April 25, 2019

POS 282 INTRODUCTION TO AMERICAN LAW
In class today, Thursday 4/25, I reminded the class about completing the on-line evaluations of the class. We began by discussing the Butler case. I went over three types of dictum that we've encountered, and I also discussed the 1971 U.S. Supreme Court case of Harris v. N.Y. We then discussed the question of retroactivity and the Dempsey case. We reviewed Montgomery v. Louisiana, and I also discussed the 1966 case of Johnson v. N.J. We went over the two primary federal models of retroactive application, and saw how Montana was free to make its own choice, and how it chose neither of the federal models. Finally we discussed the Strunk case, and what a court does in the absence of precedent.
The assignment for Tuesday 4/30 is to read through p. 115 of the text (including Hubbard v. Greeson) and to read on addition pp. 144-146 (including Land v. Yamaha).


POS 359 THE CURRENT SUPREME COURT TERM
In class today, Thursday 4/25, I reminded the class about completing the on-line evaluations of the class. We finished going through the census briefs, completing the blow-by-blow of Commerce punches and NY counter-punches. We then got to spend a short time with the oral argument that was assigned. We saw how Ginsburg was able to get an admission from Francisco that the reason for getting rid of the citizenship question in 1960 was to improve accuracy. We also saw how Roberts weighed in on the standing issue.
On Tuesday 4/30 we will have Exam #2. If you are missing any handouts, email me with your requests by 8:00 pm on Monday 4/29. Remember that, if you are using a computer, you may not connect to the internet or do any other activity that someone using paper is not able to do.