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Articles 151 - 180 of 842
Full-Text Articles in Military, War, and Peace
Should Texas's Former Ban On Obscene-Device Promotion Pass Constitutional Muster Under A Murky Lawrence Comment., Laura M. Clark
Should Texas's Former Ban On Obscene-Device Promotion Pass Constitutional Muster Under A Murky Lawrence Comment., Laura M. Clark
St. Mary's Law Journal
When the Fifth Circuit freed Texans to promote and distribute sexual devices without criminal penalties, it created a split with the Eleventh Circuit’s decision to uphold Alabama’s ban. Both courts based their rulings on the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Lawrence v. Texas, which invalidated Texas’s statute banning homosexual sodomy. In upholding Alabama’s sex-toy statute in 2007, the Eleventh Circuit found no fundamental right to sexual privacy under Lawrence and held public morality was a sufficiently rational basis for the statute. The court distinguished Lawrence, which dealt with prohibition of private conduct, rather than public commercial activity. The Fifth Circuit …
Texas Law's Life Or Death Rule In Capital Sentencing: Scrutinizing Eight Amendment Violations And The Case Of Juan Guerrero, Jr., John Niland, Riddhi Dasgupta
Texas Law's Life Or Death Rule In Capital Sentencing: Scrutinizing Eight Amendment Violations And The Case Of Juan Guerrero, Jr., John Niland, Riddhi Dasgupta
St. Mary's Law Journal
The United States Supreme Court has never explained the Eighth Amendment’s impact in noncapital cases involving a mentally retarded or brain-injured defendant. The Court has not provided guidance to legislatures or lower courts concerning the acceptable balancing of aggravating and mitigating factors and the role that mitigating factors must play in the sentencing decision. A definitive gap exists between the protections afforded to a criminal defendant facing a life sentence as opposed to those confronted with the death penalty. The Court requires sentencing procedures to consider aggravating and mitigating factors, including mental retardation and brain damage, when imposing a death …
The Bapcoa's Restriction On Attorney-Client Speech In The Fifth And Eighth Circuits: Worth Saving Or Destroying Comment., Sara Berkeley
The Bapcoa's Restriction On Attorney-Client Speech In The Fifth And Eighth Circuits: Worth Saving Or Destroying Comment., Sara Berkeley
St. Mary's Law Journal
Abstract Forthcoming.
Practitioners Beware: Under Amended Trap 47, Unpublished Memorandum Opinions In Civil Cases Are Binding And Research On Westlaw And Lexis Is A Necessity., Andrew T. Solomon
Practitioners Beware: Under Amended Trap 47, Unpublished Memorandum Opinions In Civil Cases Are Binding And Research On Westlaw And Lexis Is A Necessity., Andrew T. Solomon
St. Mary's Law Journal
In 2003 and 2008, the Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure (TRAP) 47 was amended. TRAP 47 is the rule which governs the issuance, citation, and precedential value of unpublished and memorandum opinions. The 2003 amendment was designed to make the law more readily available by prohibiting the issuance of unpublished opinions in civil cases and authorizing memorandum opinions in place of unpublished opinions. Despite its intention, the 2003 amendment failed to make civil case law more readily available. This is because such new opinions are only available via electronic repository, such as Westlaw or Lexis. As a result, to completely …
Professional Malpractice In A World Of Amateurs., Thomas D. Morgan
Professional Malpractice In A World Of Amateurs., Thomas D. Morgan
St. Mary's Law Journal
Clients experience the speed at which the world changes, both technologically and socially. They expect lawyers to keep pace. The technology which permits lawyers to deliver legal services faster also chains lawyers to their electronic devices. This technology has also led to a growing market of those who promise to do the same work faster, better, and cheaper. Such developments will ultimately affect how lawyers view professional malpractice or the way the industry understands “competence and diligence normally exercised by lawyers.” The malpractice question becomes: to what standard of care and competence should such “amateur” lawyers be held? The legal …
Could Government Speech Endorsing A Higher Law Resolve The Establishment Clause Crisis., Bruce Ledewitz
Could Government Speech Endorsing A Higher Law Resolve The Establishment Clause Crisis., Bruce Ledewitz
St. Mary's Law Journal
The Establishment Clause crisis exists due to the Supreme Court’s promise that America would have a secular government—meaning one which was neutral between religion and irreligion, as well as being neutral to all religions. This promise evolved pursuant to the Supreme Court’s interpretation of the Establishment Clause. Nevertheless, the commitment to neutrality was never carried to fulfillment by the Court. The crisis may be illustrated by Congress’ addition of the words “under God” to the Pledge of Allegiance in 1954. This addition seemed to violate the promise of neutrality made by the Supreme Court in Everson v. Board of Education …
Of Lies And Disclaimers - Contracting Around Fraud Under Texas Law., Robert K. Wise, Andrew J. Szygenda, Thomas F. Lillard
Of Lies And Disclaimers - Contracting Around Fraud Under Texas Law., Robert K. Wise, Andrew J. Szygenda, Thomas F. Lillard
St. Mary's Law Journal
The Texas Supreme Court has failed to provide a bright-line test in determining whether reliance disclaimers are enforceable. A reliance disclaimer is a provision in a contract that disclaims all extra-contractual representations and provides that the contracting parties are not relying on any such representations. By including a reliance disclaimer, a contracting party may be attempting to immunize itself from liability for false statements made during negotiations. Even if a contracting party’s misrepresentations or non-disclosures were made with fraudulent intent, Texas law gives contracting parties broad freedom to contract around misrepresentation claims. In Forest Oil Corp. v. McAllen, the Texas …
Judge William Wayne Justice: A Life Of Human Dignity And Refractory Mules Tribute., Albert H. Kauffman
Judge William Wayne Justice: A Life Of Human Dignity And Refractory Mules Tribute., Albert H. Kauffman
St. Mary's Law Journal
Judge Wayne Justice had a deep impact on the lives of many people and was an unyielding advocate who protected the rights of all U.S. citizens. Many of the Judge’s orders and consent decrees forced Texas to comply with more stringent federal requirements in education and health care and had a far reaching effect across the nation. Judge Justice presided over Doe v. Plyler that ensured the benefit of public education for the children of undocumented immigrants. In United States v. Texas, Judge Justice required that the Texas Education Agency monitor school district actions and policies to assure that they …
Prescribing A Balance: The Texas Legislative Responses To Sell V. United States., Brian D. Shannon
Prescribing A Balance: The Texas Legislative Responses To Sell V. United States., Brian D. Shannon
St. Mary's Law Journal
In Sell v. United States, decided in 2003, the United States Supreme Court addressed the question of “whether the Constitution permits the Government to administer antipsychotic drugs involuntarily to a mentally ill criminal defendant – in order to render that defendant competent to stand trial for serious, but nonviolent crimes.” The Court concluded that the Constitution does permit doing so “in limited circumstances…upon satisfaction of conditions” that the Court delineated. This Article will first address the Court’s parameters for determining when the administration of antipsychotic medications on an involuntary basis is permissible. The remainder of the Article, however, will discuss …
The Yearning For Zion Raid And Its Impact On Texas Child Welfare Cases: How A Botched Rescue Effort Exposed A Need To Refocus Efforts On Effective Service Plans Comment., Shannon K. Dunn
St. Mary's Law Journal
The raid of the Yearning for Zion ranch exposed fundamental flaws in the operation of the Texas Department of Children and Family Services (the Department). In the raid, the Department took custody of 468 children without a court order and removed them from their homes. This is one of the most glaring examples of the Department’s disregard for the Texas Family Code. Subchapter B of section 263 of the Texas Family Code mandates for the creation and implementation of a comprehensive service plan whenever the Department removes a child from his home. The Department, however, failed to create service plans …
Plea To The Jurisdiction: Defining The Undefined., Rebecca Simmons, Suzette Kinder Patton
Plea To The Jurisdiction: Defining The Undefined., Rebecca Simmons, Suzette Kinder Patton
St. Mary's Law Journal
Pleas to the jurisdiction have been part of Texas jurisprudence since shortly after Texas became a state. The resulting confusion over the procedure and standards to be employed in resolving a plea was partially alleviated by the Texas Supreme Court’s decision in Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife v. Miranda. From a number of reports from Texas’s reviewing courts, however, it is evident the courts continue to struggle with the plea. Currently there are no established procedural rules to assist with the resolution of a plea to the jurisdiction. Thus, procedures vary from court to court and case to case. …
Loyalty In Limbo: The Peculiar Case Of Attorneys' Loyalty To Clients., Eli Wald
Loyalty In Limbo: The Peculiar Case Of Attorneys' Loyalty To Clients., Eli Wald
St. Mary's Law Journal
Attorney loyalty to clients is considered a cornerstone of the attorney-client relationship. Yet, loyalty is underexplored, misunderstood, and the subject of heated discord. Advocates of client-centered loyalty and their opponents both fail to provide a compelling accounting of loyalty to clients and its consequences. Leaving loyalty in limbo is an unacceptable state of affairs. The legal profession bears the continuous burden of accounting for its own practices. Because the Bar cannot assert broad client-centered loyalty as self-explanatory, the burden of disproving loyalty shifts to the critics. Critics of broad loyalty to clients are not helping advance the discourse by advocating …
Ethical Plea Bargaining Under The Texas Disciplinary Rules Of Professional Conduct., Edward L. Wilkinson
Ethical Plea Bargaining Under The Texas Disciplinary Rules Of Professional Conduct., Edward L. Wilkinson
St. Mary's Law Journal
Plea bargaining is such an essential component of the administration of justice that disposition of charges after plea discussions is not only an essential part of the process but a highly desirable part for many reasons. Even though 95% of felony criminal cases nationwide are resolved through plea bargaining, there are no specific ethical rules governing the practice. The exhortation in article 2.01 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure states it is the primary duty of all prosecuting attorneys to see that justice is done, rather than merely convicting. In order to determine the ethical boundaries of plea bargaining, …
A Pragmatic Look At Mediation And Collaborative Law As Alternatives To Family Law Litigation Comment., Elizabeth F. Beyer
A Pragmatic Look At Mediation And Collaborative Law As Alternatives To Family Law Litigation Comment., Elizabeth F. Beyer
St. Mary's Law Journal
Since close to half the country’s marriages end in divorce, marriage dissolution is quite a lucrative business for attorneys. Also, fewer people are entering marriage in the first place. Fewer marriages combined with more children born out of wedlock create multitudinous legal problems and family disputes centering around those children. In addition to initial divorce filings and suits affecting the parent-child relationship, dissolution of marriage cases often creates additional litigation down the road. As a solution to the problems caused by the expense and toil of this litigation, alternative dispute resolution (ADR) offers several options for family disputants. Two popular …
The Castle Doctrine: An Expanding Right To Stand Your Ground Comment., Denise M. Drake
The Castle Doctrine: An Expanding Right To Stand Your Ground Comment., Denise M. Drake
St. Mary's Law Journal
Recently, the Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 378 effectively terminating a person’s “duty to retreat” when confronted with a criminal attack of either great bodily injury or death. Complicated issues of innocence and guilt arise when one employs deadly force as a means of self-defense. Furthermore, tragic mistakes occur when people preemptively resort to deadly force before the realization of such a threat. Societal questions still exist concerning the possibility that self-defense will turn into self-justice. Critics argue the law encourages a vigilante society, substituting law enforcement help with self-justice. Conversely, supporters believe the bill serves as a deterrent from …
Loose Lips Sink Attorney-Client Ships: Unintended Technological Disclosure Of Confidential Communications Essay., Bill Piatt, Paula Dewitte
Loose Lips Sink Attorney-Client Ships: Unintended Technological Disclosure Of Confidential Communications Essay., Bill Piatt, Paula Dewitte
St. Mary's Law Journal
In general, attorneys must not reveal confidential information relating to the representation of their clients. Attorneys must make reasonable efforts to ensure the attorneys they supervise, as well as their nonlawyer employees, maintain client confidences. In modern days, technology virtually guarantees attorneys and clients will communicate electronically. While most attorneys would not knowingly disclose client confidences, there is a growing problem of unintended disclosure through electronic means. On a practical level, maintaining confidence is of utmost importance to both attorneys and clients. Attorneys may believe they are using good faith and competent, reasonable actions to protect their clients’ information from …
A Meaningless Relationship: The Fifth Circuit's Use Of Dismissed And Uncharged Conduct Under The Federal Sentencing Guidelines Recent Development., Erin A. Higginbotham
A Meaningless Relationship: The Fifth Circuit's Use Of Dismissed And Uncharged Conduct Under The Federal Sentencing Guidelines Recent Development., Erin A. Higginbotham
St. Mary's Law Journal
The Fifth Circuit’s failure to require the uncharged conduct to have a meaningful relationship with the conduct of conviction is flawed. An amendment of section 5K2.21 specifically approved the consideration of uncharged or dismissed offenses to serve as a basis for an upward departure to reflect the actual seriousness of the offense. Confusion amongst federal circuit courts of appeal arose as to whether such conduct included uncharged or dismissed criminal offenses. Interpreting the amendment’s language has caused a circuit split. The Fifth Circuit erroneously interpreted section 5K2.21 as to require nothing more than a “remote connection” between the uncharged crime …
The Metes And Bounds Of Governmental Immunity And Political Subdivisions: Limiting Tort Liability For Municipal Utility Districts In Texas Recent Development., Dawn E. Norman
St. Mary's Law Journal
Abstract Forthcoming.
In The Wake Of Low V. Henry: Is Pre-Suit Discovery Now A Reality In Texas., John G. Lione Jr., Ryan W. Lione
In The Wake Of Low V. Henry: Is Pre-Suit Discovery Now A Reality In Texas., John G. Lione Jr., Ryan W. Lione
St. Mary's Law Journal
Following the Texas Supreme Court decision in Low v. Henry, the issue of whether an attorney may be liable for filing a “groundless pleading” has come to the forefront of Texas jurisprudence. This recent decision ought to pique Texas attorneys’ attention. In reprimanding egregious attorney conduct, did the Texas Supreme Court’s tightening of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure increase the duties and responsibilities of all Texas attorneys by establishing what may amount to pre-suit discovery? Yet, courts presume pleadings and motions are filed in good faith, and the party seeking sanctions bears the burden of rebutting this presumption. The …
Assault Upon The Citadel Of Privity: The Coexistence Of Strict, Privity And Belt V. Oppenheimer, Blend, Harrison & (And) Tate, Inc. Comment., C. John Muller Iv
Assault Upon The Citadel Of Privity: The Coexistence Of Strict, Privity And Belt V. Oppenheimer, Blend, Harrison & (And) Tate, Inc. Comment., C. John Muller Iv
St. Mary's Law Journal
The practicing attorney must have a complete understanding of legal malpractice liability. Managing this risk can be a precarious responsibility when the law is not clearly defined. This is compounded by the steady erosion of attorney-client privity barriers making it easier for third party non-clients to sue lawyers for legal malpractice. This is the current state of matters in Texas since the Texas Supreme Court decided Belt v. Oppenheimer, Blend, Harrison & Tate, Inc. on May 5, 2006. The Belt court determined personal representatives of an estate may bring a malpractice claim against the decedent’s attorneys. The Belt court was …
Fulfilling Your Professional Responsibilities: Representing A Deaf Client In Texas Recent Development., Matthew S. Compton
Fulfilling Your Professional Responsibilities: Representing A Deaf Client In Texas Recent Development., Matthew S. Compton
St. Mary's Law Journal
Abstract Forthcoming.
A Tribute To Ernest A. Raba, Dean (1946-1978), St. Mary's University School Of Law Tribute., Aloysius A. Leopold
A Tribute To Ernest A. Raba, Dean (1946-1978), St. Mary's University School Of Law Tribute., Aloysius A. Leopold
St. Mary's Law Journal
Abstract Forthcoming.
Henry F. Johnson Professor Of Law (1981-2008), St. Mary's University School Of Law Tribute., Bonita K. Roberts
Henry F. Johnson Professor Of Law (1981-2008), St. Mary's University School Of Law Tribute., Bonita K. Roberts
St. Mary's Law Journal
As a way to deal with his loss, this eulogy honors Henry Johnson (1942-2008) by focusing on ten good things about him. As a former English teacher, he valued clarity and precision, which reflects another good thing about Henry: the importance of strong organization. His zest for travel enabled him to share voluminous details about countless countries around the world, including where the best restaurants and wineries were. No description would be complete without emphasizing his love for golf, but the most important thing about Henry was the way he cared for his family, friends, and animals.
The Competency Of The Sham Affidavit As Summary Judgment Proof In Texas., David F. Johnson, Joseph P. Regan
The Competency Of The Sham Affidavit As Summary Judgment Proof In Texas., David F. Johnson, Joseph P. Regan
St. Mary's Law Journal
The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit first addressed the sham affidavit theory in Kennett-Murray Corp. v. Bone. This is the doctrine regarding assertions made by affidavit in order to prove summary judgment which are contrary to prior statements given, usually during a deposition. More recently, the Fifth Circuit has used the theory to strike affidavits where it found a sufficient inconsistency existed. This Court has also applied the sham affidavit theory to any prior sworn testimony, not just deposition testimony. The adoption of this theory overturned the precedent which stated a factual issue existed where a …
American Legal Ethics In An Age Of Anxiety., Michael Ariens
American Legal Ethics In An Age Of Anxiety., Michael Ariens
St. Mary's Law Journal
The thesis of my article, “American Legal Ethics in an Age of Anxiety,” is that the historical development of American legal ethics was regularly accompanied by an anxiety within the profession. In general, I suggest the legal profession’s understanding of its ethical precepts has been molded and reshaped during periods of professional anxiety. The profession’s understanding of legal ethics changed dramatically during various crises in the 19th century, exemplified by the different approaches taken by David Hoffman in the mid-1830s, George Sharswood in the mid-1850s, and David Dudley Field in the early 1870s. In each case, however, the triggering event …
The Texas School Finance Litigation Saga: Great Progress, Then Near Death By A Thousand Cuts., Albert H. Kauffman
The Texas School Finance Litigation Saga: Great Progress, Then Near Death By A Thousand Cuts., Albert H. Kauffman
St. Mary's Law Journal
The Texas Legislature’s system for financing Texas schools is significantly more equitable after Edgewood v. Kirby. Edgewood I and Edgewood II effectively forced the legislature to improve the finance system. However, the rulings in the first two Edgewood cases have been whittled away by the last four Edgewood decisions.. As a result, courts now approach fundamental issues, legislative power, and the relationship between them differently. The Edgewood v. Kirby legacy still improves the equity and adequacy of Texas’s public education finance system. This legacy is expanded upon with observations regarding long term impacts of the Texas school finance litigation saga.
The All-Woman Texas Supreme Court: The History Behind A Brief Moment On The Bench., Alice G. Mcafee
The All-Woman Texas Supreme Court: The History Behind A Brief Moment On The Bench., Alice G. Mcafee
St. Mary's Law Journal
On the surface, there is nothing particularly noteworthy about the case of Johnson v. Darr, and, in fact it was not the merits of the case that made the headlines. It was the makeup of the tribunal. Long before women in Texas were even granted the right to serve on juries and before any woman ever served as a judge on any of the lower Texas courts, the judges appointed to hear the case of Johnson v. Darr were all women. This was the first time a woman was appointed in any capacity to serve on the Texas judiciary and …
On The Trail To Increased Client Protection: Attorney Contingent Fee Contract Termination In Light Of Hoover V. Walton Recent Development., Tiffanie S. Clausewitz
On The Trail To Increased Client Protection: Attorney Contingent Fee Contract Termination In Light Of Hoover V. Walton Recent Development., Tiffanie S. Clausewitz
St. Mary's Law Journal
Abstract Forthcoming.
A Marginal Tax: The New Franchise Tax In Texas Comment., David A. Vanderhider
A Marginal Tax: The New Franchise Tax In Texas Comment., David A. Vanderhider
St. Mary's Law Journal
Taxation has long been a point of contention for both individuals and businesses. Primarily, taxation serves as a convenient and calculated method of allocating precious resources to areas in need. Although many states use property and income taxes as the preferred methods for funding these programs, Texas has a constitutional restriction on state taxation of individuals’ incomes. This means Texas has largely relied on property and business taxes to fund these programs. In 1991, while trying to avoid unconstitutional taxes on individuals’ incomes, the Texas Legislature adopted a franchise tax which taxed Texas businesses according to their capital. In 2006, …
Surreptitious Recording By Attorneys: Is It Ethical., Carol M. Bast
Surreptitious Recording By Attorneys: Is It Ethical., Carol M. Bast
St. Mary's Law Journal
Ethical rules generally set forth commonly held ethics principles in broad terms which usually generate little debate. What has generated a great deal of debate is whether it is ethical for an attorney to record a conversation. The American Bar Association’s (ABA) view of the issue has shifted over the years. Originally, the practice was held to be unethical except for certain well-defined exceptions involving government attorneys. The 2001 ABA opinion officially withdrew the original opinion allowing attorneys to secretly record a conversation with a non-client where it is not illegal. States’ opinions as to whether conversation recording is ethical …