By: Christina Pici, Staff Writer The high-profile Jussie Smollett case is again making headlines in light of the prosecution shockingly deciding to drop all sixteen felony charges that were brought against him.[1] One of the commonly cited reasons for dropping the charges is Smollett’s agreement to forfeit the […]
Juris Blog
Civil Lawsuits Pile Up Following Operation Varsity Blues
By: Giulia Schaub, Staff Writer A group of students and parents filed a lawsuit against the University of Southern California, Yale University, and other colleges involved in the massive college admissions scandal, now called “Operation Varsity Blues.”[1] In addition to the colleges, the lawsuit names the mastermind behind […]
New Zealand’s Legislative Response to Terrorist’s Attack
By: Elizabeth Fitch, Staff Writer On March 15, 2019, “the nation witnessed a terrorist attack that demonstrated the weakness of New Zealand’s gun laws,” Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern stated.[1] A self-proclaimed white supremacist stole the lives of fifty people at two mosques using two legally purchased […]
Conflicting Rights: Religion v. Anti-Discrimination
By: Rachel Pressdee, Staff Writer In 2018, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled in favor of a Colorado baker who refused to create a custom cake for the wedding of a same-sex couple. The baker believed doing so would violate his religious beliefs.[1] Once again, the […]
Is President Trump’s National Emergency Declaration to Fund Construction of a Border Wall Setting a Dangerous Precedent?
By: Claude Ngatchou, Staff Writer On February 15, during a news conference in the White House Rose Garden, President Trump announced that he would sign a spending bill to prevent another government shutdown and declared a national emergency to fund construction of a wall along the southern border.[1] […]
The U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team Marks International Women’s Day by Filing a Gender Discrimination Claim Against the U.S. Soccer Federation
By: Amanda Leonard, Staff Writer On International Women’s Day 2019, twenty-eight players of the U.S. women’s national soccer team (USWNT) filed a gender discrimination claim against the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) in the U.S. district court of California.[1] The complaint alleges violations of the Equal Pay Act […]
Should Pharmaceutical Companies Be Liable for Deaths Caused by Their Drugs?
By: Samantha Dorn, Staff Writer Earlier this month, Purdue Pharma LP lost a bid to delay a trial set to begin in May.[1] The company is being sued by Oklahoma’s attorney general, who accuses the company of exacerbating opioid abuse and overdoses within Oklahoma.[2] Purdue Pharma produces OxyContin, an opioid-based painkiller […]
Lake Erie Can Now Sue People
By: Andrew Beluk, Staff Writer Human beings have been suing other human beings since the dawn of litigation. But now, a body of water can sue human beings too. On February 26, 2019, citizens of Toledo, Ohio voted to give Lake Erie legal standing to sue polluters in court.[1] […]
Catholic Priest Sex Abuse Scandals: How the Media Shapes the Public Perception of Child Abuse in the Catholic Church
By: Elizabeth Echard, Staff Writer Is Catholic priest sexual abuse a result of their choice of lifestyle and career, or is that a misconception fed by the media’s portrayal of the Catholic sexual assault scandals? It is not disputed that sexual abuse happens on a daily basis and […]
Justice Thomas Urges Review of the Seminal New York Times v. Sullivan Supreme Court Case
By: Margaret Potter, Staff Writer On February 19, 2019, Justice Clarence Thomas wrote a concurring opinion in McKee v. Cosby in which he urged the Supreme Court to reconsider its seminal decision in New York Times v. Sullivan.[1] In McKee v. Cosby, actress Katherine McKee sued comedian Bill Cosby, whom […]
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