Monday, April 27, 2015

Posts for April 27, 2015
These are the posts that are accumulated in our newsletter which goes out every 4-6 days during the school year. The posts are organized by the major units in our Con Law (5th ed.) student textbook.

Spring 2015 Bill of Rights in Action Available Online Now [CRF, 4/27/15]: If you don’t already subscribe to this free publication, you should.

Poll hints of political train wreck over Common Core [Cabinet Report, 4/27/15]: If it was big news last week that most parents know nothing about new K-12 testing aligned to the Common Core, consider the headlines later this summer when the results come back and only a fraction of the students pass.

Webby Awards announce Law category winners [Jurist, 4/27/15]: The annual Webby Awards in Law and more than 100 other subject categories were announced in New York Monday as the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences honored excellence in interactive design, creativity, usability and functionality on the Internet in 2015. 

I. Introduction to Law, the Constitution, and the Supreme Court [See TOPICS 1-10 in the 5th edition of Constitutional Law] Here are some recent articles that are relevant to this unit:

Roberts at 10 [Constitutional Accountability Center, 4/26/15]: Roberts and the Fourth Amendment -- A Mostly Pro-Government Vote with Some Important Exceptions.

II. Defining the Political System: Federalism and Checks and Balances [See TOPICS 11-15 in the 5th edition of Constitutional Law] Here are recent articles that are relevant to this unit:

New California Supreme Court surprises analysts early on [LA Times, 4/26/15]: When Gov. Jerry Brown's two latest nominees joined the California Supreme Court in January, legal analysts foresaw the creation of a more liberal majority.

III. The Political System: Voting and Campaigns [See TOPICS 16-20 in the 5th edition of Constitutional Law] Here are some recent articles that are relevant to this unit:

Bill and Hillary’s Excellent Adventure [Politico, 4/25/15]: To o get to the bottom of the latest incarnation of Clinton-gate, you’re going to have to get inside one of the most impenetrable marriages ever. Good luck with that.

IV. Criminal Law and Procedure (4th, 5th, 6th, and 8th amendments) [See TOPICS 21-28 in the 5th edition of Constitutional Law] Here are some recent articles that are relevant to this unit:


U.S. Supreme Court to consider constitutionality of Oklahoma's death penalty [The Oklahoman, 4/26/15]: On Wednesday, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on the state's execution protocol, specifically the use of one of the three drugs in Oklahoma's lethal cocktail; The court's decision could have a lasting impact on the use of the drug across the country

Blue Shield [The Marshall Project, 4/27/15]: Did you know police have their own Bill of Rights?

V. 1st Amendment (Speech, Religion, Press and Assembly) [See TOPICS 29-33 in the 5th edition of Constitutional Law] Here are some recent articles that are relevant to this unit:

First Amendment News: Court Denies Review in Military-Base Protest Case [Concurring Opinions, 4/27/15]: Keep current on the Court’s 1st Amendment docket.

VI. 14th Amendment, Discrimination, Privacy, Working, Citizenship & Immigration [See TOPICS 34-41 in the 5th edition of Constitutional Law] Here are some recent articles that are relevant to this unit:

From a variety of sources, here are just a sample of the pre-argument articles regarding the same-sex marriage case to be argued tomorrow:

Q&A: Issues, possible legal outcomes in gay marriage cases [AP, 4/27/15]:

Same-sex marriage: The decisive questions [SCOTUS blog, 4/26/15]: Analysis by Lyle Denniston

Same-Sex Marriage, In The Justices' Words [NPR’s “Morning Edition,” 4/27/15]:

Gay Marriage Gets Its Day in Court [The Atlantic, 4/27/15]: The question is less whether the Supreme Court will affirm the right to same-sex unions than how it will choose to do so..

Supreme Court's Simple Marriage Case Questions Lead To Complex Arguments [Buzzfeed News, 4/26/15]: A look at the legal issues set to be debated before the justices on Tuesday

Same-Sex Supreme Court Case Raises Political Issues [NPR, 4/27/15]:

Supreme Court's Defining Moment on Marriage [Jost on Justice, 4/26/15]:

History Suggests Kennedy Holds Key to Gay-Marriage Case [WSJ, 4/26/15]: Justice could provide decisive vote if Supreme Court rules same-sex couples have constitutional right to marry.

Top U.S. court appears on cusp of declaring right to gay marriage [Reuters, 4/26/15]:


On other subjects:
The Way of Death in the Netherlands, Oregon, and, Perhaps, California [Justia, 4/27/15]: Professor Rotunda warns against the California bill recently introduced in the state senate that would allow physician-assisted suicide. Rotunda cites other jurisdictions in which physician-assisted suicide is permissible in arguing against the bill’s passage.

Federal government urges K-12 schools to comply with Title IX [EdSource / EdLaw Profs Blog, 4/26/15]:  The U.S. Department of Education issued new guidance on Friday reminding K-12 school districts that, like colleges and universities, they also must have systems in place to address sexual harassment and ensure equal opportunities for male and female athletes. 

SCOTUS to Hear Dispute Over Claim Time Limits [CNS, 4/27/15]: The Supreme Court on Monday announced it will consider a dispute over the time limits for filing certain employment discrimination claims.


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