Posts for January 20, 2016

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:

The American Presidency [TOPIC 15]

Obama faces immigration hurdles even if he wins at high court [Reuters / Bloomberg View, 1/20/16]: If the Court endorses a key immigration initiative of President Obama protecting more than 4 million illegal immigrants from deportation, his administration could face a surge of applicants and little time to process them before he leaves office in January 2017.

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-court-immigration-implementation-idUSKCN0UY1BH

http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2016-01-19/immigration-case-ratchets-up-supreme-court-drama

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:

Legislation and the Legislative Process (TOPIC 20)

Change To Prop. 13 Could Be Headed For November Ballot [CPR, 1/19/16]:  California voters could be asked this fall to touch what’s been an untouchable law: the property tax initiative known as Proposition 13. A potential November ballot proposal would raise taxes on the state’s highest-value properties and spend the money on anti-poverty programs. 

http://www.capradio.org/articles/2016/01/19/change-to-californias-political-third-rail-headed-for-november-ballot/

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

Coaches, Athletic Director Facing Charges Following Alleged Hazing Incident [ThinkProgress / Schooled in Sports, 1/19/16]: Two high school basketball coaches and an assistant principal/athletic director are due in court this week to answer charges stemming from an alleged hazing incident that resulted in the hospitalization of a 15-year-old boy in Tennessee. They are accused of failure to comply with a law requiring "mandatory reporting of child abuse and/or suspected child sexual abuse."

http://thinkprogress.org/sports/2016/01/15/3740015/ooltewah-basketball-rape-case-update/

http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/schooled_in_sports/2016/01/coaches_athletic_director_facing_charges_following_alleged_hazing_incident.html

See these other reports of incidents:

http://www.lowellsun.com/todaysheadlines/ci_28953890/hazing-case-lawyer-chelmsford-schools-violated-reporting-mandate

http://www.boston.com/news/education/k_12/articles/2011/01/14/state_failed_to_oversee_schools_policies_against_hazing/

http://www.newrochelletalk.com/content/isaac-young-welcome-jungle-football-hazing-two-years-later-coach-back-victim-kicked-out

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:

The Case Against Separating Church and State [Bloomberg essay by Noah Feldman, 1/19/16]: Is the separation of church and state unconstitutional? You read that right. The U.S. Supreme Court said Friday that it would consider whether Missouri's constitution, which bars state aid to religious groups, violates the U.S. Constitution by discriminating against religion.

http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2016-01-19/the-case-against-separating-church-and-state

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:

Justices Ask Obama Administration to Weigh In on Special Education Case [Ed Week, 1/18/16]: The U.S. Supreme Court seeks input in a dispute over whether a girl with cerebral palsy could bring her service dog to school.

http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/school_law/2016/01/justices_ask_obama_administrat.html

The case is Fry v. Napoleon Community Schools. Updates can be found at the SCOTUS blog:

http://www.scotusblog.com/case-files/cases/fry-v-napoleon-community-schools/