Constitutional Law Commons^™

Raising The Bars: A Comparative Look At Treatment Standards For Mentally Ill Prisoners In The United States, United Kingdom, And Australia, Kim P. Turner

Cardozo Journal of International and Comparative Law

The note examines the treatment of mentally ill prisoners in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, highlighting the disparity in mental health care within their prison systems. It argues that while the U.K. and Australia have integrated international human rights standards into their policies, the U.S. lags behind, relying on an outdated Eighth Amendment framework that fails to meet contemporary human rights expectations. The author advocates for the U.S. to reevaluate its approach, aligning it with international standards to ensure adequate mental health care for prisoners.

Tax Incentives For Economic Development: Personal (And Pessimistic) Reflections, Edward A. Zelinsky

Articles

No abstract provided.

Rethinking Tax Nexus And Apportionment: Voice, Exit, And The Dormant Commerce Clause, Edward A. Zelinsky

Articles

The dormant Commerce Clause concept of tax nexus is best understood as a rough, but serviceable, proxy for the taxpayer's standing in the political process. This perspective leads me to defend Quill Corporation v. North Dakota and the much maligned physical presence test for tax nexus. As a matter of legislative policy, the critics of this test may be correct. However, as a matter of constitutional law, the courts should adhere to an expanded physical presence standard as Congress crafts for the long term broader nexus rules based on economic presence. Taxation is an inherently and irreducibly political matter. An …

A V. State Of Israel, Dorit Beinisch, Edmond E. Levy, Ayala Procaccia

Translated Opinions

[This abstract is not part of the Court's opinion and is provided for the reader's convenience. It has been translated from a Hebrew version prepared by Nevo Press Ltd. and is used with its kind permission.] 

Appeals challenging the decisions of the District Court who upheld the legality of the appellants’ arrests under the Internment of Unlawful Combatants Law 5762-2002 (hereinafter: the Act.) We are concerned with the private case of the appellants, residents of the Gaza Strip, who in 2002-2003 were arrested in an administrative arrest under the security legislation that applies in the strip, when as a result …

Eliahu V. Government Of Israel, Edmond E. Levy, Salim Joubran, Yoseph Elon

Translated Opinions

These petitions concern the Government’s general policy decision to reduce the number of non-Israelis employed in the ethnic restaurant industry. The Petitioners challenge a line of decisions reducing the number of permits for the employments of foreign cooks in ethnic and fusion restaurants, and later the requirement of a higher pay for the employee – which would reflect the expertise at the foundation of the restaurant’s wishes to employ that person – in order to secure a permit.

The High Court of Justice (in an opinion written by Justice Levy, with Justices Joubran and Elon joining) rejected the petitions and …

Haifa University V. Oz, Esther Hayut, Miriam Naor, Dorit Beinisch

Translated Opinions

Facts:  The petitioner employed respondents 1-3 (hereinafter – the respondents) as lecturers in the Theatre Department. Against the background of complaints concerning the management of the department, an Investigative Committee was established, which decided not to renew the employment of respondents 2-3 and to transfer respondent 1 to another department. The Regional Labour Court rejected the respondent's request to order the petitioner to provide them with all of the material relied upon by the Committee, including protocols and testimony, ruling that the material they had received sufficed to allow for an adequate response on the respondents' part to the claims. …

Against Freedom Of Commercial Expression, Tamara R. Piety

Cardozo Law Review

No abstract provided.

Rethinking Child Advocacy After Roper V. Simmons: "Kids Are Just Different" And "Kids Are Like Adults" Advocacy Strategies, Elisa Poncz

Cardozo Public Law, Policy & Ethics Journal

The article examines the tension between two competing arguments in juvenile law: "kids are just different" and "kids are like adults." It critiques the binary approach often used in child advocacy and proposes a more nuanced, patchwork strategy that combines both perspectives to better serve the diverse needs of juveniles. The analysis focuses on key legal contexts, including the death penalty, life without parole, and minors' rights in medical decision-making, education, and internet access. The author argues that a balanced approach is essential to address the complexities of juvenile rights and responsibilities.

What's Left Of The Twenty-First Amendment?, Jonathan M. Rotter, Joshua S. Stambaugh

Cardozo Public Law, Policy & Ethics Journal

The article examines the evolving jurisprudence of the Twenty-first Amendment and its intersection with the Dormant Commerce Clause, arguing that the Supreme Court has increasingly adopted a balanced approach. This approach prioritizes preventing economic discrimination while respecting state regulatory authority over liquor. The analysis highlights a shift away from a broad interpretation of the Twenty-first Amendment, emphasizing that states must justify discriminatory liquor regulations under a strict scrutiny standard. The Court’s rulings, particularly in Granholm v. Heald, have opened markets to out-of-state producers, promoting a more uniform national liquor market.

The Politicization Of The Designation Of Foreign Terrorist Organizations: The Effect On The Separation Of Powers, Julie B. Shapiro

Cardozo Public Law, Policy & Ethics Journal

The article critiques the U.S. process for designating foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs) under the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 (AEDPA) and subsequent amendments, arguing that the concentration of power in the Executive Branch undermines the separation of powers and risks politicization. The process, while intended to deter terrorism, often lacks transparency, adequate oversight, and judicial scrutiny, leading to potential misuse and unintended consequences, such as radicalizing targeted groups. The author advocates for reforms to restore constitutional principles and ensure the process remains effective and legitimate.

Transatlanticisms: Constitutional Asymmetry And Selective Reception Of U.S. Law And Economics In The Formation Of European Private Law, Fernanda G. Nicola

Cardozo Journal of International and Comparative Law

The recurrent claim made by judges, scholars, and lawyers shaping the debate on European private law is that there is a constitutional asymmetry in the European Union (EU). The asymmetry lies in the fact that European Community competences mostly encompass market and economic matters at the expense of social issues, while Member States have full jurisdiction over social matters but only limited jurisdiction over economic matters. Thus, the European constitutional structure leads to a market/technocratic orientation in its supranational institutions, as opposed to the social/political orientation of Member State governments. The pervasiveness of this claim allows jurists critiquing European adjudication …

Are Journalists Privileged?: Panel Discussion, Anthony Lewis, Max Frankel, Victor Kovner

Cardozo Law Review

No abstract provided.

Ahmed V. Prime Minister, Dorit Beinisch, Esther Hayut, Yoseph Elon

Translated Opinions

[This abstract is not part of the Court's opinion and is provided for the reader's convenience. It has been translated from a Hebrew version prepared by Nevo Press Ltd. and is used with its kind permission.]

A petition challenging the Respondents’ decision to reduce or to limit the supply of gasoline and electricity to the Gaza Strip.

The Supreme Court sitting as a High Court of Justice rejected the Petition, finding that:

The State of Israel has no duty to make possible the transporting of unlimited electricity and gasoline to the Gaza Strip, under circumstances that some of these products …

Straddling The Civil-Criminal Divide: A Bifurcated Approach To Understanding The Nature Of Immigration Removal Proceedings, Peter L. Markowitz

Articles

The article challenges the traditional classification of removal proceedings as civil, arguing that expulsion, particularly for permanent residents, functions similarly to criminal punishment and should therefore be treated as criminal. It proposes a bifurcated approach distinguishing exclusion and expulsion, advocating for criminal protections in expulsion proceedings to align with historical and constitutional principles.

Change Of Sex Designation On Transsexuals' Birth Certificates: Public Policy And Equal Protection, Stephanie Markowitz

Cardozo Journal of Equal Rights & Social Justice

The note examines the legal inconsistencies in the United States regarding the amendment of birth certificates for postoperative transsexual individuals, highlighting the disparity in treatment between male-to-female (MTF) and female-to-male (FTM) transsexuals. It argues that these inconsistencies violate the Equal Protection Clause by subjecting similarly situated individuals to different standards, often requiring MTF transsexuals to undergo more invasive surgeries than FTM transsexuals. The author advocates for a more equitable approach, emphasizing the importance of medical professionals' opinions and aligning legal standards with modern understandings of gender identity.

Letting "Privates" Be Private: Toward A Right Of Gender Selfdetermination, Samuel E. Bartos

Cardozo Journal of Equal Rights & Social Justice

The note examines the contradictory landscape of transgender jurisprudence, particularly focusing on the legal struggles of transgender individuals to achieve recognition of their gender identity. It highlights the Kansas Supreme Court's decision in In the Matter of the Estate of Marshall G. Gardiner, which denied legal recognition of a transgender individual's marriage, contrasted with more progressive rulings in other jurisdictions. The analysis underscores the need for a consistent and inclusive legal framework to address the rights of transgender individuals, emphasizing the potential for future Supreme Court intervention to establish uniform standards.

Taking Denial Seriously: Genocide Denial And Freedom Of Speech In French Law, Sévane Garibian

Cardozo Journal of Conflict Resolution

The French National Assembly's adoption of a bill penalizing the denial of the Armenian genocide (October 12, 2006), later followed by the German plan to outlaw genocide denial throughout European Union, stoked the vigorous French debate on the connection between genocide denial and law and, more generally, between history and law. The main criticism expressed by the detractors of laws against negationism - in particular historians - is the following: penalization of denial constitutes a violation of freedom of expression and, as such, represents a threat to democracy.

Wedlock, Blood Relationship, And Citizenship, Logan Bobo

Cardozo Journal of Equal Rights & Social Justice

The note examines the conflicting interpretations of U.S. nationality law under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), particularly focusing on whether citizenship transmission requires a blood relationship or can be based on the legal status of the parents' marriage. It argues that the Ninth Circuit's interpretation, which does not require a blood relationship for children born in wedlock, better aligns with the INA's goals of promoting family unity and avoiding gender-based discrimination. The note critiques the State Department's interpretation, as outlined in the Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM), for lacking statutory and judicial support, and highlights the need for congressional or …

Amending The Massachusetts Parental Notification Statute, Yuval Simchi-Levi

Cardozo Journal of Equal Rights & Social Justice

The note argues that the Massachusetts Parental Notification Statute, enacted in 1996, should be amended to explicitly permit public schools to teach about sexual orientation in the context of promoting tolerance without requiring parental notification. The statute's ambiguity regarding whether such discussions fall under "human sexual education or human sexuality issues" has led to hesitation among schools and legal challenges. The author contends that clarifying the statute would align it with Massachusetts' commitment to diversity and tolerance, as reflected in court rulings like Goodridge v. Department of Public Health.

Congressional Oversight Of National Security Activities: Improving Information Funnels, Heidi Kitrosser

Cardozo Law Review

No abstract provided.

"The Perpetuation Of Our Political Institutions": Lincoln, The Powers Of The Commander In Chief, And The Constitution, Michael Les Benedict

Cardozo Law Review

No abstract provided.

Franklin D. Roosevelt, Commander In Chief, Elizabeth L. Hillman

Cardozo Law Review

No abstract provided.

The Calling Forth Clause And The Domestic Commander In Chief, Stephen I. Vladeck

Cardozo Law Review

No abstract provided.

Intention Is All There Is: A Critical Analysis Of Aharon Barak's Purposive Interpretation In Law, Stanley Fish

Cardozo Law Review

No abstract provided.

First Amendment Decisions From The October 2006 Term, Erwin Chemerinsky, Marci A. Hamilton

Articles

No abstract provided.

Agbar V. Idf Commander In Judaea And Samaria, Elyakim Rubinstein, Edmond E. Levy, Yoram Danziger

Translated Opinions

Facts: In 2007, an administrative detention order was made against the petitioner in HCJ 9441/07 on the ground that he was active in the Hamas organization and presented a threat to security in the territories. The order was made for six months and was subsequently renewed for an additional period of six months.

In 2006, an administrative detention order was made against the petitioner in HCJ 9454/07 on the ground that he was active in the Popular Front terrorist organization and presented a threat to security in the territories. The order was made for six months and was subsequently renewed …

Emunah V. Prime Minister, Ayala Procaccia, Asher Grunis, Edna Arbel

Translated Opinions

Facts: MK Ramon was convicted of committing an indecent act. According to statute, a person is barred from being a member of the Knesset or a cabinet minister only if he has been convicted of an offence involving moral turpitude and is given a custodial sentence. The court that sentenced MK Ramon did not give him a custodial sentence and it held that the offence did not involve moral turpitude.

Shortly after serving the sentence of community service, MK Ramon was appointed a member of the government with the position of Deputy Prime Minister. The appointment was approved by the …

Throwing Down The International Gauntlet: Same-Sex Marriage As A Human Right, Vincent J. Samar

Cardozo Public Law, Policy & Ethics Journal

The article argues that nations have a moral and legal obligation to recognize same-sex marriages performed abroad, grounded in human rights principles and the framework of equality. It contends that the right to marry is a fundamental human right, rooted in dignity and self-fulfillment, and that denying recognition to same-sex marriages violates these principles. The analysis draws on Gewirth's rationalist approach to human rights and U.S. constitutional law, particularly the Fourteenth Amendment's Equal Protection and Due Process Clauses, to advocate for universal recognition of same-sex marriage as a matter of equality and liberty.

Separating Civil Unions And Religious Marriage-A New Paradigm For Recognizing Same-Sex Relationships, Dov Berger

Cardozo Public Law, Policy & Ethics Journal

The note argues that civil marriage laws defining marriage as between a man and a woman violate the Establishment Clause by favoring one religious perspective over another. It proposes a solution to this constitutional issue by advocating for the separation of civil unions from religious marriage, drawing on New York's kashrut and get laws as a model. The analysis focuses on two key cases, Hernandez v. Robles and Lewis v. Harris, to highlight the legal and religious tensions surrounding same-sex marriage. The author suggests that replacing marriage with a civil union system would respect both legal and religious traditions …

"Prologue To A Farce?" A Historical Perspective On The Aipac Case And The Applicability Of The Espionage Act To Journalists, Peter Shapiro

Cardozo Public Law, Policy & Ethics Journal

The note argues that the expansion of the Espionage Act of 1917 to prosecute private citizens, as seen in the AIPAC case, poses a significant threat to press freedom and democratic governance. This shift marks a dangerous precedent, as it potentially criminalizes activities protected by the First Amendment, such as journalism, and undermines the balance between national security and the public's right to know.