Melendez-Diaz v. Massachusetts

Melendez-Diaz v. Massachusetts (2009) was a Supreme Court case that ruled forensic lab reports used as evidence in court are considered testimonial. This means they require the defendant's right to cross-examine the analyst who prepared the report, as part of the Sixth Amendment. The decision emphasized that such reports are critical evidence, and relying on them without allowing the defendant to challenge their accuracy violates constitutional rights. The ruling helps protect defendants by ensuring they have a fair opportunity to question the integrity and reliability of forensic evidence presented against them.