September 23, 2014

POS 282 INTRODUCTION TO AMERICAN LAW
IN class today, Tuesday 9/23, I distributed one handout, the case brief template. We finished up Roberts' dissent in Miller, and also talked about the Thomas and Alito dissents. We discussed originalism as a mode of constitutional interpretation, and we also talked about the three major areas of institutional conflict with which the Supreme Court deals: separation of powers; federalism, and the rights of individuals. We went over the Maine sentencing statute and discussed the effect of Miller on Maine law. We also went over the proper citation form for Maine statutes. We began our discussion of Glucksberg and the case brief, getting as far as the cause of action. We will finish the cause of action and go on from there when I rejoin you next Tuesday 9/29. Working on a Glucksberg case brief, using the template as your guide, is your assignment for Tuesday 9/30. On Thursday 9/25, I won't be in class. but the class will watch part of the PBS series,"The Supreme Court", in an episode about the Rehnquist Revolution.


POS 484 CRIMINAL DUE PROCESS
In class today, Tuesday 9/23, I distributed two handouts: my version of the outline of the Jardines dissent, and the opinion of Navarette v. California. We went over the concurring and dissenting opinions in Jardines, putting the dissent in the outline format. On Thursday 9/25, I won't be in class. but the class will watch part of the PBS series,"The Supreme Court", in an episode about the A Nation of Liberties" (WWII to Nixon's election). The assignment for Tuesday 9/30 is to review the Gates case from the text (previously assigned); to read the Navarette opinion; and to begin your outline of both the Navarette majority opinion and the dissent.