Posts for October 12, 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:

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:

Assault Weapons Ban Before U.S. Supreme Court [NBC News, 10/11/15]: The U.S. Supreme Court could announce as early as Tuesday whether it will hear a challenge to a suburban Chicago law banning firearms commonly known as assault weapons.

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/assault-weapon-ban-u-s-supreme-court-n442056

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:

A.C.L.U.'s Own Arguments May Work Against It in Voting Rights Case [NY Times’ “Sidebar,” 10/12/15]: The American Civil Liberties Union weighed in last month on this term’s big Supreme Court voting rights case, the one that will decide the meaning of “one person, one vote.” It took the position embraced by most liberals: that states should be allowed to count everybody in drawing election districts, including unauthorized immigrants, rather than only people eligible to vote. The case is summarized in Constitutional Law (ver. 5.02) at page 199 of the paperback edition.

 http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/13/us/politics/aclus-own-arguments-may-work-against-it-in-voting-rights-case.html?_r=0

Legislation and the Legislative Process (TOPIC 20)

Gov. Jerry Brown uses raft of veto messages to draw attention to his agenda [CC Times, 10/11/15]: Gov. Jerry Brown often quotes erudite authors and ancient texts to help explain his thinking. But in a raft of vetoes issued ahead of Sunday's midnight deadline to act on legislation, his message came through loud and clear -- Legislature, you messed up.

http://www.contracostatimes.com/breaking-news/ci_28955025/bill-action-deadline-gov-jerry-brown-uses-raft?source=rss

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
 

Split-second flash of a gun still resonates 52 years later [Center for Public Integrity / USA Today, 10/11/15]: Henry Montgomery is at center of this week's Supreme Court case on life sentences for juveniles.

http://www.publicintegrity.org/2015/10/11/18288/split-second-flash-gun-still-resonates-52-years-later

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2015/10/11/supreme-court-juvenile-life-without-parole-murder/73594976/

Louisiana case at center of U.S. Supreme Court hearing on appropriate sentencing for juvenile killers [Phil. Daily News, 10/12/15]: The 17-year-old Scotlandville High School student who shot and killed East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office Deputy Charles Hurt in 1963 is long gone, having aged into a 69-year-old Angola inmate who is rehabilitated and deserves a chance to show he should not die behind bars, attorneys for Henry Montgomery will argue Tuesday at the U.S. Supreme Court.

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20151012_Juvenile_lifers_to_get_chance_for_resentencing_.html

The case is Montgomery v. Louisiana and information can be found at:

http://www.scotusblog.com/case-files/cases/montgomery-v-louisiana/

Top Court Refuses Relief to Couple Whose Baby Died of Faith Healing [CNS, 10/12/15]: The Oregon Supreme Court upheld the manslaughter convictions and prison sentences of a couple whose newborn baby died after they chose faith healing over medical treatment. The Followers of Christ church in Oregon City has a history of its members' children dying from this. 

http://www.courthousenews.com/2015/10/12/top-court-refuses-relief-to-couple-whose-baby-died-of-faith-healing.htm

Meet the Federal Prisoners About to be Released [The Marshall Project, 10/9/15]: A profile of the 6,000.

https://www.themarshallproject.org/2015/10/09/meet-the-federal-prisoners-about-to-be-released?ref=hp-1-100

Oklahoma Used Wrong Drug to Kill Man [CNS, 10/12/15]: Gov. Fallin expressed frustration and doubt about the future of executions in her state after the disclosure that an incorrect drug was used to kill child-killer Charles Warner.

http://www.courthousenews.com/2015/10/12/oklahoma-used-wrong-drug-to-kill-man.htm

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:

Ten Commandments decision likely to remain a monumental issue [Tulsa World, 10/11/15]: Political groups and leaders seek donations and changes in the state constitution.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/government/ten-commandments-decision-likely-to-remain-a-monumental-issue/article_8e45374f-769c-53dc-8f96-f6192fc195cf.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: