December 5, 2013

POS 282 INTRODUCTION TO AMERICAN LAW
In class today, Thursday 12/5, we began by differentiating the concepts of venue versus subject matter jurisdiction. We then looked at the Cheap Escape case, and how the Ohio Supreme Court interpreted the jurisdictional language in the Ohio statute. I discussed two additional subject matter jurisdiction cases, Landmark Realty v. Leasure from the Maine Supreme Court, and Bowles v. Russell from the U.S. Supreme Court. We discussed the significance of the designation as "subject matter" for the consequence of whether such jurisdiction can be waived by consent of the parties or failure to object, or excusable neglect. We looked at Rule 12 of the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure regarding motions to dismiss a case based on subject matter jurisdiction, and then based on jurisdiction over the person. We discussed the concept of personal jurisdiction, and went over Robey v. Hinners in the text. I will pick up by going over some U.S. Supreme Court and Maine Supreme Court personal jurisdiction cases on Tuesday. The assignment for Tuesday 12/10 is to read and prepare to discuss through p. 142 of the text.


POS 484 CRIMINAL DUE PROCESS
In class today, Thursday 12/5, we first finished our discussion of the various Gregg v. Georgia opinions. We briefly touched on McClesky v. Kemp regarding discrimination in imposition of the death penalty. We discussed the majority and dissenting opinions in Atkins v. Virginia. Finally, I went over a case that the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral argument on in March, Hall v. Crews, which asks whether the manner in which Florida determines the definition of mental retardation violates the 8th Amendment. The assignment for Tuesday 12/10 is to read and prepare to discuss through the end of Chapter 12.