[JURIST] Here's a run-down of law-related events, expected developments and live webcasts on JURIST's docket for Tuesday, April 18.

The US Supreme Court [official website] hears oral arguments in two cases beginning at 10 AM ET today. In the first, Bradshaw v. Stumpf [Duke Law School case backgrounder], 04-637, the Court consider whether an explanation by defense counsel of the elements of a crime sufficient to establish the voluntariness of a guilty plea and whether the state's use of inconsistent evidence at a later trial violates the due process right of an earlier defendant who pleaded guilty. The ABA has merit briefs in the case. In the second, Mayle v. Felix [Duke Law School case backgrounder], 04-563, the Court will whether an amendment to a habeas petition that adds a new claim relates back to the filing of the petition for purposes of the one-year statute of limitations. The ABA has merit briefs in the case.

The US Senate [official website] convenes at 9:30 AM ET today, when it will consider H.R. 1268 [bill summary], the Iraq/Afghanistan Supplemental Appropriations bill. Watch a live webcast of the session. The Senate Judiciary Committee [official website] Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights Subcommittee is holding a hearing to examine the SBC/AT&T and Verizon/MCI mergers and their effect on the telecommunications industry at 2:30 PM ET today. Watch a live webcast of the hearing. The Senate Intelligence Committee [official website] is holding a hearing to review the USA PATRIOT Act at 2:30 PM ET today.

The US House [official website] convenes at 12:30 PM ET today. Watch a live webcast of the session. The House International Relations Committee [official website] Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations Subcommittee is holding a hearing on the UN Commission on Human Rights at 2 PM ET today. Watch a live webcast of the hearing. The House Judiciary Committee [official website] Committee Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security Subcommittee is holding an oversight hearing on the USA PATRIOT Act at 3 PM ET today. Watch a live webcast of the hearing.

The Eleventh UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice [official website] continues today in Bangkok, Thailand. View the agenda for the session.

At the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, the trial of Slobodan Milosevic [ICTY case backgrounder] continues at 9:30 AM local time [3:30 AM ET] today. Watch a webcast of proceedings.