Case Studies
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Introduction Often described as a cornerstone of American constitutional law, Gibbons v. Ogden (1824) established the federal government’s broad authority over interstate commerce, shaping the balance of power between state and federal governments. Argued before the U.S. Supreme Court at a time when America was still in its infancy, the case pitted two steamboat operators—and,…
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Case Study: Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) — Expanding the Right to Counsel in State Criminal Trials Introduction In the pantheon of landmark U.S. Supreme Court decisions, Gideon v. Wainwright stands as a powerful affirmation of due process and equal protection under the law. Decided in 1963, the ruling cemented the principle that the Sixth Amendment’s…
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The Boston Strangler case has haunted American criminal justice history for over half a century. Between 1962 and 1964, thirteen women in the Boston area were murdered in chillingly similar circumstances . They were all sexually assaulted, strangled, and often left posed in their homes. The city spiraled into fear. Women double-locked doors and carried…
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By all accounts, Dr. Richard J. Schmidt was a trusted gastroenterologist. Respected. Experienced. But what happened in the sleepy town of Lafayette, Louisiana in the 1990s would turn him into the center of one of the most shocking and innovative criminal trials in American history. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill courtroom drama. No, the tale of…
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In 2007, Joya Williams, a former Coca-Cola executive assistant, was convicted of conspiracy for attempting to sell the company’s trade secrets—specifically, its highly guarded formula—to rival PepsiCo. The case, which involved undercover investigations by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), serves as a textbook example of corporate espionage, legal liability, and ethical business practices. Background…
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A legal battle over parental rights and DNA evidence took an unexpected turn when Lydia Fairchild, a Washington woman, was told she was not the biological mother of her own children—despite having given birth to them. The case, which initially led to suspicions of welfare fraud and illegal surrogacy, ultimately became a landmark example of…
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Introduction Executive orders are directives issued by the President of the United States to manage operations of the federal government. While they are a powerful tool for presidential action, their limits are often tested in the courts, particularly when they conflict with constitutional principles, statutory law, or the separation of powers. During his first week…
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Introduction The office of the U.S. President is one of the most significant and powerful political roles in the world, serving as both the head of state and government. The constitutional framework governing the presidency is outlined in the U.S. Constitution, primarily in Article II, and has evolved over the years through legal precedents, legislative…
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Introduction Brown v. Board of Education (1954) is one of the most significant cases in the history of U.S. constitutional law. This landmark decision by the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the doctrine of “separate but equal” that had been established in Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) and marked a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement.…
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Introduction The recent wildfires in Los Angeles County, described as the most devastating fire seasons in recent history, have brought to light significant issues regarding property insurance coverage and the complexities of filing claims after natural disasters. In a 2023, a similar devastating fire hit L.A. and as the fires wreaked havoc on thousands of…
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