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United States Customs Law Affecting The Movement Of Goods Into And Out Of Mexico., Robert T. Givens, Rayburn Berry

St. Mary's Law Journal

Trade between the United State and Mexico rose dramatically over the past decade. Several factors account for this increase in trade. These factors include the relative weakness of the Mexican currency, growth of the maquiladora industry, and increased Mexican production of exportable products generally. Other factors include Mexico’s 1986 accession to General Agreements Tariff and Trade (GATT), the resultant lowering of Mexican customs duties, and a good long-term working relationship between the two countries. If ongoing negotiations culminate in a North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) the trend will accelerate.

Laws regulating the importation of merchandise into the United States …

The Case For A Texas Compulsory Unitization Statute., Paula C. Murray, Frank B. Cross

St. Mary's Law Journal

Compulsory unitization of oil and natural gas reservoirs would substantially enhance the welfare of the United States and of Texas in particular. The present regulated free market for oil production produces both inefficiencies and inequities. Consequentially, oil exploration is discouraged, oil production is unnecessarily costly and wasteful, and the private distribution of oil revenues can be arbitrarily unfair. Compulsory unitization would remedy many of these shortcomings which result from extant structures. Unitization means the cooperative development of an entire reservoir of oil or gas. Compulsory unitization in most states also contains a variety of substantive and procedural prerequisites to unitization …

Unpublished Opinions Shall Not Be Cited As Authority: The Emerging Contours Of Texas Rule Of Appellate Procedure 90(I)., David M. Gunn

St. Mary's Law Journal

In Texas, worries of judicial overproduction have persisted throughout the twentieth century. Although the Texas Supreme Court began to use per curiam opinions more frequently around 1925, the flood continues. Texas now has more courts and judges than ever before, and history offers no reason to expect retrenchment. The present scheme in Texas creates two classes of judicial opinions, published and unpublished. Unpublished opinions are not supposed to count for purposes of stare decisis, while published opinions do. Texas Appellate Rule 90 regulates the issuance of opinions from the courts of appeals. Part (a) requires intermediate courts to issue written …

Analyzing Scientific Evidence: From Validity To Reliability With A Two-Step Approach., Renee A. Forinash

St. Mary's Law Journal

Throughout legal history, courts have wrestled with scientific evidence. Sometimes the courts admitted invalid evidence disguised as science. In the 1920’s, courts developed a very limited standard of admissibility for scientific evidence. Under the Frye test, a scientific expert’s conclusion was inadmissible unless the conclusion was generally accepted by the scientific community. Although this prevented “junk science” from invading courtrooms, it also protected invalid scientific evidence already present in the system and restricted using new, but valid, scientific techniques. In response, many jurisdictions developed more liberal evidentiary standards. The liberal standards averted the “cultural lag” for which Frye was criticized …

Heitman V. State: The Question Left Unanswered., Matthew W. Paul, Jeffrey L. Van Horn

St. Mary's Law Journal

In Heitman v. State, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals appeared to break with the court’s prior holdings to announce it would no longer “automatically adopt and apply” to the search and seizure provisions of the Texas Constitution “the Supreme Court’s interpretations of the Fourth Amendment.” The reaction to Heitman was immediate and striking. Heitman is obviously a significant decision that could impact Texas criminal jurisprudence for decades. Yet, the decision left many questions unanswered, including whether the search and seizure provision should be construed as placing greater restrictions on law enforcement than the Fourth Amendment of the United States …

The Political Philosophy Of Campaign Finance Reform As Articulated In The Dissents In Austin V. Michigan Chamber Of Commerce., John S. Shockley, David A. Schultz

St. Mary's Law Journal

The 1992 presidential candidacy of Jerry Brown, who called for campaign contribution limits, has reignited the issue of campaign finance reform. Indeed, the United States Supreme Court has recognized the importance of campaign finance reform as a judicial issue. The importance of this issue is marked by the Court’s continued willingness to address the regulation of campaign finance since the 1976 landmark case of Buckley v. Valeo. The case of Austin v. Michigan Chamber of Commerce emphasized the somewhat confused nature of the Supreme Court’s campaign finance reform decisions. The Supreme Court and state legislatures will likely continue to address …

Wrongful Adoption: A Guide To Impending Tort Litigation In Texas., Fred S. Wilson

St. Mary's Law Journal

Texas has an opportunity to improve a necessary tool of family law by recognizing and advancing wrongful adoption. There is an underlying lack of recognition for the interests of adoptive parents in adoption law. Those who choose to adopt necessarily rely on the information provided by an adoption agency in making their decision. As such, adoptive parents are particularly vulnerable to misrepresentation about the pertinent history of the adoptee. Recent cases in other states demonstrate the progression of wrongful adoption as a tort, yet many inadequacies remain. The necessary progression of wrongful adoption calls for the imposition of a duty …

The Scope Of The Eighth Amendment Does Not Include A Per Se Bar To The Use Of Victim Impact Evidence In The Sentencing Phase Of A Capital Trial., Jimmie O. Clements Jr.

St. Mary's Law Journal

In Payne v. Tennessee, the United States Supreme Court held the scope of the Eighth Amendment does not include a per se bar to the use of victim impact evidence in the sentencing phase of a capital trial. As a result of Payne, the realm of information admissible during the sentencing phase of a capital trial now includes victim impact evidence. The use of victim impact evidence improperly diverts the sentencer’s attention away from the defendant’s moral blameworthiness to the victim’s character and reputation. Although advocates of victim’s rights may see this decision as a victory, the reasoning of the …

First-To-Invent: A Superior System For The United States., Ned L. Conley

St. Mary's Law Journal

The United States uses the first-to-invent patent system, which is a time-honored system not worth abandoning in pursuit of harmonization. First-to-invent and first-to-file patent systems incentivize different approaches to obtaining a patent. However, a first-to-invent approach is, in part, what has allowed the United States to lead the world in innovation and it should not abandon this approach. The United States patent system is unique when compared to most other patent systems used by democratic, capitalistic, developed nations. A first-to-invent system provides incentive to invent, particularly to inventors who are less well financed. The incentive to innovate is in the …

Limitations On Medical Malpractice Damages Pursuant To The Medical Liability Act Are Constitutional In Wrongful Death Cases., Lynn B. Layne

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract Forthcoming.

Social Infrastructure Needs Of The Maquiladora Industry: A Proposal For United States Corporate Contributions., Rodolfo Villalobos, Bruce B. Barshop

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract Forthcoming.

Why The United States Should Adopt The First-To-File System For Patents., Bernarr R. Pravel

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract Forthcoming.

Alamo Lumber And Texas Usury Law: Playing With Fire In The Usury Forest., Terry W. Wright, W. Alan Wright, Scott G. Night

St. Mary's Law Journal

The effect of Alamo Lumber Co. v. Gold, and later cases interpreting third party assumption of debt as interest can be perilous to lenders. Lenders are in the business of offering loans to make money. Lenders achieve profit maximization by charging as much interest as possible in the market. Although economic and market factors are always considerations in a lender’s business, in Texas, lenders must also consider harsh usury laws that restrain the maximum amount of chargeable loan interest. Texas defines interest broadly. Statutes define interest as the receipt of compensation for the detention, forbearance or use of money. The …

Review Of Honorable Justice: The Life Of Oliver Wendell Holmes By Sheldon Novick., Michael S. Ariens

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract Forthcoming.

Testimony Of Ambassador Carla A. Hills, United States Trade Representative, Before The Subcommittee On Trade, Committee On Ways And Means, U.S. House Of Representatives, June 14, 1990., Editorial Board St. Mary's School Of Law

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract Forthcoming.

Ethics And Due Diligence: A Lawyer's Perspective On Doing Business With Mexico., Rona R. Mears

St. Mary's Law Journal

The focus of this study is to survey ethical issues faced by legal practitioners in providing legal counsel for international business transactions, with special attention to lawyers counseling clients who are doing business with Mexico. This paper is intended for lawyers who practice in the United States (U.S.), involved in counseling clients outside the U.S. The purpose of this study is to highlight only those issues that raise special difficulties for such a practitioner, and then to provide practical advice on how to avoid ethical problems in U.S.-Mexico transactions. The Model Rules of Professional Conduct (MPRC), the International Code of …

Salinastroika: Recent Developments In Technology Transfer Law In Mexico., Mark O'C. O'Brien, Carlos R.V. Muggenburg

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract Forthcoming.

Binding Arbitration: A Preferred Alternative For Resolving Commercial Disputes Between Mexican And U.S. Businessmen., Hope H. Camp Jr.

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract Forthcoming.

The Empire Strikes Back., E. Joshua Rosenkranz

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract Forthcoming.

Giving The Gift Of Life: A Survey Of Texas Law Facilitating Organ Donation., Eric C. Sutton

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract Forthcoming.

In Sharp Contrast To The Past: The Demise Of The Per Se Rule Against Vertical Price Fixing., Christopher J. Pettit

St. Mary's Law Journal

Actions by the Department of Justice and the Supreme Court lessening vertical pricing protections under the Sherman Antitrust Act require Congressional intervention. By enacting the Sherman Antitrust Act, Congress intended agreements fixing vertical prices or having the ultimate effect of fixing vertical prices at any level be illegal per se. Vertical pricing agreements set, maintain, stabilize, raise, or depress prices of goods or services among the different levels of the product distribution chain. The Department of Justice (DOJ) has taken positive steps in limiting the per se rule of illegality by failing to pursue allegations of vertical price fixing and …

Erisa Preempts All Texas Causes Of Action That Relate To An Employee Benefit Plan Including The Insurance Code, The Deceptive Trade Practices Act And Common Law., Brent Biggs

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract Forthcoming.

Incurable, Reversible Error Occurs Whenever The Jury Feels Animus Toward Or Solidarity With Witnesses Or Litigants Because Of Ethnicity Or Race Due To An Attorney's Suggestions Made During Closing Argument, No Matter How Open Or Subtle And With Finesse Those Suggestions May Be., Glenn D. Levy

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract Forthcoming.

Introduction Of Thomas Buergenthal Address - Introduction., Barbara Bader Aldave

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract Forthcoming.

The Human Rights Revolution Address., Thomas Buergenthal

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract Forthcoming.

Preserving Error On Appeal In Texas Civil Cases: A Practical Guide For Civil Appeals In Texas Article Foreword., John Cornyn Iii

St. Mary's Law Journal

Abstract Forthcoming.

Preserving Error On Appeal In Texas Civil Cases: A Practical Guide For Civil Appeals In Texas., John Hill Cayce Jr.

St. Mary's Law Journal

Fatal procedural errors can prevent appellees from preserving judgements and appellants from seeking review of court decisions on appeal. This article is a practical guide identifying critical concepts necessary to preserve the various rights of appeal. By examining the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, the author identifies procedural pitfalls attorneys may face when attempting to preserve appeals to the Texas Supreme Court or the appellate courts of Texas. Although the Texas Supreme Court has endeavored to eliminate procedural traps from civil appeals, a significant number of requests for appeal fail because lawyers do not follow the requirements necessary to preserve …

Educational Choice Legislation After Edgewood V. Kirby: A Proposal For Clearing The Sectarian Hurdle., C. Lee Cusenbary Jr.

St. Mary's Law Journal

States can reform the ineffective educational system by adopting a free educational choice system. A free educational choice system would reimburse parents of educational expenditures through a voucher or tax deduction and will give parents the freedom to select the school their child attends. While free choice may present a viable solution for educational reform, one major obstacle is the possibility free choice would violate the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment by providing aid to sectarian schools. A free educational choice legislation will be subject to review under the Lemon v. Kurtzman test to determine if the financial aid …

Texas Fetal Rights: Is There A Future For The Rights Of Future Texans., S. Jeffrey Gately

St. Mary's Law Journal

In Texas, contrary interpretations, whether a fetus is a person or non-person, create unpredictable and irreconcilable outcomes. The author contrasts the differences found in Texas law regarding the rights of unborn children in the areas of property, family, criminal, and tort law. At conception, a fetus enjoys property rights. However, under the auspices of family law, a mother may not collect child support until birth but may seek contribution for prenatal care prior to birth. Criminal protection of a fetus is unavailable in Texas unless the fetus is born alive. If criminal activity results in still birth or fetal destruction, …

The Court Of Criminal Appeals Versus The Constitution: The Conclusivity Question., Susan Bleil, Charles Bleil

St. Mary's Law Journal

This Article examines the Texas Constitution’s grant of authority to appellate courts to review questions of fact and the Texas Supreme Court’s treatment of that authority. It then contrasts that treatment with the contrary position taken by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals since 1981. It also examines the sentiments of the courts of appeals themselves. The analysis of the decisions demonstrates the highest courts of Texas do not uniformly view the constitutional provision in question. It also shows resulting confusion and dissatisfaction. The Court of Criminal Appeals needs a better, more logical approach in interpreting the Texas constitution. Also …