Posts for June 18, 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 (5^th ed.) student textbook.

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

Evidence Ruling: Supreme Court Allows Use of Child Abuse Evidence [School Law Blog / AP, 6/18/15]: The justices rule unanimously that a child's statement to teachers about abuse at home may be introduced at trial without the testimony of the child.

http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/school_law/2015/06/supreme_court_backs_prosecutio.html

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_SUPREME_COURT_CHILD_ABUSE_EVIDENCE

The case decision in Ohio v. Clark can be found at:

http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/14pdf/13-1352_ed9l.pdf

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

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

President 2016: The Clash of Dynasties [Sabato’s Crystal Ball]: Comprehensive analysis of where the candidates are right now! Must read! Assessing where Clinton & Bush stand after their big speeches.

http://www.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/articles/president-2016-the-clash-of-dynasties/

Legislation and the Legislative Process (TOPIC 20)

Special Tax Sessions [Fox & Hounds, 6/17/15]:  In announcing the budget deal with the legislature, Governor Jerry Brown announced two special sessions to deal with transportation and Medi-Cal funding. Call them the Special Tax Sessions. 

http://www.foxandhoundsdaily.com/2015/06/special-tax-sessions/

Vaccine opt-outs, teacher evaluation bills still alive as state budget approved [EdSource, 6/17/15]: It’s not exactly the summer All-Star break, but the June deadline for bills to move successfully from one house in the state Legislature to the other – or be declared dead – reveals what remains possible in this legislative season.

http://edsource.org/2015/2015-edsource-legtracker/74277#.VYL0pIrF83J

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

 

Another Miranda Case [Cal.App. Rept., 6/17/15]: It’s interesting how all the various rights line up in this case, ironically involving a guy named Miranda.

http://calapp.blogspot.com/2015/06/people-v-miranda-cal-ct-app-may-13-2015.html

The case of People v. Miranda can be found at: http://www.courts.ca.gov/opinions/documents/B256806.PDF

Court: Synthetic Drug Sellers Must Know Substance Illegal [AP, 6/18/15]: A unanimous Supreme Court ruled Thursday that people accused of selling synthetic drugs can't be convicted unless prosecutors show they knew the substance was prohibited by law.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_SUPREME_COURT_DESIGNER_DRUGS

The decision in McFadden v. U.S. can be found at:

http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/14pdf/14-378_k537.pdf

What’s Justice for Kids Who Kill? [The Marshall Project, 6/18/15]: Kahton Anderson and the raging raise-the-age debate.

https://www.themarshallproject.org/2015/06/18/what-s-justice-for-kids-who-kill?ref=hp-1-111

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

Justices Rule for Texas in Dispute over License Plate [AP, 6/18/15]: The court said in a 5-4 ruling that Texas can limit the content of license plates because they are state property and not the equivalent of bumper stickers.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_SUPREME_COURT_LICENSE_PLATES

The decision in Walker v. Texas Div., Sons of Confederate Veterans, is at:

http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/14pdf/14-144_758b.pdf

Justices Rule for Small Arizona Church in Sign Law Dispute [AP, 6/18/15]: The Supreme Court ruled Thursday for an Arizona church in a dispute over a town's sign law in a decision that three justices said could threaten municipal sign regulations across the country. Although the decision was unanimous, the justices divided over why the law violated the rights of the Good News Community Church.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_SUPREME_COURT_CHURCH_SIGNS

The decision in Reed v. Town of Gilbert, Ariz. can be found at:

http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/14pdf/13-502_9olb.pdf

First Amendment News and Docket Update [Concurring Opinions, 6/18/15]:

http://concurringopinions.com/archives/2015/06/fan-64-1-first-amendment-news-court-hands-down-license-plate-case-5-4-rejects-1-a-claim.html

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

Uber driver an employee, California Labor Commission rules [SF Chron, 6/17/15]: An Uber driver is an employee, not an independent contractor, the California Labor Commission ruled this month, in a decision that foreshadows a big challenge to Uber’s business model and potential seismic changes to the nation’s classifications of workers.

http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/CA-labor-commission-rules-Uber-drivers-are-6332910.php