Constitutional Law Commons^™

The Position And Authority Of The Aceh Shari'a Court On The Indonesian Justice System, Sufiarina Sufiarina

Indonesia Law Review

Article 27 paragraph (1) of Law No. 48 Year 2009 regarding Judicial Power states that special courts can only be formed in one of the court systems under the Supreme Court, which include general courts, religious courts, military courts and state administration courts. However, article 3A paragraph (2) of Law No. 50 Year 2009 concerning the Second Amendment to the Law on Religious Court places Shariah Court as a special court within the system of religious courts and as a special court within the system of general courts. Such positioning is inconsistent with Article 27 paragraph (1) of the Law …

The Political Context Of Judicial Review In Indonesia, Fritz Edward Siregar

Indonesia Law Review

The Constitutional Court of Indonesia plays significant role in securing democracy in Indonesia. In exercising their authorities, including the election result dispute and judicial review, the Court continues to affirm institutional judicial legitimacy and pursue their role to guard 1945 Constitution. The first Chief Justice Jimly Asshiddiqie showed how within five years of the Court’s establishment, he could strategically maximize its momentum and build the Court as a respectful institution. The Chief Justice Mahfud M D was then elected to reduce the judicial activism started by Jimly’s bench. However, against promises and expectations, Mahfud M D brought the Court to …

The Purpose Of Law, Pancasila And Legality According To Ernst Utrecht: A Critical Reflection, Fernando Morganda Manullang

Indonesia Law Review

Ernst Utrecht is one of the best legal scholars Indonesia has ever had. His political views position him as an organic intellectual; a legal scholar involved in and expressing the social consciousness, both in the academic as well as in the political arena. His controversial involvement came to a tragic end, causing him to leave Indonesia for good. This article describes and reflects on some of Utrecht’s rather controversial ideas about law and politics; namely, first, “pengayoman” (guardianship) the purpose of law in Indonesia, a purpose of law which is almost completely absent from the mainstream conception of the purpose …

August 30, 2015: Is There A World Beyond Capitalism?, Bruce Ledewitz

Hallowed Secularism

Blog post, “Is There a World Beyond Capitalism?“ discusses politics, theology and the law in relation to religion and public life in the democratic United States of America.

Arguments In Support Of A Constitutional Right To Atmospheric Integrity, Elizabeth Fuller Valentine

Pace Environmental Law Review

As used in this paper, “atmospheric integrity” refers to the interrelated physical, chemical, and biological processes on planet Earth that enable human and non-human life now and in the future and recognizes that modern civilization has developed within the relatively stable, current geologic period known as the Holocene. I chose to focus on atmospheric integrity, rather than more broadly on environmental integrity, because the health of terrestrial and aquatic habitats is inextricably tied to atmospheric stability. This assertion is not meant to minimize the multitude of harms impacting land and water. It is just that the magnitude of the climate …

August 26, 2015: Introducing Constitutional Law In The Midst Of The Plight, Bruce Ledewitz

Hallowed Secularism

Blog post, “Introducing Constitutional Law in the Midst of the Plight“ discusses politics, theology and the law in relation to religion and public life in the democratic United States of America.

Suspicious Person Ordinances - Due Process Standards; Columbus V. Thompson, Joel R. Campbell

Akron Law Review

In the absence of circumstances involving First Amendment rights, we are left without guidelines as to the conduct which may be made criminal by local suspicious person ordinances. Because of this lack of adequate standards, a case by case determination of criminal conduct under the various ordinances is necessary. In Thompson the defendant's conduct was questionable and the court found the ordinance unconstitutionally vague. We can only hope that this decision has a sufficient impact upon law enforcement officials and local courts to minimize the injury resulting from vagueness.

Suspicious Person Ordinances - Due Process Standards; Columbus V. Thompson, Joel R. Campbell

Akron Law Review

In the absence of circumstances involving First Amendment rights, we are left without guidelines as to the conduct which may be made criminal by local suspicious person ordinances. Because of this lack of adequate standards, a case by case determination of criminal conduct under the various ordinances is necessary. In Thompson the defendant's conduct was questionable and the court found the ordinance unconstitutionally vague. We can only hope that this decision has a sufficient impact upon law enforcement officials and local courts to minimize the injury resulting from vagueness.

Rescue Units Operated By Municipal Fire Departments: Their Status Under The Doctrine Of Municipal Immunity, John D. Shuff

Akron Law Review

At the outset it should be indicated that the view taken by this writer does not purport to be unbiased. Rather, it is his intent to place a few more munitions in the arsenal of those who propose that the doctrine of municipal sovereign immunity be abrogated in its entirety.

The first part of the discussion (Section II) will focus upon the background and current status of the municipal immunity doctrine, with special emphasis upon the governmental-proprietary distinction. Section III will discuss the effects and interpretations of the Uniform Traffic Act and how they relate to municipal immunity. In addition, …

Book Review: Psychiatric Justice, Alice M. Batchelder

Akron Law Review

In an era in which extensive judicial emphasis has been placed on "due process of law" in criminal proceedings, both in the federal courts and in the state courts, Dr. Szasz's book serves as a jarring reminder that in at least one vital area of the concept of due process, much remains to be done. The emerging definition of due process has enunciated the rights guaranteed the individual by the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Fourteenth Amendments; and viewed within that framework, this book, although published in 1965, remains particularly timely, for Szasz, speaking as a psychiatrist, endeavors to demonstrate how …

Denial Of Speedy Trial - Mandamus For Dismissal: Smith V. Hooey, Charles F. Brumbach

Akron Law Review

The Court reasoned that the timely assertion by defendant-petitioner of his constitutional right to a speedy trial gave rise to a corresponding duty on the part of the state to bring him to trial without undue delay.The Court rejected the state's argument that Texas was, in this instance, free from Sixth Amendment constraints, observing that this argument was based on an erroneous conception of the nature of comity.

Given the recognized right to a speedy trial, and given the corresponding duty on the part of the state to affirmatively secure that constitutional right, the breach of such a duty will …

The Protection Accorded Picketing By The First Amendment, Joseph J. Corso

Akron Law Review

In the context of labor law, the origin of the relationship between free speech and peaceful picketing is the case of Thornhill v. Alabama. The speech aspects of picketing and the necessarily accompanying First Amendment protections were stressed by the Supreme Court in holding unconstitutional a state statute which constituted a broad ban on all picketing. The Court expressly limited the holding by recognizing that a narrowly worded statute, such as one merely interdicting picketing en masse or picketing portending imminent danger may be valid. An additional limitation of the decision is the fact that it was reached under a …

Constitutional Rights Of Youthful Offenders; In The Matter Of Gault, Robert M. Kunczt

Akron Law Review

After the decisions in Gideon v. Wainwright, 372 U. S. 335 (1963), Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U. S. 436 (1966), and Escobedo v. Illinois, 378 U. S. 478 (1964), which revealed the Supreme Court's solicitude of the constitutional rights of adults, it seemed improbable that the lower courts would long be permitted to continue ignoring the constitutional rights of juveniles. Thus the decision in the principal case, which represents a breakthrough in the assurance of a fair hearing to minors, comes as no surprise. The case holds that under the Fourteenth Amendment a juvenile has a right to notice of …

August 19, 2015: “The Money Seems To Have Lost Its Knack For Hoodwinking The Voters.”, Bruce Ledewitz

Hallowed Secularism

Blog post, ““The money seems to have lost its knack for hoodwinking the voters.”“ discusses politics, theology and the law in relation to religion and public life in the democratic United States of America.

Rights Of State Prisoners - Federal Court Intervention In State Prison Administration; Jones V. Wittenberg, Ronald L. Collins

Akron Law Review

The path to federal court intervention into state prison administration has been a tortuous and rocky one.... Jones v. Wittenberg carries federal court intervention into state prison administration to new lengths. Until more basic and lasting changes are made on the part of society and the states, such intervention seems to be the best chance for ameliorating conditions in our state penal systems.

The Reed Case: The Seed For Equal Protection From Sex-Based Discrimination, Or Polite Judicial Hedging?, John P. Murphy Jr.

Akron Law Review

Reed is yet another example of how the Equal Protection Clause may be used to strike down state statutes which embody arbitrary classifications that are neither fairly nor substantially related to the object of the statute, and which bring about the invidious discrimination that is repugnant to the Fourteenth Amendment. It must stressed that the outcome of Reed is clearly commendable in terms of justice. What is troublesome is the fact that one may contend that the Supreme Court hedged, perhaps avoided, an excellent opportunity in which to expand the constitutional scope of the Equal Protection Clause. Reed afforded the …

Constitutional Law - Flag Desecration Statutes - Freedom Of Expression; Parker V. Morgan, Bruce C. Heslop

Akron Law Review

Viewed in its broad perspective, Parker v. Morgan has further clarified and circumscribed the constitutional limits of the state's power to protect the American flag from public acts of desecration. In this respect it may be considered to provide further insight into the constitutional questions involved in this relatively untouched area of the law. However, until authoritative consideration has been given to the nature and source of those protective powers which are reserved to a state, Parker v. Morgan cannot be regarded to have drawn the ultimate lines of demarcation for the constitutional validity of flag desecration statutes. A meaningful …

House Bill 1219: A Study, Paul M. Scott

Akron Law Review

Because H.B. 1219 does raise certain constitutional questions which will soon come before the courts, and because of its potential impact on higher education in Ohio, a complete study of it is in order. This Comment seeks to do that by analysis of the background events leading up to the bill's introduction, its legislative history, a summary and explanation of the act's important provisions, an analysis of potential constitutional infirmities in view of current court decisions, and a discussion of relevant policy considerations. The purpose of this Comment is not to assess the wisdom or desirability of the statute, but …

Constitutional Law And Secured Transactions: State Action V. Private Action - Uniform Commercial Code Self-Help; Repossession Provisions - Do Not Violate Due Process Requirements; Adams V. Southern California First National Bank, David M. Hunter

Akron Law Review

Several years ago, the United States Supreme Court, in Sniadach v. Family Finance Corp.,' signaled what has been eventually interpreted in subsequent decisions as the strict measurement of creditors' rights against the requirements of due process set forth in the fourteenth amendment. What has since transpired has been an onslaught of litigation in this area of such magnitude that the due process requirements of prior notice and hearing found in Sniadach have been extended to virtually all forms of prejudgment remedies available to the aggrieved creditor. Despite all of this, the rationale of the Court of Appeals for the Ninth …

Ohio House Bill 869 And Similar Statutes: An Analysis Of Mandatory Deposits On Beverage Containers To Promote Recycling In Relation To Environmental Control, Gary R. Myers

Akron Law Review

Proposed House Bill 8691 requires that all soft drink and beer containers carry a mandatory five-cent deposit in order to promote their recycling. This would necessarily cause a reduction in the litter discarded along Ohio's highways, parks, beaches, etc. To Ohio environmentalists, the Bill represents a major legislative response to the growing litter and solid waste problem. However, to industry it represents a major curtailment of their production growth and profits, specifically those industries whose production is concentrated solely or substantially in the area of non-returnable cans and bottles. If the Bill becomes effective it will be a major victory …