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Full-Text Articles in Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility

Legislative Redistricting In 1991-1992: The Texas Bill Of Rights V. The Voting Rights Act., James C. Harrington, Judith Sanders-Castro Jan 1994

Legislative Redistricting In 1991-1992: The Texas Bill Of Rights V. The Voting Rights Act., James C. Harrington, Judith Sanders-Castro

St. Mary's Law Journal

Every decade, after the federal government has taken the census, Americans endure the process of redistricting Congress, state legislatures, county commissioner precincts, school boards, city councils, and a host of other elected bodies. Governed by the interplay of federal, state, and local law, the reapportionment process would seem to be a relatively easy task in theory. Yet, overriding forces unique to the political arena and the judiciary’s voice in redistricting questions undermine the implementation of such a simple system. Narrow interpretation of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 by the United State Supreme Court and lower federal courts further intensify …


Time Limitations For Objecting To Claims: The Interplay Between Sections 502(D) And 546(A) Of The Bankruptcy Code., Gregory G. Hesse Jan 1994

Time Limitations For Objecting To Claims: The Interplay Between Sections 502(D) And 546(A) Of The Bankruptcy Code., Gregory G. Hesse

St. Mary's Law Journal

It is common lore among bankruptcy trustees and lawyers that a bankruptcy trustee has an unlimited time period under the Bankruptcy Code (the Code) to file objections to claims. Neither Section 502(a) of the Code nor Federal Rule of Bankruptcy Procedure 3007 contains time limitations within which an objection to a claim must be filed. Yet, creative creditor attorneys have fashioned arguments that the two-year limitations period placed on avoidance actions by Section 546(a) of the Code applies to claim objection proceedings brought under Section 502(d). Because courts have held the limitations period of Section 546(a) applies to claim objection …


The Supreme Court Takes A Weapon From The Drug War Arsenal: New Defenses To Civil Drug Forfeiture., Scott Alexander Nelson Jan 1994

The Supreme Court Takes A Weapon From The Drug War Arsenal: New Defenses To Civil Drug Forfeiture., Scott Alexander Nelson

St. Mary's Law Journal

This Comment discusses the history and development of forfeiture law—emphasizing the misnomer of “guilty property”—and addresses the lack of constitutional safeguards in the civil forfeiture statutes. It outlines prospective constitutional defenses announced by the United States Supreme Court, emphasizing the Fifth Amendment guarantee of due process, the Eighth Amendment’s Excessive Fines Clause, and the “innocent owner” defense. The federal statute authorizing civil forfeiture, 21 U.S.C. § 881 (Forfeiture Statute), was initially enacted as part of the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970. The Comprehensive Forfeiture Act of 1984 amended the statute to impose forfeiture on real property …


Enhanced Punishment Under The Texas Hate Crimes Act: Politics, Panacea, Or Pathway To Hell., David Todd Smith Jan 1994

Enhanced Punishment Under The Texas Hate Crimes Act: Politics, Panacea, Or Pathway To Hell., David Todd Smith

St. Mary's Law Journal

Nearly without exception, modern legislatures have responded to the reprehensible nature and detrimental social effects of hate crime by enacting laws specifically designed to punish the offender’s discriminatory animus. The term “hate crime” describes criminal conduct which is motivated by the offender’s bias or prejudice against another cognizable group. Although the reprehensible nature of a hate crime is often apparent from the facts of any given case, the repercussions of these offenses exceed the ignoble character of any one specific act. Texas has now joined the ranks of these jurisdictions by adopting legal provisions which authorize heightened penalties upon a …


The Failure Of The Act: Conceptions Of The Law In The Merchant Of Venice, Bleak House, Les Miserables, And Richard Weisberg’S Poethics, Daniel H. Lowenstein Jan 1994

The Failure Of The Act: Conceptions Of The Law In The Merchant Of Venice, Bleak House, Les Miserables, And Richard Weisberg’S Poethics, Daniel H. Lowenstein

Cardozo Law Review

Richard Weisberg is a leading participant in the academic subfield known as "Law and Literature," which is dedicated to what Weisberg aptly describes as "the delightful task of associating two major human enterprises: establishing justice and telling stories."In his most recent book, Poethics: And Other Strategies of Law and Literature, Weisberg attempts to provide, "more systematically . . . than elsewhere," a "guidebook to Law and Literature theory and practice." Several of the chapters in Poethics were written for other occasions and previously published; accordingly, it is no surprise that Weisberg succeeds more in demonstrating his critical acuity, the …


In Pursuit Of The Counter-Text: The Turn To The Jewish Legal Model In Contemporary American Legal Theory, Suzanne Last Stone Feb 1993

In Pursuit Of The Counter-Text: The Turn To The Jewish Legal Model In Contemporary American Legal Theory, Suzanne Last Stone

Articles

Beginning with Professor Robert Cover's Nomos and Narrative, contemporary American legal scholars have increasingly turned, implicitly or more directly, to the Jewish legal tradition as an example of a legal system in which law is defined not by reference to the authority and power of the State, but rather by the commitment of a legal community to voluntarily-accepted legal obligations. These scholars depict the Jewish legal system as having successfully confronted - and resolved - several central dilemmas currently facing American law by maintaining a coherent legal system while accepting behavioral and interpretive pluralism. In this Article, Professor Stone shows …


A Note To Our Readers, The Editors Jan 1993

A Note To Our Readers, The Editors

Touro Law Review

No abstract provided.


Judicial Conduct Jan 1993

Judicial Conduct

Touro Law Review

No abstract provided.


Bias In The Washington Courts: A Call For Reform, Melisa D. Evangelos Jan 1993

Bias In The Washington Courts: A Call For Reform, Melisa D. Evangelos

Seattle University Law Review

Because of the documented threat that racial and gender bias pose to the effective administration of justice in Washington, this Comment advocates amending the Washington Rules of Professional Conduct to explicitly make intentional gender and racial bias an act of attorney misconduct and to discipline any attorney who engages in such behavior. Section I of this Comment identifies and describes instances of attorney behavior that result in gender and racial bias and explains the impact of such bias on attorneys, clients, and the judicial system. Section II explores similar anti-bias rules proposed or in place in other states. Section III …


Right To Confrontation Jan 1993

Right To Confrontation

Touro Law Review

No abstract provided.


Trial By Jury Jan 1993

Trial By Jury

Touro Law Review

No abstract provided.


Proof Of Attorney's Fees In Texas., Scott A. Brister Jan 1993

Proof Of Attorney's Fees In Texas., Scott A. Brister

St. Mary's Law Journal

In Texas, the complex and confusing rules defining proof of attorney’s fees require simplification. Texas, like many other states, follows the American Rule, meaning the plaintiff and defendant each pay their own attorney’s fees. The United States is the only common-law jurisdiction and virtually the only industrialized democracy following the American Rule. Two primary justifications support following the American Rule. First, the American Rule supports individuals seeking a judicial remedy by removing the obstacle of paying an opponent’s legal fees. Second, it reduces potential litigation, attendant time and expense that would be necessary to dispute legal fees if they were …


Use Of Excessive Physical Force Against An Inmate May Constitute Cruel And Unusual Punishment Even Though The Prisoner Does Not Suffer Significant Injury., Anthony A. Avey Jan 1993

Use Of Excessive Physical Force Against An Inmate May Constitute Cruel And Unusual Punishment Even Though The Prisoner Does Not Suffer Significant Injury., Anthony A. Avey

St. Mary's Law Journal

In Hudson v. McMillian, the Supreme Court held that use of excessive physical force against an inmate may constitute cruel and unusual punishment even though the prisoner does not suffer any significant injury. The Eighth Amendment has evolved significantly since its adoption in 1791, becoming a complex line of authority which over time expanded the rights of criminals and convicts. Recent cases have attempted to mold the varying Eight Amendment standards into a more cohesive legal doctrine. These efforts were meant to clarify the doctrine of cruel and unusual punishments; however, the divergent interpretations of these decisions rendered Eighth Amendment …


Summary Of The Convention Between The Government Of The United States Of America And The Government Of The United Mexican States For The Avoidance Of Double Taxation And The Prevention Of Fiscal Evasion With Respect To Taxes On Income., Raul S. Moreyra Jan 1993

Summary Of The Convention Between The Government Of The United States Of America And The Government Of The United Mexican States For The Avoidance Of Double Taxation And The Prevention Of Fiscal Evasion With Respect To Taxes On Income., Raul S. Moreyra

St. Mary's Law Journal

To prevent double taxation and income tax evasion, the Mexico and United States governments signed a convention in September 1992. The convention establishes when businesses may be subject to either United States or Mexico tax liabilities. Key to the application of the convention is the concept of permanent establishment. Permanent establishment is the designation given to a business situated in Mexico that transacts operations for a United States enterprise. This designation determines which nation, the United States or Mexico, will collect taxes from the business. If the business is a permanent establishment, the Mexican government will collect taxes. The types …


Tending The Bar In Texas: Alcoholism As A Mitigating Factor In Attorney Discipline., Patricia Sue Heil Jan 1993

Tending The Bar In Texas: Alcoholism As A Mitigating Factor In Attorney Discipline., Patricia Sue Heil

St. Mary's Law Journal

This Comment describes the nature and scope of alcoholism and chemical dependency in the legal profession. It reviews the current state of the law regarding alcoholism as a mitigating factor in attorney discipline. Addictive illnesses manifest themselves in ways which leave afflicted attorneys unable to practice law in accordance with professional rules of conduct. The majority of attorney-discipline cases involve alcoholism or chemical dependency. An attorney whose illness remains untreated will likely become the subject of grievance-committee investigations. For disciplinary cases involving alcoholism, a suggested analysis includes establishing a nexus between illness and misconduct. Additionally, it includes a causal connection …


Consent Decrees Resulting From Institutional-Reform Litigation May Be Modified Upon Showing A Significant Change In Law Or Fact And A Modification Appropriately Tailored To That Change., Christy J. Lindsay Jan 1993

Consent Decrees Resulting From Institutional-Reform Litigation May Be Modified Upon Showing A Significant Change In Law Or Fact And A Modification Appropriately Tailored To That Change., Christy J. Lindsay

St. Mary's Law Journal

In Rufo v. Inmates of Suffolk County Jail, the Court held that courts may modify consent decrees resulting from institutional reform litigation upon showing a significant change in law or fact and a modification appropriately tailored to that change. The case of Swift v. United States set a strict standard for modification of consent decrees, requiring movants to demonstrate extreme, unexpected hardship and oppression. However, there is a modem trend toward adopting a more flexible standard. The Court deems the “flexible test” as particularly appropriate in the case of the institutional reform consent decree because of its speculative, long-term nature. …


The New Agrarian Law - Mexico's Way Out., Adrianna De Aguinaga Jan 1993

The New Agrarian Law - Mexico's Way Out., Adrianna De Aguinaga

St. Mary's Law Journal

The New Agrarian Law was passed based on a Mexican consensus demanding a better way of life for millions of farmers. Because of low agricultural productivity by the ejido—land common to all the neighbors—and the difficulties for the ejidatarios—members of the ejido—to obtain credit, an armed insurrection resulted. Mexico was forced to find a solution by trying to redistribute the agrarian lands equitably through agrarian reform. Unlike prior amendments which proved inefficient, the New Agrarian Law is applicable to companies and to ejidos. The New Agrarian Law will permit higher productivity in the Mexican agricultural sector and will increase the …


Judges On Judging: A Bibliography., Shirley S. Abrahamson, Susan M. Fieber, Gabrielle Lessard Jan 1993

Judges On Judging: A Bibliography., Shirley S. Abrahamson, Susan M. Fieber, Gabrielle Lessard

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract Forthcoming.


Agricultural Trade Wars: A Threat To The Gatt And Global Free Trade., Thomas J. Schoenbaum Jan 1993

Agricultural Trade Wars: A Threat To The Gatt And Global Free Trade., Thomas J. Schoenbaum

St. Mary's Law Journal

Agriculture, today, is the center of a set of multi-dimensional international controversies and crises. International agricultural strife threatens the future of the global free-trade system. This strife soured relations between the United States and its principal allies and trading partners: Canada, the European Community (EC), and Japan. The agricultural trade controversy is at the heart of the bitter stalemate of the Uruguay Round of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) negotiations. The deadlock over farm trade called into question the very future of the GATT as an international organization. Controversies over agriculture also endanger approval of the recently …


The Texas Employer's Liability In Tort For Injuries To An Employee Occurring In The Course Of The Employment., David W. Robertson Jan 1993

The Texas Employer's Liability In Tort For Injuries To An Employee Occurring In The Course Of The Employment., David W. Robertson

St. Mary's Law Journal

The focus of this Article is tort suits by employees, or their families, based on personal injury or death occurring in the course and scope of the worker’s employment. If an injury does not occur in the course and scope of employment, the defendant’s status as employer becomes irrelevant; the lawsuit is a common-law tort action, and the defendant has all of the common-law defenses. In 1989 the Texas Legislature repealed the former workers’ compensation law and replaced it with the new Texas Workers’ Compensation Act. The new Act took effect on January 1, 1991. The essentially voluntary nature of …


The Legal Dilemma Of Groundwater Under The Integrated Environmental Plan For The Mexican-United States Border Area., M. Diane Barber Jan 1993

The Legal Dilemma Of Groundwater Under The Integrated Environmental Plan For The Mexican-United States Border Area., M. Diane Barber

St. Mary's Law Journal

This paper will explore the dilemma of implementing an appropriate legal format to best guide proposals for resolution of groundwater contamination. It will review groundwater under the Integrated Environmental Plan for the Mexico-United States Border Area (the Plan) and examine groundwater law in Mexico and in the four border states from a historical perspective. It will consider existing agreements between the two countries and propose adoption of the Bellagio Draft Treaty as the only legally viable means of achieving long-term remedial groundwater solutions. This paper, however, will also note isolated situations may be effectively addressed by the IBWC Minute, pending …


Mexico's Accession To The Gatt: A Catalyst At Odds With The Outcome., John M. Vernon Jan 1993

Mexico's Accession To The Gatt: A Catalyst At Odds With The Outcome., John M. Vernon

St. Mary's Law Journal

The history behind Mexico’s accession to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) sheds light on Mexico’s progression toward improved bilateral trade relations with the United States. Mexico embarked on its modernization and reform path with its accession to the GATT in 1987. The recent initialing of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) by Canada, Mexico, and the United States is a symbolic event in the continued globalization of the world economy. The trilateral NAFTA is revolutionary because of Mexico’s participation. Part II of this article addresses Mexico’s progression toward accession to the GATT. Part III provides an …


The Arbitration Of Private Commercial Disputes Between Residents Of Texas And Mexico., Wayne I. Fagan, Carlos Gabuardi Arreola Jan 1993

The Arbitration Of Private Commercial Disputes Between Residents Of Texas And Mexico., Wayne I. Fagan, Carlos Gabuardi Arreola

St. Mary's Law Journal

This paper evaluates whether the Texas International Arbitration Act (TIAA) will be a helpful addition to the laws governing arbitration of private commercial disputes between residents of Texas and Mexico. Owing to differences among cultures, languages, and legal systems, attorneys in the United States and in Mexico are turning to binding arbitration for the resolution of international disputes. Texas enacted an International Arbitration Act in 1989 to foster expanded international trade and facilitate resolution of international commercial disputes through conciliation and arbitration. Proponents of international arbitration argue it is the method of choice for resolution of private commercial disputes due …


Customs Enforcement And The Nafta., Robert T. Givens, Rayburn Berry Jan 1993

Customs Enforcement And The Nafta., Robert T. Givens, Rayburn Berry

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract Forthcoming.


Lawyer-Bashing: It's Time To Turn The Tide Perspective., Ward Blacklock Jan 1993

Lawyer-Bashing: It's Time To Turn The Tide Perspective., Ward Blacklock

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract Forthcoming.


Congressional Reform: Can Term Limitations Close The Door On Political Careerism., Julia C. Wommack Jan 1993

Congressional Reform: Can Term Limitations Close The Door On Political Careerism., Julia C. Wommack

St. Mary's Law Journal

Addressing Congressional woes requires reform. Entrenched incumbency is a detriment to the legislative system. Although the enactment of initiatives restricting Congressional terms limits signal voters agree, better alternatives exist. The only prerequisites found in the Constitution for serving in Congress are age, residency, and citizenship. While the twenty-second amendment proscribes the presidential office limit maximum as two terms, no such limitations exist for a congressman or congresswoman. Sitting incumbents have substantial advantages over their challengers. Incumbents success ratio exceeds 80% in Senate races and is approximately 90% for elections in the House of Representatives. Congressional term limitations attempt to eliminate …


Criminal Trespass And The Exclusionary Rule In Texas., Paul R. Stone, Henry De La Garza Jan 1993

Criminal Trespass And The Exclusionary Rule In Texas., Paul R. Stone, Henry De La Garza

St. Mary's Law Journal

In State v. Hobbs, the Texas Fourth Court of Appeals held a warrantless intrusion by police onto private property to obtain evidence constitutes criminal trespass under Section 30.05 of the Texas Penal Code. The resulting evidence falls within the exclusionary rule and this article considers whether this protection, which goes beyond constitutional guarantees, is necessary or desirable. The first part of this paper reviews existing federal and state constitutional protections against unreasonable searches. Next, the paper analyzes the history and purpose of criminal trespass and the exclusionary rule in Texas. Finally, the paper considers a question the court of appeals …


Enactments Altering Or Reallocating Elected Officials' Powers Do Not Directly Relate To Or Affect Voting And Are Therefore Not Subject To Judicial Or Administrative Preclearance Under Section 5 Of The Voting Rights Act Of 1965., Sharon N. Humble Jan 1993

Enactments Altering Or Reallocating Elected Officials' Powers Do Not Directly Relate To Or Affect Voting And Are Therefore Not Subject To Judicial Or Administrative Preclearance Under Section 5 Of The Voting Rights Act Of 1965., Sharon N. Humble

St. Mary's Law Journal

In Presley v. Etowah County Comm’n, the Court held enactments altering or reallocating elected officials’ powers do not directly relate to or affect voting. Therefore, not subject to judicial or administrative preclearance under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. However, the Court’s holding in Presley, that the changes at issue must directly relate to voting, contradicts the Court’s earlier holdings that indirect or minor changes affecting voting must meet Section 5 preclearance requirements. In Presley, the Court limited the coverage of Section 5 by holding that enactments reallocating elected officials’ decision-making authority do not require judicial or …


Private Property And Russia's Leap Of Faith., Douglas R. Haddock Jan 1993

Private Property And Russia's Leap Of Faith., Douglas R. Haddock

St. Mary's Law Journal

Popular notions of property are enshrined in constitutional protections which seem to make quite clear society’s emphasis on the individual’s preeminence in matters of property. Americans have never been able to accept the “socialist ownership” notions of the Soviet Union and other socialist countries as a viable scheme of property. It is probably irrefutable that the application of socialist ownership principles in the Soviet Union has been less efficient than the American model of private ownership. Yet, it is reactionary to entirely condemn the idea of socialist ownership and conclude the downfall of the Soviet Union proved the “rightness” of …


Industrialization In The Borderlands And The Nafta Treaty., Phillip D. Hardberger Jan 1993

Industrialization In The Borderlands And The Nafta Treaty., Phillip D. Hardberger

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract Forthcoming.