by Riley Frank, Staff Writer Under the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (“PHRA”), complainants can be awarded emotional distress damages in cases involving housing discrimination. Although this is the case, it is often very difficult to determine an appropriate amount of such damages since Pennsylvania has not yet established a system […]
Juris Blog
The Value of Understanding Your Rights in Pennsylvania
by John Brophy, Staff Writer Without knowing, Pennsylvanians enjoy greater constitutional rights than their national peers. Recently, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania held that Article I, Section 8 of the Pennsylvania Constitution offers “more expansive” protection than the 4th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.[1] One aspect of daily life that exemplifies […]
New York’s Proposed Right-To-Counsel Law for Deportation Cases
by Hannah Dean, Staff Writer The New York State Legislature is currently considering the Access to Representation Act, or Senate Bill S81B, which would require the state to appoint an attorney for every person with a case before an immigration judge or with a reason to appeal a prior deportation order, […]
The Onion Files Amicus Brief Championing Right to Parody After Controversial Sixth Circuit Decision
by Brian Davis, Staff Writer In March 2016, comedian Anthony Novak, a resident of Parma, Ohio, created a Facebook page parodying the Parma Police Department.[1] As a result of Novak’s obvious satirical posts on Facebook, Parma Police officers arrested Novak, searched his home, and charged him with an Ohio law felony […]
South Dakota’s Ongoing Battle for Medicaid
By Amelia Trello, Staff Writer South Dakota voters will decide whether to extend Medicaid eligibility under the Affordable Care Act (“ACA”) this November.[1] Residents of South Dakota have successfully elected to expand Medicaid six times—the upcoming vote in November could be number seven.[2]Currently, around five percent of the state remains […]
Feminist Revolution Erupts in Iran after the Killing of Mahsa Amini
By Grace Ruane, Staff Writer On September 13, 2022, Amini traveled alongside her family to visit her uncle in Tehran. Upon exiting the train station, Amini was apprehended by the Iranian morality police, a force tasked with detaining Iranians who violate the country’s conservative dress code. She was then transported […]
ACLU-PA Objections to Electronic Monitoring Device for P.F.A. Defendants Revisited Amongst Renewed Push for ‘Alina’s Law’
By Caroline Benec, Staff Writer 2022 marks five years since Senate Bill 196 (“Alina’s Law”) was introduced to the Pennsylvania General Assembly, giving civil courts the authority to mandate that anyone under a protection from abuse order (“PFA”), both the victim-survivor and the alleged abuser, wear an electronic monitoring device.[1] […]
The Biden Administration Continues Efforts to Release United States Citizens Held as Russian Detainees
By Emma Betz, Staff Writer Two United States citizens have been detained in Russia for several months now – WNBA star and two-time Olympic gold medalist, Britney Griner, and former United States Marine, Paul Whelan. As communications continue between the United States and Russia, proposals and negotiations of prisoner swap […]
Is this the End of Affirmative Action?
By Madeline Olds, Staff Writer This summer, after a controversial term, the United States Supreme Court decided it will hear two cases concerning arguments surrounding the constitutionality of affirmative action.[1] Affirmative action is defined as “a set of procedures designed to; eliminate unlawful discrimination among applicants, remedy the results of such […]
Monetary Incentives, a double-edged sword?
By Roshni Master, Staff Writer A high salary or a large end-of-year bonus is typically considered a sign of success. However, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s (“UPMC”) Head of Cardiothoracic Surgery and star surgeon, Dr. James Luketich, may disagree.[1] The United States government has brought suit against Dr. Luketich, alleging […]