Digital Commons Network^™

Race, Religion, And Rfra: The Implications Of Burwell V. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. In Employment Discrimination, Hanna Martin

Cardozo Law Review de•novo

This Note argues that an employer who wishes to discriminate in hiring based on race—despite contrary federal law—can easily state a claim under the federal or a state RFRA. The plaintiff’s prima facie case will be satisfied if its beliefs are sincere, religiously motivated, and substantially burdened by antidiscrimination laws. This Note also argues that even if the government has a compelling interest in preventing discrimination against employees, in light of the Court’s ruling in Hobby Lobby, the RFRA claimants will still be granted an exemption.

New Models For Prosecutorial Accountability, Ellen Yaroshefsky

Cardozo Law Review de•novo

There has been significant and increasing attention to prosecutorial accountability for misconduct in recent years by courts and disciplinary authorities, in some prosecutors’ offices and by defense organizations, in academia, and of course, in popular media. In great measure, this attention is the result of the remarkable work of the Innocence Project and Innocence networks around the country. It is also the result of awakening to the fault lines in the criminal justice system—such as mass incarceration—and to the disproportionate targeting of black and brown people for arrest and prosecution. Of course, this attention is all exacerbated by the Internet, …

Enforcing Compliance With Constitutionally-Required Disclosures: A Proposed Rule, Emmet G. Sullivan

Cardozo Law Review de•novo

To provide a striking example of the need for a federal disclosure rule, in Part I, I briefly summarize a report on the discovery abuses that occurred in the case of United States v. Theodore F. Stevens. In Part II, I describe efforts beginning in 2003 to amend Rule 16. In Part III, I provide an overview of the local district court disclosure rules and standing orders nationwide. Part III also provides the proposed rule now being considered for adoption by the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.

The Road To Adopting And Implementing Systemic Disclosure Changes In The Dallas County District Attorney’S Office, Susan Hawk, Patricia J. Cummings

Cardozo Law Review de•novo

Discovery and Brady are currently two of the most discussed and debated topics in our criminal justice system. Americans have become more and more aware of the number of individuals convicted and incarcerated for crimes they did not commit. In 2007, in a very bold and innovative move, the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office created the Conviction Integrity Unit (CIU) to reexamine questionable convictions to determine if a particular defendant was in fact guilty.

Regional International Criminal Courts: An Idea Whose Time Has Come?, Firew Kebede Tiba

Cardozo Journal of Conflict Resolution

Regionalism in international relations is a fact of life. Regional judicial implementation of international norms is relatively common in the fields of international human rights, international investment, and trade laws. There are attempts to break ground in the realm of international criminal law by creating a regional international criminal court, such as the proposed addition of the criminal jurisdiction to the African Court of Justice and Human Rights. Although there was momentum in creating a universal permanent international criminal court, the enthusiasm for the tribunal's exercise of jurisdiction has not continued. The International Criminal Court ("ICC") will remain short of …

Annotated Legal Bibliography

Cardozo Journal of Equal Rights & Social Justice

No abstract provided.

Whole Other Story: Applying Narrative Mediation To The Immigration Beat, Carol Pauli

Cardozo Journal of Conflict Resolution

If Donald Trump, in kicking off his campaign for the White House, was saying "what everyone is thinking" about illegal immigration, it must be that his message mirrored a narrative that already existed in the minds of his audience. That fearful story of criminals invading the U.S. borders has long been a dominant theme in the mainstream news immigration story. Like all news stories, this one focuses attention on some facts at the expense of others. Like many news stories, it draws its power from earlier, well-known tales-some as old as The Flood. This article reconsiders news stories-and the storytelling …

Athletes Have Rights Too, Right? Investigating The Extreme Unfairness In Sports' Purported Supreme Authority - Why The International Court Of Arbitration For Sport Fails To Reign Supreme, Zachary Gotlib

Cardozo Journal of International and Comparative Law

The note argues that the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), despite its role as a leading body in international sports dispute resolution, fails to achieve true supremacy due to systemic unfairness. CAS lacks key principles of fairness, particularly in its treatment of individual athletes compared to powerful entities like teams and leagues, hindering its ability to be recognized as a supreme judicial body.

Enhancing The Community Relations Service Arsenal: A Restorative Justice Solution For Community Conflicts With Local Law Enforcement That Have A Race-Relations Basis, David B. Rabbani

Cardozo Journal of Conflict Resolution

This Note proposes that restorative justice should be incorporated by the CRS to promote fairness and to foster a change in the definition of success for the agency to include more permanent and inspiring solutions that have the potential to prevent conflict in other parts of the country. Part A of Section II provides background on the shooting of Michael Brown and the reaction in both Ferguson and the U.S. in general along with perceptions and facts about race-relations in Ferguson. Part B of Section II focuses on the CRS and its creation, history, and methods. Part C of Section …

Reducing Recidivism Of Violent Offenders Through Victim-Offender Mediation: A Fresh Start, Laura Ravinsky

Cardozo Journal of Conflict Resolution

This Note will examine how VOM between victims and violent offenders improves the criminal justice system and reduces recidivism. The Note will propose that there is a better remedy for violent crime than punitive prison sentences absent genuine efforts to reform. In Section II, this Note will discuss the breakdown of the U.S. criminal justice system, particularly the excessive incarceration rate and the ineffectiveness of the current retributive scheme, followed by a history and overview of VOM. Next, it will discuss the issue of prison recidivism, how it affects our society on both a social and economic level, and the …

Assessing Time Served, Patrick A. Woods

Cardozo Public Law, Policy & Ethics Journal

This article examines the utility of a new way of determining when increased punishment should be imposed pursuant to "three strikes" laws or other recidivist enhancements. In the past two years, Congress and the United States Sentencing Commission are each considering criminal justice reform measures that would use the length of time an offender spent incarcerated as a proxy for the seriousness of his earlier criminal conduct. While this reform seems sound at first glance, this article ultimately concludes that its incorporation into current state and federal sentencing laws must be done carefully, if at all, and that doing so …

Said I, 'But You Have No Choice': Why A Lawyer Must Ethically Honor A Client's Decision About Mental Health Treatment Even If It Is Not What S/He Would Have Chosen, Michael L. Perlin, Naomi M. Weinstein

Cardozo Public Law, Policy & Ethics Journal

The article argues that lawyers representing individuals with mental disabilities have an ethical responsibility to prioritize their clients' expressed preferences and autonomy, rejecting the presumption that substituted decisionmaking is acceptable. It critiques the legal system's reliance on paternalistic approaches and highlights the importance of supported decisionmaking, as mandated by international human rights law, particularly under the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). The analysis emphasizes the need for legal frameworks and attorney practices to align with therapeutic jurisprudence, which prioritizes psychological well-being and dignity while upholding due process principles.

Masthead - Cardozo Arts & Entertainment Law Journal, Vol. 34 (2015-16)

Cardozo Arts & Entertainment Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Introduction: New Models For Prosecutorial Accountability, Russell Shapiro

Cardozo Law Review de•novo

The criminal justice system in the United States was established on a simple notion: “that it is better that ten guilty persons escape, than that one innocent suffer.” It is for this reason that a prosecutor’s burden at trial is so demanding, requiring proof beyond a reasonable doubt. Yet, while a vast majority of prosecutors are committed to the highest ethical standards, with troubling frequency, some high profile exonerations shed light on systemic problems, most often involving failures by prosecutors and other law enforcement officials to disclose exculpatory and impeachment evidence as required by Brady v. Maryland.

To address …

"Boys Will Be Boys, And Girls Will Get Raped": How Public School Dress Codes Foster Modern Day Rape Culture, Stephan Wah

Cardozo Journal of Equal Rights & Social Justice

The note argues that public school dress codes perpetuate rape culture by disproportionately targeting female students, reinforcing patriarchal norms, and contributing to gender-based discrimination. These dress codes, often justified as preventing distractions, instead shame girls and place the responsibility of boys' behavior on them, thereby normalizing the objectification of women and supporting systemic sexism.

Back Down To Bullying? The Detrimental Effects Of Zero Tolerance Policies On Bullied Adolescents, Devon L. Disiena

Cardozo Journal of Equal Rights & Social Justice

The note critiques zero tolerance policies in schools, arguing that they disproportionately harm bullied adolescents by failing to consider their circumstances, leading to unjust disciplinary actions and discouraging victims from seeking help. It advocates for legislative reforms, particularly in New York, to include self-defense as a mitigating factor in disciplinary decisions.

Keeping Our Kids In School And Out Of Court: Rooting Out School Suspension Hearings And A New Alternative, Rachel Klein

Cardozo Journal of Conflict Resolution

This Note proposes an alternative model that can help a child improve his behavior in school, without removing the student from class. Section I of this Note examines the historical and legal context governing school suspension as a whole, specifically making reference to and analyzing New York State school suspension practices. Section II analyzes the effectiveness of school suspension and the methods used in New York to fix this system. In Section III, this Note proposes the use of arbitration as a superior mode of resolution and explains why Board of Education Arbitration is an effective model that helps students …

Mediating Domestic Violence Disputes In Chinese Immigrant Families In The U.S.: The Case For Court-Appointed Mediation Programs, Kevin Lam

Cardozo Journal of Conflict Resolution

Chinese immigrants, particularly those that lack legal status, have historically mistrusted the U.S. legal system. Not only are they wary of the adversarial nature of court proceedings, but also language and cultural barriers frequently prevent them from gaining meaningful access to relief. As a result, issues that arise from within the Chinese immigrant community are generally addressed privately or with the assistance of community leaders. In the case of domestic violence, cultural norms and values about gender roles typically deter battered immigrant women from seeking help in the first place. Undocumented immigrant women are more susceptible to deportation and are …

Masthead - Cardozo Arts & Entertainment Law Journal, Vol. 35 (2016-17)

Cardozo Arts & Entertainment Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Annotated Legal Bibliography On Gender

Cardozo Journal of Equal Rights & Social Justice

No abstract provided.

Table Of Contents - Cardozo Journal Of Equal Rights & Social Justice, Vol. 22, Iss. 3

Cardozo Journal of Equal Rights & Social Justice

No abstract provided.

Dirty Laws: A Critique Of The Audiovisual Media Services Regulations 2014 And Section 63 Of The Criminal Justice And Immigration Act 2008, Daniel Haley

Cardozo Journal of Equal Rights & Social Justice

The United Kingdom's recently enacted anti-pornography laws, the Audiovisual Media Services Regulations 2014 and section 63 of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008, are inconsistent with the European Convention on Human Rights, United Kingdom case law, and United Kingdom public policy. The Audiovisual Media Services Regulations 2014, which bans the sale of a wide array of domestically produced pornography, and the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008, which criminalizes the possession of "extreme pornography, " are among the most restrictive anti-pornography laws in the democratic world. These laws were passed in response to the rise of the Internet, which …

Cutting Female Genital Mutilation From The United States: A European-Influenced Proposal To Alter State And Federal Legal Responses When Affording Relief To Somali Victims In Minnesota, Pooja Shah

Cardozo Journal of Equal Rights & Social Justice

The note advocates for a comprehensive legal and public health approach to combat Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in the United States, particularly focusing on Somali immigrants in Minnesota. It highlights the inadequacies of current federal and state laws in addressing FGM and proposes a new legislative framework inspired by European models to strengthen penalties, improve enforcement, and raise awareness.

Annotated Legal Bibliography On Gender

Cardozo Journal of Equal Rights & Social Justice

No abstract provided.

A Limited Right To Be Forgotten To Protect The Privacy Rights Of Juvenile Offenders, Danyaw Chen

Cardozo Journal of Equal Rights & Social Justice

The note advocates for the adoption of a right to be forgotten for juvenile offenders in the U.S., inspired by the EU's approach, to protect their privacy and future prospects in the digital age. It critiques the U.S. system for inadequate protection of juvenile privacy and proposes a mechanism to remove certain search results related to juvenile offenses, while addressing constitutional challenges and balancing privacy rights with free speech.

Parental Kidnapping: An Epidemic That Is Escalating, Michael Samson

Cardozo Journal of Equal Rights & Social Justice

The note examines the complex legal and emotional challenges surrounding international parental child abduction, emphasizing the limitations of existing legal frameworks like The Hague Convention and the need for a more comprehensive approach to address this growing issue. It highlights the psychological and jurisdictional complexities involved, particularly when countries like China and Russia are not signatories to the Convention. The analysis advocates for stronger enforcement mechanisms, international cooperation, and preventive measures to protect children and families affected by such abductions.

Annotated Legal Bibliography

Cardozo Journal of Equal Rights & Social Justice

No abstract provided.

The Commander In Chief's Authority To Combat Climate Change, Mark P. Nevitt

Cardozo Law Review

Climate change is the world's greatest environmental threat. It is also increasingly understood as a threat to domestic and international peace and security. In recognition of this threat, the President has taken the initiative to prepare for climate change's impact - in some cases drawing sharp objections from Congress. While both the President and Congress have certain constitutional authorities to address the national security threat posed by climate change, the precise contours of their overlapping powers are unclear. As Commander in Chief, the President has the constitutional authority to repel sudden attacks and take care that the laws are faithfully …

Threshold Liberty, Dawinder S. Sidhu

Cardozo Law Review

The Supreme Court's Thirteenth Amendment precedent is no longer sustainable. For starters, that precedent - which holds that the Amendment prohibits the "badges and incidents" of slavery, and that Congress has the power to "rationally" determine what constitutes a "badge or incident" of slavery - raises serious federalism and separation of powers concerns. To make matters worse, the Court itself has recently restricted the enforcement provisions of the Fourteenth Amendment (in City of Boerne v. Flores) and Fifteenth Amendment (in Shelby County v. Holder), rendering the generous bounds of the Thirteenth Amendment enforcement power an outlier among the …

Taxing Legalized Marijuana: How Courts Should Treat Drug Tax Statutes In Light Of The Fifth Amendment's Self-Incrimination Clause And Executive Non-Enforcement Of The Controlled Substances Act, Joseph A. Goldstein

Cardozo Law Review

No abstract provided.