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Full-Text Articles in Law
It Is Not So Simply Because An Expert Says It Is So: The Reliability Of Gang Expert Testimony Regarding Membership In Criminal Street Gangs: Pushing The Limits Of Texas Rule Of Evidence 702., Placido G. Gomez
St. Mary's Law Journal
The mechanisms developed by the criminal justice system addressing the criminal activities of street gangs, for the most part, have proved ineffective. The evolution of gangs, their complex structure, and multipurpose focus keep them one step ahead of law enforcement. The most recent weapon created to fight the war on gangs, the civil injunction, suffers from numerous inadequacies. One concern is that civil injunctions raise numerous constitutional concerns. Another is that these injunctions fall short of constitutional demands. Furthermore, the practical implementation of the injunction forces an analysis of the reliability of the gang expert’s testimony. This Article proposes courts …
Rethinking The Prohibition Of Death Row Prisoners As Organ Donors: A Possible Lifeline To Those On Organ Donor Waiting Lists., Donny J. Perales
Rethinking The Prohibition Of Death Row Prisoners As Organ Donors: A Possible Lifeline To Those On Organ Donor Waiting Lists., Donny J. Perales
St. Mary's Law Journal
Organ transplantation continually brings hope and new life to thousands of patients suffering from a myriad of diseases. Despite the advances in medical science and the increased survival rates of organ recipients, many are unable to receive an organ transplant because the demand for organs drastically exceeds the available supply. Much of the organ deficit lies in the current system of organ procurement. The altruism-based organ system leaves the donative decision to the individual; however, it is this system which hinders effective organ procurement. Under this system, the donor must give prior consent before a doctor can remove any organ. …
Tactical Considerations In Defending Assigned Legal Malpractice Claims Essay., William D. Cobb Jr.
Tactical Considerations In Defending Assigned Legal Malpractice Claims Essay., William D. Cobb Jr.
St. Mary's Law Journal
Every Texas lawyer with a legal malpractice defense docket should be aware of the Zuniga rule and its possible exceptions. Although the general rule in Texas is that causes of action are freely assignable, because of the ruling in Zuniga v. Groce, Locke & Hebdon, legal malpractice causes of action are unassignable. The Texas Supreme Court declined to hear the case with the notation “writ refused” essentially adopting the lower court’s opinion as its own. Nonetheless, the decision in Zuniga did not resolve the problem of the insolvent judgment debtor, nor did Zuniga purport to invalidate all agreements that dispose …
Iolta In The Balance: The Battle Of Legality And Morality Between Robin Hood And The Miser Recent Development., Katherine L. Smith
Iolta In The Balance: The Battle Of Legality And Morality Between Robin Hood And The Miser Recent Development., Katherine L. Smith
St. Mary's Law Journal
Interest on Lawyers Trust Account (IOLTA) programs recently survived a constitutional challenge. IOLTA programs require interest earned from trust accounts deposited with client money to fund legal services for the poor. Many states, including Texas, maintain a mandatory IOLTA program, requiring all lawyers who handle client funds to participate. Proponents of IOLTA argue it benefits civil justice. Opponents argue it is an unconstitutional taking in violation of the Fifth Amendment. The Fifth Circuit held IOLTA accounts to be an unconstitutional taking of client property. The Ninth Circuit, however, found IOLTA accounts constitutional, holding that IOLTA accounts are not a taking …
Novel Issues, Futile Issues, And Appelate Advocacy: The Troubling Lessons Of Bousley V. United States., Henry J. Bemporad, Sarah P. Kelly
Novel Issues, Futile Issues, And Appelate Advocacy: The Troubling Lessons Of Bousley V. United States., Henry J. Bemporad, Sarah P. Kelly
St. Mary's Law Journal
Bousley v. United States may require appellate attorneys to raise meritless claims in order to preserve them for habeas review in the event of a change in the law. Bousley is a habeas corpus case involving the “procedural default” doctrine. The doctrine states that a prisoner may only raise issues that have been adequately preserved, and if not preserved, they have defaulted on their claims. Bousley looked with critical hindsight at the decisions made by appellate counsel and punished the defendant for their lawyer’s failure to preserve an issue rejected by eleven courts of appeals—including the court before which the …
Accountants' Accountability To Nonclients In Texas., Jessica P. Gomez
Accountants' Accountability To Nonclients In Texas., Jessica P. Gomez
St. Mary's Law Journal
This Comment proposes that accountants be held liable to any foreseeable user of their work product to ensure the deterrence of negligence on their part. Currently, the three main common law theories concerning whether nonclients can sue accountants for negligence are: (1) the privity rule; (2) the Restatement (Second) of Torts § 552; and (3) the foreseeability standard. Many states follow the Restatement approach entitled “Information Negligently Supplied for the Guidance of Others.” Texas imposes liability on accountants but fails to extend protections to third parties who rely upon the accuracy of financial statements. Further, Texas liability does not expose …
Punitive Damages In Texas: Examining The Need For A Split-Recovery Statute., Meredith Matheson Thoms
Punitive Damages In Texas: Examining The Need For A Split-Recovery Statute., Meredith Matheson Thoms
St. Mary's Law Journal
As a result of the increasing number and amounts of punitive damage awards, a call for reform is much warranted. Reformers and legislators continue to seek out measures to effectively limit excessive punitive damage awards and deter unnecessary and frivolous litigation. But they must consider not only the effects of the statutes but also the purposes they will serve. Split-recovery statutes can become valuable reform tool which will continue to serve the goals of punishment and retribution attached to punitive damages as well as deterrence. Split-recovery statutes arguably enlarge government, but they also serve a valuable purpose in furthering the …
The Effect Of 8 U. S. C. 1324(D) In Transporting Prosecutions: Does The Confrontation Clause Still Apply To Alien Defendants., Donna F. Coltharp
The Effect Of 8 U. S. C. 1324(D) In Transporting Prosecutions: Does The Confrontation Clause Still Apply To Alien Defendants., Donna F. Coltharp
St. Mary's Law Journal
Cases prosecuted under 8 U.S.C. §1324 present special challenges for the Government and for defendants. Under §1324, it is a crime to transport or smuggle aliens into the United States. Prosecuting transporters or smugglers may present a challenge if a witness is unavailable. Even though transporting or smuggling always has witnesses—the alien(s) who hired the smuggler or transporter—not all witnesses have prolonged detentions, and some are returned to their native country. The transporter or smuggler may then assert their Sixth Amendment right. The Sixth Amendment’s Confrontation Clause requires that in all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to …
Privacy Lost: Comparing The Attenuation Of Texas's Article 1, Section 9 And The Fourth Amendment., Kimberly S. Keller
Privacy Lost: Comparing The Attenuation Of Texas's Article 1, Section 9 And The Fourth Amendment., Kimberly S. Keller
St. Mary's Law Journal
The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution requires that all searches and seizures be reasonable. Article I, Section 9 of the Texas Constitution mirrors its federal counterpart, requiring reasonableness in regard to intrusive governmental action. In examining these texts, both the federal and state provisions are comprised of two independent clauses: (1) the Reasonableness Clause, which prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures; and (2) the warrant clause, which provides that warrants may issue only upon a showing of probable cause. Both the federal and Texas constitutions include explicit language regulating the government’s right to intrude on a person’s privacy. This …
When Parents And Educators Clash: Are Special Education Students Entitled To A Cadillac Education., Judith Deberry
When Parents And Educators Clash: Are Special Education Students Entitled To A Cadillac Education., Judith Deberry
St. Mary's Law Journal
Due to the ambiguous language of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), there is uncertainty concerning IDEA’s requirements. IDEA mandates that all school districts receiving federal education monies provide for the education of disabled students. According to IDEA, each state must provide disabled children with “free appropriate public education” (FAPE) that emphasizes special education and related services designed to meet the student’s unique needs and prepare him or her for employment and independent living. Parents have argued that IDEA requires school districts to compensate them for commercial programs and private school costs. Courts have held that an individual education …
The Toxic Mold Terrifying Texas: Mold's Hold On The Insurance Industry., Sylvia Pena-Alfaro
The Toxic Mold Terrifying Texas: Mold's Hold On The Insurance Industry., Sylvia Pena-Alfaro
St. Mary's Law Journal
It is imperative that more scientific research concerning the effects of mold be conducted to better understand the consequences of long-term exposure to mold. Because of home and building modifications to conserve energy, mold has been able to thrive. Reports of illnesses allegedly caused by mold exposure have increased. No scientific evidence, however, exists that conclusively links the illnesses to the effects of mold. Only a limited number of scientific studies exist showing just how harmful toxic mold can be, but there is disagreement as to whether the harmful effects of toxic mold can compromise the immune system to such …
In Re V.L.K. V. Troxel: Is The Best Interest Standard In A Motion To Modify The Sole Managing Conservator Subject To A Due Process Or Course Challenge., David F. Johnson
In Re V.L.K. V. Troxel: Is The Best Interest Standard In A Motion To Modify The Sole Managing Conservator Subject To A Due Process Or Course Challenge., David F. Johnson
St. Mary's Law Journal
Texas Family Code section 156.101 is unconstitutional. In In re V.L.K, the Texas Supreme Court held that the Texas Legislature removed the injurious retention element from section 156.101 and no longer required a finding that the natural parent be injurious to the welfare of the child. The Texas Supreme Court’s ruling is contradictory to the United States Supreme Court’s ruling in Troxel v. Granville. In Troxel, the Supreme Court struck down a state statute that effectively permitted any third party to file a motion to challenge custody. Under Texas law, any affected party, not limited to parties named in the …
Insurance Companies Use Of Captive Or In-House Counsel To Represent Insured Constitutes The Unauthorized Practice Of Law: Is American Home The Right Decision For Texas Comment., Daniel M. Martinez
Insurance Companies Use Of Captive Or In-House Counsel To Represent Insured Constitutes The Unauthorized Practice Of Law: Is American Home The Right Decision For Texas Comment., Daniel M. Martinez
St. Mary's Law Journal
Insurance companies should not be allowed to continue the practice of hiring in-house or captive counsel to defend against a claim covered by their insurance policy. Under a typical liability insurance policy, the insurer has a duty to defend. When legal counsel is retained, the insurer pays for the representation and has a contractual right to control the defense. This places defense counsel in a precarious situation because he or she has to balance the contractual obligations to the insurer against his or her ethical responsibilities to the insured. The defense counsel may be exposed to a malpractice claim by …
Jury Patriotism: The Jury System Should Be Improved For Texans Called To Serve., K. B. Battaglini, Mark A. Behrens, Cary Silverman
Jury Patriotism: The Jury System Should Be Improved For Texans Called To Serve., K. B. Battaglini, Mark A. Behrens, Cary Silverman
St. Mary's Law Journal
Many citizens seem to embrace the jury system, so long as they do not have to participate. The reason for this is not that most citizens are “un-American” but rather the burden jury duty imposes on potential jurors. Texans, in general, continue to overwhelmingly support the jury system. Yet, many citizens fail to appear for jury duty when summoned or strive to get out of jury duty after entering the courthouse. Most of these individuals do not lack a sense of civic duty. Rather, they are discouraged from jury service due to the hardship and headache imposed by an antiquated …
Putting Health Care Providers At A Loss And Consumers At Risk: Why Hmos Should Be Held Accountable For The Financial Instability Of Their Delegated Networks., Anish P. Michael
Putting Health Care Providers At A Loss And Consumers At Risk: Why Hmos Should Be Held Accountable For The Financial Instability Of Their Delegated Networks., Anish P. Michael
St. Mary's Law Journal
This Comment explores why health maintenance organizations (HMOs) such as PacifiCare should be held accountable for the financial instabilities of their delegated networks. Part II discusses the organization of the managed care system and the assessment of Texas laws currently enforcing managed care in the state. Incorporated in this discussion is a look at the risks delegated networks bear when contracting with HMOs to provide payment for individualized care. Part III analyzes the increasing trend of financial instability by presenting the views of the HMOs, the delegated networks, the health care providers, and the consumers enrolled in the health plan. …