November 26, 2013

POS 282 INTRODUCTION TO AMERICAN LAW
In class today, Tuesday 11/26, we began with the Land case. As background to that case, I discussed federal court jurisdiction (diversity and federal question). We talked about removal jurisdiction, and the Erie Doctrine. In the Land case, we went over the meaning of the Indiana Statute of Repose (as opposed to a Statute of Limitations). We did an evaluation of the lawyering of both sides regarding how to get the better choice of law rule (and therefore substantive law) to apply. After finishing Land, I discussed a Maine case, Collins v. Trius, that showed how Maine courts deal with choice of law questions. We began our discussion of Full Faith and Credit, going over the different treatments accorded statutes (e.g. recognition of same-sex marriages) versus judicial decisions(recognition of divorces). We will continue with Finstuen when we next meet. The assignment for Tuesday 12/3 is to read in the text pp. 122-135. Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving.


POS 484 CRIMINAL DUE PROCESS
In class today, Tuesday 11/26, I collected the Bryant assignments, and plan to return them next Tuesday. We split into warring factions, and battled out the merits and demerits of the various confrontation clause approaches. We will pick up next Tuesday with the concurring and dissenting opinions in the Richmond Newspapers case. The assignment for Tuesday 12/3 is to read in the text through p. 585. Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving.