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Full-Text Articles in Law
Reasoning V. Rhetoric: The Strange Case Of “Unconstitutional Beyond A Reasonable Doubt”, Hugh D. Spitzer
Reasoning V. Rhetoric: The Strange Case Of “Unconstitutional Beyond A Reasonable Doubt”, Hugh D. Spitzer
Articles
An odd formulation has frequented American constitutional discourse for 125 years: a declaration that courts should not overturn a statute on constitutional grounds unless it is “unconstitutional beyond a reasonable doubt.” This concept has been thought of as a presumption, a standard, a doctrine, or a philosophy of coordinate branch respect and judicial restraint. Yet it has been criticized because “beyond a reasonable doubt” is at root an evidentiary standard of proof in criminal cases rather than a workable theory or standard for deciding constitutional law cases. This article discusses the history and use of “unconstitutional beyond a reasonable doubt,” …
New Life For The ‘Criteria Tests’ In State Constitutional Jurisprudence: ‘Gunwall Is Dead—Long Live Gunwall”, Hugh D. Spitzer
New Life For The ‘Criteria Tests’ In State Constitutional Jurisprudence: ‘Gunwall Is Dead—Long Live Gunwall”, Hugh D. Spitzer
Articles
Outlines the develoment of state constitutional jurisprudence in Washington State between 1986 and 2006. Provides a general theory of state constitutional analysis, and recommends retention of the "creteria" approach to application of state constitutions, primarily as an interpretive tool.
Bearing Arms In Washington State, Hugh D. Spitzer
Bearing Arms In Washington State, Hugh D. Spitzer
Articles
Article I, Section 24 of the Washington State Constitution directly affects two "hot topics" today: first, the increase in the carrying of weapons by the citizenry (particularly concealed weapons, with or without permits) and, second, the increase in "citizen militias" in various parts of the state. Article I, Section 24 also presents interesting issues from a pure state-constitutional-law standpoint, because it represents one of the striking characteristics of state constitutions: these basic documents of civil society for each state represent centuries of buildup and accretion. State constitutional provisions can often be analyzed in terms of layering. In preparing a state …
A Washington State Income Tax - Again?, Hugh D. Spitzer
A Washington State Income Tax - Again?, Hugh D. Spitzer
Articles
This Article shows how, because of changes in key rulings of the United States Supreme Court and in other state court rulings on the character of income taxes, Washington’s legislature could now implement a graduated net income tax on both individuals and businesses. The Article concludes that such a net income tax measure could lawfully be enacted by today’s legislature without amending the state’s constitution.
An Analytical View Of Recent Lending Of Credit Decisions In Washington State, Hugh D. Spitzer
An Analytical View Of Recent Lending Of Credit Decisions In Washington State, Hugh D. Spitzer
Articles
Sections 5 and 7 of article VIII of the Washington State Constitution, concerning gifts or loans by the state and by local governments, have been a source of confusion to the courts and frustration to the sponsors of government programs. Although some have proposed a single formula for applying the provisions, attempts to create a single rule or set of coherent rules for interpreting these problematical provisions are apt to fail. The constitutional language is complex, involving numerous elements, each of which must be present for the prohibition to apply. Rather than a single formula governing the application of these …