Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
- Discipline
-
- State and Local Government Law (65)
- Legislation (36)
- Criminal Law (7)
- Education Law (7)
- Environmental Law (7)
-
- Family Law (7)
- Health Law and Policy (7)
- Law and Psychology (7)
- Law Enforcement and Corrections (5)
- Legal Remedies (5)
- Natural Resources Law (5)
- Property Law and Real Estate (5)
- Civil Rights and Discrimination (4)
- Housing Law (4)
- Insurance Law (4)
- Juvenile Law (4)
- Law and Gender (4)
- Law and Society (4)
- Torts (4)
- Courts (3)
- Labor and Employment Law (3)
- Legal Profession (3)
- Business Organizations Law (2)
- Civil Procedure (2)
- Criminal Procedure (2)
- Fourteenth Amendment (2)
- Land Use Law (2)
- Transportation Law (2)
- Water Law (2)
Articles 1 - 30 of 71
Full-Text Articles in Law
Dispossessing Resident Voice: Municipal Receiverships And The Public Trust, Juliet M. Moringiello
Dispossessing Resident Voice: Municipal Receiverships And The Public Trust, Juliet M. Moringiello
University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform
The residents of struggling cities suffer property dispossessions both as individual owners and as municipal residents. Their individual dispossessions are part of a cycle that often begins with industrial decline. In Detroit, for example, more than 100,000 residents have lost their homes to tax foreclosure over a four-year period that bracketed the city’s bankruptcy filing. Falling property values, job losses, and foreclosures affect municipal budgets by reducing tax revenues. As individual dispossessions exacerbate municipal financial crises, residents can also face the loss of municipal property. Struggling cities and towns often sell publicly owned property—from parks to parking systems—to balance municipal …
Dispossessing Detroit: How The Law Takes Property, Mary Kathlin Sickel
Dispossessing Detroit: How The Law Takes Property, Mary Kathlin Sickel
University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform
Introduction for the University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform's Symposium “Dispossessing Detroit: How the Law Takes Property,” hosted on November 9 and 10, 2019.
The Failure Of Education Federalism, Kristi L. Bowman
The Failure Of Education Federalism, Kristi L. Bowman
University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform
Since the Great Recession of 2007–09, states have devoted even less money to public education and state courts have become even more hostile to structural reform litigation that has sought to challenge education funding and quality. Yet the current model of education federalism (dual federalism) leaves these matters largely to the states. As a result, state-level legislative inaction, executive acquiescence, and judicial abdication can combine to create a situation in which the quality of traditional public schools declines sharply. This is the case in Michigan, which is an unusually important state not only because the dynamics that are emerging in …
Sentence Creep: Increasing Penalties In Michigan And The Need For Sentencing Reform, Anne Yantus
Sentence Creep: Increasing Penalties In Michigan And The Need For Sentencing Reform, Anne Yantus
University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform
The governor and several legislators have requested review of Michigan’s sentencing practices with an eye toward sentence reform. Michigan leads the country in the average length of prison stay, and by internal comparisons the average minimum sentence has nearly doubled in the last decade. This Article explores cumulative increases to criminal penalties over the last several decades as reflected in amendments to the sentencing guidelines, increased maximum sentences, harsh mandatory minimum terms, increased authority for consecutive sentencing, wide sentencing discretion for habitual and repeat drug offenders, and tough parole practices and policies. The reality for legislators is that it is …
Invading The Realm Of The Dead: Exploring The (Im)Propriety Of Punitive Damage Awards Against Estates, Emily Himes Iversen
Invading The Realm Of The Dead: Exploring The (Im)Propriety Of Punitive Damage Awards Against Estates, Emily Himes Iversen
University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform
Punitive damages are traditionally understood, at least in part, as damages designed to punish. It should therefore come as no surprise that, in the majority of states that have decided the issue, courts have chosen not to allow punitive damage awards against the estates of deceased tortfeasors. After all, the tortfeasor can no longer be punished (at least by tort awards). Nonetheless, punitive damages can also serve other purposes, such as deterrence. This Note argues that Michigan, a state which has not yet taken a stance, should adopt the minority position that allows punitive damages to be awarded against estates. …
Closing The Regulatory Gap In Michigan's Public Trust Doctrine: Saving Michigan Millions With Statutory Reform, Kelsey Breck
Closing The Regulatory Gap In Michigan's Public Trust Doctrine: Saving Michigan Millions With Statutory Reform, Kelsey Breck
University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform
The Great Lakes are some of Michigan's most valuable and important environmental resources. The public trust doctrine requires Michigan to protect and preserve the lands along the shores of the Great Lakes for the use of future generations. Unfortunately, the public trust doctrine in Michigan is in disarray and as a result, public and private rights to the lands along the Great Lakes are poorly delineated. This Note presents an economic argument for why the public trust doctrine should be reformed to better define public and private rights to the land along Michigan's Great Lakes. It also suggests a statutory …
The "Enlightened Barbarity" Of Inclusive Fitness And Wrongful Death: Biological Justifications For An Investment Theory Of Loss In Wycko V. Gnodtke, Ryan Shannon
University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform
Wrongful death laws should permit and encourage courts and juries to consider the survivors' investment in decedents when determining wrongful death damages, given new biological justifications for this theory of loss. The investment theory of damages, which permits an award of damages based on the investment of financial resources relatives make in one another, originated in Michigan's courts in the early 1 960s, but as of present day has been largely abrogated. In the context of modern understandings of evolutionary biology, including kin selection theory and sociobiology, the investment theory of recovery accords with the goals of corrective justice as …
The Unintended Consequence Of Tort Reform In Michigan: An Argument For Reinstating Retailer Product Liability, Ashley L. Thompson
The Unintended Consequence Of Tort Reform In Michigan: An Argument For Reinstating Retailer Product Liability, Ashley L. Thompson
University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform
Tort reform became an important issue during the 1994 Congressional Campaign as part of the Republican Party's "Contract with America. "Since then, many federal and state laws have attempted to reduce both liability and recovery in tort actions. In 1996, Michigan passed the Tort Reform Act, encompassing many drastic changes to state tort law. One provision of the Act, § 294 7, scaled back liability against non-manufacturing retailers in product liability actions. The Michigan Supreme Court interpreted the exceptions of the law narrowly and the prohibition broadly, essentially barring recovery from retailers. Since 1996, this provision has prevented victims injured …
Walking The Beach To The Core Of Sovereignty: The Historic Basis For The Public Trust Doctrine Applied In Glass V. Goeckel, Robert Haskell Abrams
Walking The Beach To The Core Of Sovereignty: The Historic Basis For The Public Trust Doctrine Applied In Glass V. Goeckel, Robert Haskell Abrams
University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform
In 2004, a split panel of the Michigan Court of Appeals announced its conclusion that Michigan littoral owners of property owned to the water's very edge and could exclude members of the public from walking on the beach. In that instant almost 3300 miles of the Great Lakes foreshore became, in theory and in law, closed to public use. The case became the leading flash point of controversy between the vast public and ardent private property rights groups. A little more than one year later, the Michigan Supreme Court reversed that ruling as errant on public trust grounds and returned …
Rethinking Gender Opportunities: Nontraditional Sports Seasons And Local Preferences, Kristen Boike
Rethinking Gender Opportunities: Nontraditional Sports Seasons And Local Preferences, Kristen Boike
University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform
In Communities for Equity v. Michigan High School Athletic Association, the Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed a district court decision, holding that the scheduling of high school girls' sports in "nontraditional" seasons in Michigan violated the Equal Protection Clause. The Supreme Court of the United States, granting certiorari, vacated and remanded this case back to the Sixth Circuit. This Note suggests reasons why the Sixth Circuit and/or the United States Supreme Court should protect the Michigan High School Athletic Association's (MHSAA) current scheduling of sports seasons. Specifically, using the model provided by Romer v. Evans and …
Crafting An Advocate For A Child: In Support Of Legislation Redefining The Role Of The Guardian Ad Litem In Michigan Child Abuse And Neglect Cases, Albert E. Hartmann
Crafting An Advocate For A Child: In Support Of Legislation Redefining The Role Of The Guardian Ad Litem In Michigan Child Abuse And Neglect Cases, Albert E. Hartmann
University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform
Michigan's current statutory system leaves the role of the child's attorney unclear. In this Note, Hartmann advocates the adoption of a legislative proposal that will redefine the role of the child's attorney. The proposal specifies that the child's primary legal representative should be a guardian ad litem who will represent the best interests of the child. Hartmann begins by describing the current system and then analyzes how the proposal will modify the role of the child's attorney. Hartmann argues that the proposed changes would be highly beneficial and identifies specific points of improvement. Hartmann concludes by suggesting several reforms to …
Electronic Mail And Michigan's Public Disclosure Laws: The Argument For Public Access To Governmental Electronic Mail, Daniel F. Hunter
Electronic Mail And Michigan's Public Disclosure Laws: The Argument For Public Access To Governmental Electronic Mail, Daniel F. Hunter
University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform
This Note explores the potential for citizens to request electronic mail (e-mail) records from government agencies using public disclosure laws, with emphasis on the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). E-mail is a medium that has come to replace both telephone calls and paper documents for many purposes. The applicability of public disclosure laws to e-mail, however, is less than clear. Telephone conversations by public employees for most purposes are confidential, while paper records created by those same employees can be requested under the FOIA. Thus, should public e-mail remain private and confidential or should it be subject to FOIA …
Community Development Banking Strategy For Revitalizing Our Communities, Rochelle E. Lento
Community Development Banking Strategy For Revitalizing Our Communities, Rochelle E. Lento
University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform
CDCUs and CDLFs may outnumber CDBs, but their scope of lending activity pales in comparison. Despite CDBs' relatively small number, their impact on their respective communities warrants an in-depth discussion of their structures and formulas for success. This Article will provide an overview of the CDBs in the United States. Part I first sets forth the legal structure and purpose of CDBs, and then reviews the history and current status of mature CDBs and emerging CDBs. Part II considers community development credit unions, after which Part III gives community development loan funds similar treatment. Finally, Part IV analyzes the potential …
Equity In Public Education: School-Finance Reform In Michigan, William S. Koski
Equity In Public Education: School-Finance Reform In Michigan, William S. Koski
University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform
This Note argues that the only adequate compromise between the pressure to limit taxes and the need to provide both educational quality and equity is to institute a form of full-state funded education. Part I of this Note briefly defines equity in public education and discusses the importance of increasing equity. Part II discusses other values and concerns that arise in the school-finance debate, such as liberty, local control, efficiency, and quality of education. Part III considers several fundamental school-finance alternatives. Part IV provides a historical overview of Michigan school finance reform and a description of the current State School …
Michigan's Teacher Certification Requirement As Applied To Religiously Motivated Home Schools, Donald D. Dorman
Michigan's Teacher Certification Requirement As Applied To Religiously Motivated Home Schools, Donald D. Dorman
University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform
This Note defends the thesis that the teacher-certification requirement of Michigan's compulsory attendance statute is unconstitutional as applied to people who, for sincere religious reasons, believe they must teach their children at home. Michigan courts have incorrectly applied a rational-basis test in regulating religiously motivated home schools, rather than the strict scrutiny required by the U.S. Supreme Court for cases involving both the free exercise of religion and parents' interest in directing their children's education.
The Relevance Of Temporary Child Custody Orders To The Formation Of An Established Custodial Environment: A Model Statute For Uniform Application Under Michigan Law, Christine M. Drylie
The Relevance Of Temporary Child Custody Orders To The Formation Of An Established Custodial Environment: A Model Statute For Uniform Application Under Michigan Law, Christine M. Drylie
University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform
This Note presents a Model Statute that clearly indicates when a court may find that an established custodial environment has arisen out of a temporary custody order. The Model Statute thus clarifies when it is appropriate to apply the clear and convincing evidentiary standard to situations involving temporary child custody orders. Part I of this Note describes the court's use of temporary custody orders to determine whether an established custodial environment exists. Part II sets forth the Model Statute, which integrates current case law into statutory language designed specifically for temporary custody situations. Part II also analyzes each section of …
Rape Shield Laws--Is It Time For Reinforcement?, Catherine L. Kello
Rape Shield Laws--Is It Time For Reinforcement?, Catherine L. Kello
University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform
This Note takes a critical look at civil suits arising from allegations of rape, particularly from the perspective of how these actions run counter to the spirit of rape reform and rape shield legislation. The analysis begins with a brief history of the Rape Shield Law and its intended purposes. Part II then utilizes two cases to outline the current dilemma posed by civil suits that are filed during a pending criminal sexual conduct prosecution. After presenting these cases, Part III considers whether a legislative remedy is required and determines that it is. Part IV then proposes a Model Statute. …
Improving Handicappers' Civil Rights In Michigan--Preventing Discrimination Through Accommodation, Aldebaran Bouse Enloe
Improving Handicappers' Civil Rights In Michigan--Preventing Discrimination Through Accommodation, Aldebaran Bouse Enloe
University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform
Part I of this Note explains the development of· the current state of handicappers' civil rights law in Michigan, beginning with legislative initiatives and progressing to administrative and judicial decisions. Part II analyzes traditional antidiscrimination theory and suggests how that theory can be adapted to handicappers. By examining hypothetical situations, Part III exposes the disparity between the current state of the law in Michigan and the proposed theoretical analysis and suggests amendments to the MHCRA to reconcile this disparity.
Psychiatric Assistance For Indigent Defendants Pleading Insanity: The Michigan Experience, Paul Zisla
Psychiatric Assistance For Indigent Defendants Pleading Insanity: The Michigan Experience, Paul Zisla
University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform
The federal government and many states already provide psychiatric assistance to indigent defendants pleading insanity. Michigan's statutory scheme for delivering this service presents an opportunity to evaluate an approach that generally favors defendant interests in areas left unresolved by Ake. This Note undertakes that evaluation. Part I summarizes the Ake decision, key problem areas, and the research methodology. Part II describes the Michigan statutory system. Part III evaluates that system using data from interviews with legal and psychiatric practitioners and considers the consequences of Michigan's approach to the issues posed by Ake. The evaluation shows that Michigan's system …
Farmland And Open Space Preservation In Michigan: An Empirical Analysis, Sandra A. Hoffmann
Farmland And Open Space Preservation In Michigan: An Empirical Analysis, Sandra A. Hoffmann
University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform
Part I of this Note describes the political and economic conditions that gave rise to the farmland and open space preservation enactments. It presents a brief political history of the support for this body of legislation and summarizes the economic arguments raised both for and against these preservation efforts. Part II describes the principal types of state farmland and open space preservation programs enacted during the past thirty years. Finally, Part III presents an empirical analysis of P.A. 116.
School Metal Detector Searches And The Fourth Amendment: An Empirical Study, Myrna G. Baskin, Laura M. Thomas
School Metal Detector Searches And The Fourth Amendment: An Empirical Study, Myrna G. Baskin, Laura M. Thomas
University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform
This Note is an empirical study of the weapons searches in the Detroit public schools. Part I traces the history of the Detroit public school searches describes how the searches were conducted, and explains the procedure implemented when a student was arrested or detained. Part II addresses the constitutionality of the search policy and concludes that the current sweep procedure violates the fourth amendment. Part III suggests a number of constitutional, and more effective, methods to decrease the number of weapons and the amount of violence in the Detroit high schools.
House Of Judah: The Problem Of Child Abuse And Neglect In Communes And Cults, Gregory M. Gochanour
House Of Judah: The Problem Of Child Abuse And Neglect In Communes And Cults, Gregory M. Gochanour
University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform
This Note argues that although some modifications were appropriate, state intervention and removal of children, even from a commune or cult, should be handled through examination of each individual parent/child relationship. Part I examines the statutory and case law framework for state intervention and removal of children from the custody of abusive parents in Michigan, and discusses the policies supporting these laws. Part II examines the circumstances present in the House of Judah and notes the state's departures from the statutes and rules. Part III analyzes and evaluates the usefulness and wisdom of these departures. Finally, Part IV briefly proposes …
Evaluating Michigan's Guilty But Mentally Ill Verdict: An Empirical Study, Gare A. Smith, James A. Hall
Evaluating Michigan's Guilty But Mentally Ill Verdict: An Empirical Study, Gare A. Smith, James A. Hall
University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform
Because Michigan's GBMI statute has been in effect for several years, enough data exists to assess the statute's use and practical effect. The purpose of this Project is to evaluate the statute and thus provide guidance for those legislatures considering similar proposals. This Project concludes that the new verdict has completely failed in its intended purpose. Part I describes the statute's history, legislative purpose, and procedural mechanics. Part II analyzes the displacing effect of the GBMI verdict on other verdicts, and sets forth empirical data on the disparate characteristics of defendants who raise the insanity defense and are subsequently found …
Relief For Prison Overcrowding: Evaluating Michigan's Accelerated Parole Statute, Frank T. Judge Iii
Relief For Prison Overcrowding: Evaluating Michigan's Accelerated Parole Statute, Frank T. Judge Iii
University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform
This Note describes and analyzes Michigan's Prison Overcrowding Emergency Powers Act. Part I reviews briefly current efforts to relieve prison overcrowding and concludes that traditional remedies are largely inadequate. Part II examines the early prisoner release statute and its implementation. Finally, Part III evaluates the statute's success in relieving prison overcrowding .
The Nonprofit Health Care Corporation Reform Act Of 1980, David L. Hollister, Patience A. Drake
The Nonprofit Health Care Corporation Reform Act Of 1980, David L. Hollister, Patience A. Drake
University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform
In recent years, Blue Cross/Blue Shield has been the subject of considerable controversy. Its critics charge the non-profit, tax-exempt corporation with being unduly secretive, arrogantly unresponsive to consumer interest and not vigorous in its cost containment efforts. These criticisms, along with a variety of other factors, led to the legislative reform I am here to talk to you about this evening.
Workers' Compensation Reform: A Case Study Of The Legislative Process In Michigan, Robert Vanderlaan, Richard K. Studley
Workers' Compensation Reform: A Case Study Of The Legislative Process In Michigan, Robert Vanderlaan, Richard K. Studley
University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform
At a 1979 workers' compensation seminar for the Michigan Legislature, University of Michigan law professor Marcus Plant closed by noting that "[m]y intent was to sketch in broad strokes the background of our workers' disability compensation law. It is my firm belief that wise decisions as to where we should go cannot be made unless we know how we got where we are. " I share Professor Plant's belief. I feel strongly that wise public policy decisions about where we should go next in the reform process depend substantially on a good understanding of how we got where we are …
Toxic Substance Contamination: The Risk-Benefit Approach To Causation Analysis, Bradford W. Kuster
Toxic Substance Contamination: The Risk-Benefit Approach To Causation Analysis, Bradford W. Kuster
University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform
This article argues that the dilemma described above requires change and proposes a new standard for causation in this type of toxic contamination case. Part I examines the difficulties posed by conventional common law relief mechanisms, and the inadequacies of existing statutory relief mechanisms. Part II scrutinizes a more lenient burden of proof standard, the risk-benefit approach, which some courts have applied when faced with situations involving scientific uncertainties. The risk-benefit approach will be applied to causation analysis in the context of damage recoveries, using the. Hemlock, Michigan, situation as a case study. Part III discusses present congressional proposals, and …
Michigan's Nursing Home Reform Law, John D. Croll
Michigan's Nursing Home Reform Law, John D. Croll
University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform
This article examines Michigan's new nursing home reform law, which has been hailed as "landmark legislation" and as a model for the entire country. Part I examines the past failures of nursing home regulation and the need for reform. Part II analyzes the law's key provisions. Part III examines the weaknesses of certain enforcement measures. The article proposes the following improvements: (1) extension of the law's protection to residents of homes for the aged; (2) greater access to patients by approved organizations; (3) adoption of nurse-patient ratios; (4) improvement of inspection procedures; and (5) allowance for patients or their representatives …
In Memoriam: Talbot Smith, Donald P. Lay
In Memoriam: Talbot Smith, Donald P. Lay
University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform
My goal this evening is first to reflect upon Talbot Smith's life as an unusual and gifted person and second, to underscore his career not so much as the judicial giant he was, but as a tremendous witness and teacher to all mankind.
The Constitutionality Of Michigan's Guilty But Mentally Ill Verdict, John M. Grostic
The Constitutionality Of Michigan's Guilty But Mentally Ill Verdict, John M. Grostic
University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform
This article will assess the constitutionality of the statute providing for a GBMI verdict by examining the likely, impact of this statute on the constitutional rights of legally insane defendants. Part I will briefly outline the relevant provisions of the GBMI statute. Part II will consider whether legally insane defendants have a constitutional right to an insanity defense. Part III will then argue that some defendants, though legally insane at the time they committed allegedly criminal acts, will nevertheless be found GBMI rather than NGRI.