Posts for May 18, 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:

Is a Deadlocked Supreme Court Such a Bad Thing? [NU Times, 5/18/16]: Read various responses to this question in the “Room for Debate” blog.

http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2016/05/18/is-a-deadlocked-supreme-court-such-a-bad-thing

Knowledge Seminar: An Inside Look at Federal Appellate Courts [The Federal Judiciary Channel, 5/18/16]: In this Knowledge Seminar we examine U.S. Courts of Appeals. Learn about processes, court culture and landmark cases.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=828te33Uwa0

The Supreme Court's Caseload Is On Track To Be The Lightest In 70 Years [538, 5/17/16]: If the first few months of the year are an indication, the upcoming court term may be the lightest in at least 70 years.

http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-supreme-courts-caseload-is-on-track-to-be-the-lightest-in-70-years/

Supreme Court Requires “Concrete” Injury for Standing [Justia, 5/18/16]: Professor Dorf comments on the recent decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in Spokeo, Inc. v. Robins, in which the Court unremarkably affirmed its position that a plaintiff in federal court must have suffered (or be in danger of imminently suffering) a “concrete and particularized injury.” Dorf explains why, in cases such as Spokeo that involve one private party suing another, the Court should abandon the concreteness requirement of judicial standing.

https://verdict.justia.com/2016/05/18/supreme-court-requires-concrete-injury-standing

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:

Why Gun Rights Keep Expanding [Bloomberg View, 5/17/16]: There’s a quiet revolution going on in the constitutional law of guns. Since the Supreme Court declared gun ownership a fundamental right less than a decade ago, the lower courts have been expanding upon that landmark ruling.

http://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2016-05-17/why-gun-rights-keep-expanding

Judge halts enforcement of a portion of DC's strict gun law [AP / Jurist, 5/17/16]: A federal judge in Washington halted enforcement of a portion of the city's strict gun law Tuesday in a ruling that conflicts with another judge's assessment of the law earlier this year and sets up two competing views for a higher court.

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

http://www.jurist.org/paperchase/2016/05/federal-judge-halts-enforcement-of-dcs-strict-gun-law.php

South Carolina Bans Abortion After 19 Weeks [CNS, 5/17/16]: The South Carolina Legislature on Tuesday passed a bill that bans nearly all abortions after 19 weeks, and sent it on to Gov. Nikki Haley for her signature.

http://www.courthousenews.com/2016/05/17/south-carolina-bans-abortion-after-19-weeks.htm

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:

Donald Trump Is Not Expanding the GOP [Politico, 5/17/16]: A Politico analysis of early-voting data shows little evidence for one of the Republican nominee’s core claims.

http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/05/donald-trump-2016-polling-turnout-early-voting-data-213897

Federal Court Strikes Down Key Montana Contribution Limits, Setting Up Quick 9th Circuit Battle and Potential SCOTUS Deadlock [Rick Hasen’s “Election Law Blog” post, 5/17/16]:

http://electionlawblog.org/?p=82847

Libertarians Say They Expect a Good Year [CNS, 5/18/116]: With many conservative voters displeased with Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders supporters furious at the Democrats, Libertarian Party candidates at the party's presidential debate in Las Vegas said they look for big gains in November.

http://www.courthousenews.com/2016/05/18/libertarians-say-they-expect-a-good-year.htm

Legislation and the Legislative Process (TOPIC 20)

Senate Compromise on Zika Funds in the Works [CNS, 5/17/16]: The Senate is poised to pass a $1.1 billion funding package to help combat the spread of the Zika virus. A package the Senate advanced Tuesday falls short of the $1.9 billion in special funds President Barack Obama asked for in February to halt the spread of the disease.

http://www.courthousenews.com/2016/05/17/senate-compromise-on-zika-funds-in-the-works.htm

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

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:

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: