether Puerto Rico should be treated as a sovereign state with powers that go beyond its status as a territory of the United States.
Justices weighed the question during arguments in a criminal case involving two men who claim Puerto Rico and the federal government can't both prosecute them for the same crime.
The double-jeopardy principle generally prevents defendants from being tried twice for the same offense. But there is an exception that allows prosecution under similar state and federal laws, since states are considered separate sovereigns.
Several justices said Puerto Rico's power to enforce local laws really comes from Congress, which in theory could take it away. Justice Elena Kagan says Congress is "in the driver's seat."
bigstory.ap.org/article/d0d9a073ab0c41a399f32ec86745936b/high-court-raises-doubts-over-puerto-rico-sovereignty
Cross-posted on the National and International News board.
Justices weighed the question during arguments in a criminal case involving two men who claim Puerto Rico and the federal government can't both prosecute them for the same crime.
The double-jeopardy principle generally prevents defendants from being tried twice for the same offense. But there is an exception that allows prosecution under similar state and federal laws, since states are considered separate sovereigns.
Several justices said Puerto Rico's power to enforce local laws really comes from Congress, which in theory could take it away. Justice Elena Kagan says Congress is "in the driver's seat."
bigstory.ap.org/article/d0d9a073ab0c41a399f32ec86745936b/high-court-raises-doubts-over-puerto-rico-sovereignty
Cross-posted on the National and International News board.