Law Commons^™

Is It Time For The Court To Accept The O.F.F.E.R.? Applying Smith V. Organization Of Foster Families For Equality And Reform To Promote Clarity, Consistency, And Federalism In The World Of De Facto Parenthood, Eric A. Degroff, Steven W. Fitschen

Eric A DeGroff

The question of psychological, or de facto, parents and their rights versus biological or adoptive parents has been percolating through the state and lower federal courts for some years. Given the disparity in approaches and the constitutional issues implicated, it is likely that the Supreme Court will take up this issue, and it may well do so in the near future. When it does, it is imperative that the Court adopt a test that will serve American society and her children and families well. This article proposes such a test.

The argument could be made that, absent a finding …

It's The Constitution, Stupid: Two Liberals Pay Tribute To Antonin Scalia's Legacy, Adam Lamparello, Charles E. Maclean

Adam Lamparello

Living constitutionalism may achieve “good” results, but with each Roe v. Wade, and Bush v. Gore, the Constitution’s vision takes more shallow breaths, and democracy fades into elitism’s shadow. The debate over constitutional interpretation is, in many ways, reducible to this question: if a particular outcome is desirable, and the Constitution’s text is silent or ambiguous, should the United States Supreme Court (or any court) disregard constitutional constraints to achieve that outcome? If the answer is yes, nine unelected judges have the power to choose outcomes that are desirable. If the answer is no, then the focus must be on …

It's The Constitution, Stupid: Two Liberals Pay Tribute To Antonin Scalia's Legacy, Adam Lamparello, Charles E. Maclean

Adam Lamparello

Living constitutionalism may achieve “good” results, but with each Roe v. Wade, and Bush v. Gore, the Constitution’s vision takes more shallow breaths, and democracy fades into elitism’s shadow. The debate over constitutional interpretation is, in many ways, reducible to this question: if a particular outcome is desirable, and the Constitution’s text is silent or ambiguous, should the United States Supreme Court (or any court) disregard constitutional constraints to achieve that outcome? If the answer is yes, nine unelected judges have the power to choose outcomes that are desirable. If the answer is no, then the focus must be on …