Friday, June 10, 2016

Posts for June 10, 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 (5th ed.) student textbook.

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:

Looking Closer at Trump’s Attacks on Judge Curiel [Justia, 6/10/16]: John Dean takes a close look at Republican presumptive presidential nominee Donald Trump and his attacks on Judge Curiel. Dean scrutinizes the lawsuits involving Trump University and points out that the alleged behavior, if true, could criminally implicate Trump and Trump University.

Brock Turner case fallout: Prospective jurors refuse to serve under judge [SJ Merc, 6/9/16]: At least 10 prospective jurors who oppose Judge Aaron Persky's decision to spare former Stanford swimmer Brock Turner prison for a sex crime refused this week to serve on a jury in an unrelated case he is handling. 

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:

9th Circuit: 2nd Amendment Does Not Guarantee Right to Carry Concealed Guns [SF Chron / SD Union-Trib / Trial insider, 6/9/16]: In a major victory for gun control advocates, a federal appeals court on Thursday upheld California’s handgun license law, saying there is no constitutional right to carry concealed weapons in public and setting the stage for a potential showdown in the U.S. Supreme Court. This could be a great case for a classroom oral argument…whether it makes it to the Supreme Court or not.
The 7-4 en banc 9th Circuit opinion in Peruta v. County of San Diego is at:

Puerto Rico not sovereign, Supreme Court says [USA Today / SCOTUS blog / Jurist, 6/9/16]: Puerto Rico has its own Constitution and elects its own leaders, but it remains under the thumb of Congress, the Supreme Court ruled Thursday in a 6-2 decision.

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:

California continues to count more than 2.5 million unprocessed ballots [KPCC / KQED, 6/9/16]: Some 2.5 million ballots have yet to be counted in California from Tuesday's primary, according to figures released Thursday evening by the Secretary of State's office, which could push turnout closer to what officials predicted. 

House 2016: The Balancing Act [Sabato’s Crystal Ball, 6/9/16]: How expectations of a Clinton victory could hinder Democrats down-ballot.

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

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:

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:

Title IX suit claims South Carolina district is failing to provide girls’ softball team with facilities on par with boys’ athletic teams [NSBA Legal Clips, 6/7/16]: The parents of a female student, who is a member of the Lexington High School’s softball team, have filed suit in federal district court against Lexington School District 1 alleging the school district is failing to provide sports opportunities and facilities for girls that are equal to those provided to boys’ teams in violation of Title IX.

1st Circuit panel rules that mother of student who was subjected to peer harassment/bullying failed to establish valid substantive due process and Title IX claims [NSBA Legal Clips, 6/7/16]: A U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit panel has ruled that a student, who was subjected to peer harassment and bullying, failed to state a valid cause of action for violation of his 14th  Amendment Substantive Due Process rights because there was an absence of any action by school officials that “shocks the conscience.” It also rejected the student’s argument that school officials had an affirmative duty to protect the student based on the theory of state-created danger.

International Law, Citizenship and Immigration [TOPIC 40-42]

14 Years in Guantanamo: for the Wrong Guy? [CNS, 6/9/16]: A Guantanamo detainee whom the U.S. says it "probably misidentified" 14 years ago finally got a hearing Thursday on his bid for a transfer.



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