Monthly Archives: February 2013

On Monday, the United States Supreme Court granted certiorari in two cases.  In Burt v. Titlow, the court will consider ineffective counsel under the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996.  Titlow received a logner sentence after rejecting a … Continue reading →

Today, the Court will hear oral arguments in the case of Maryland v. King, considering whether the Fourth Amendment allows states to collect and analyze DNA samples from those arrested for serious crimes without obtaining a warrant first. For more … Continue reading →

On Friday, an Australian court ruled that American biotech company, Myriad Genetics, can patent a human gene linked to an increased risk of breast cancer.  The court reasoned that because the gene is created artificially, it can be patented. A … Continue reading →

A graduate student has sued both her professor and the university she was attending over the C+ she received in a class, arguing that the grade kept her from earning her degree and becoming a licensed therapist.  She says that, … Continue reading →

On Thursday, legal philosopher Ronald Dworkin passed away due to leukemia.  Dworkin argued that moral principles should be the basis of constitutional interpretation. For more on Dworkin’s life and work, see this New York Times article, or check out his … Continue reading →

On Tuesday, the United States Senate voted 78-22 to renew the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which expired in 2011.  The issue will next go before the House of Representatives, where a different version of the bill is being created.  … Continue reading →

Pope Benedict XVI announced this week that he was resigning the papacy, becoming the first pope to do so in six centuries.  Due to the rarity of the situation, many questions have been raised about how to handle the resignation … Continue reading →

Starting research in a new area of law?  Don’t know the best place to begin? Check out Cornell’s Legal Research Engine!  Simply type in the area of law that you want to research (ex. environmental law) and it will pull … Continue reading →

On Wednesday, February 27, the Supreme Court will hear the oral arguments in Shelby County v. Holder.   The case will consider the constitutionality of Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.  Section 5 prohibits states with a history … Continue reading →

Where do I start? There are many things you shouldn’t do in court, but today’s item is a good beginning. A FL defendant managed to turn a bail hearing into a 30-day sentence for contempt when she directed a rude … Continue reading →