Posts for June 12, 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:

The difficulties of a judicial recall [Capitol Weekly / The Marshall Project, 6/11/16]: A day after Judge Aaron Persky, of California Superior Court, sentenced a Stanford University athlete to six months in jail on a sexual assault conviction, calls for his ouster grew deafening.

http://capitolweekly.net/difficulties-judicial-recall-persky-turner-case/

https://www.themarshallproject.org/2016/06/07/how-easy-would-it-be-to-recall-the-judge-in-the-brock-turner-case?ref=hp-2-112#.lQVbdyWVL

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:

Two Wins for Gun Control Buck the U.S. Legal Trend [Bloomberg View, 6/12/16]: Gun-rights advocates have been on a roll, as lower courts building on Supreme Court jurisprudence have subjected gun control laws to heightened scrutiny.

http://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2016-06-12/two-wins-for-gun-control-buck-the-u-s-legal-trend

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:

With both candidates viewed unfavorably, expect a bloodbath [SF Chron, 6/11/16]: With the presidential field set for battle between two candidates who are loathed at least as much as they are liked, Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton might start printing similar bumper stickers boasting of their strategies for winning the White House. For likely Republican nominee Trump: “Vote Trump: At Least I’m Not Her.” And for likely Democratic nominee Clinton: “Vote Clinton: At Least I’m Not Him.” 

http://www.sfchronicle.com/politics/article/With-both-candidates-viewed-unfavorably-expect-a-8052738.php

Legislation and the Legislative Process (TOPIC 20)

Pelosi may have shot at regaining post as House speaker, Dems say [SF Chron, 6/11/16]: No incumbent House Republican lost his race in Tuesday’s California’s primary, yet voters fed Democratic hopes that Nancy Pelosi could again become House speaker after November.

http://www.sfchronicle.com/politics/article/Pelosi-may-have-shot-at-regaining-post-as-House-8046861.php

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

Anger over Stanford rape verdict shows activism is paying off [SF Chron, 6/11/16]: As outrage tore across the country over the wrist slap of sentence in the Stanford sexual-assault case, rape survivors and their advocates quietly celebrated. 

http://www.sfchronicle.com/news/article/Rage-over-Stanford-sex-assault-case-shows-8053437.php

From Texas, Two Dubious Death Cases for Justices [Jost on Justice, 6/12/16]: Where would the Supreme Court find work but for Texas? The Lone Star state provided four of the biggest cases for the current term on such hot-button issues as abortion, affirmative action, immigration, and voting rights. 

http://jostonjustice.blogspot.com/2016/06/from-texas-two-dubious-death-cases-for.html

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:

Cyberbully law unconstitutional, NC Supreme Court says [Raleigh News &Observer / Volokh Conspiracy, 6/11/166]: The state Supreme Court issued a ruling on Friday that strikes down North Carolina’s cyberbully law. The justices said the law was not tailored narrowly enough and violated free speech rights.

http://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/crime/article82997747.html

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/volokh-conspiracy/wp/2016/06/11/n-c-court-strikes-down-ban-on-posting-personal-or-sexual-information-about-minors-with-the-intent-to-torment/

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:

Oregon court recognizes "non-binary" as a legal gender [Jurist, 6/12/16]: A judge from Multnomah County Circuit Court in Oregon ruled on Friday that an individual's gender could be legally changed from female to non-binary. This ruling legally recognizing a third gender option is the first of its kind in the United States.

http://www.jurist.org/paperchase/2016/06/oregon-court-recognizes-non-binary-as-a-legal-gender.php

In a huge shift, most Californians now support transgender bathroom law [KPCC, 6/11/16]:  In only three years, the majority of Californians have gone from opposing a state law that allows transgender students to access any bathroom in a public school to supporting it, according to a new study out of USC. The speed of that opinion shift is uncommon, some might say unprecedented.

http://www.scpr.org/news/2016/06/11/61571/in-a-huge-shift-most-californians-now-support-tran/

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

Puerto Rico Criticizes Supreme Court's Decision on Sovereignty [WSJ, 6/10/16]: High court ruled island is arm of U.S. federal government for criminal prosecution purposes; governor to seek to raise issue with U.N. panel on decolonization.

http://www.wsj.com/article_email/puerto-rico-criticizes-supreme-courts-decision-on-sovereignty-1465595564-lMyQjAxMTA2MzE1MTAxMjE5Wj