Should U.S. Supreme Court Litigants Decline Consent for Filing of Amicus Briefs?
TL;DR summary: No, it's pointless -- as the data shows -- and it can make you look bad.
Crime
Why Can Felons Be Denied the Right to Vote?
Felons retain their free speech rights. Some recent court decisions conclude that some felons regain their Second Amendment rights. But the right to vote is different, according to the constitutional text.
Short Circuit: A roundup of recent federal court decisions
Grilling in the yard, radioactive waste in the yard, and police drive onto the wrong yard.
U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Declares that "Goals" Really Are Quotas--But Only When They Apply to Goals the Commissioners Don't Like.
It's never a dull moment at the Commission on Civil Rights.
What's a 'Website,' Anyway?
As a recent Indiana Supreme Court case amply demonstrates, the term "website" is not nearly precise enough for use in our criminal law, and judges and legislators need to stop pretending that it is.
SCOTUS Released Same-Day Oral Argument Audio. Guess What Happened Next?
There is no reason not to release same-day audio for all oral arguments at the Supreme Court.
Defamation by the Anti-Defamation League (UPDATED: ADL Apologizes)
The ADL defames Canary Mission.
"Drew Cloud Is a Well-Known Expert on Student Loans. One Problem: He's Not Real."
A remarkable story from The Chronicle of Higher Education (Dan Bauman & Chris Quintana)
Weapons Are Just Tools. It's People Who Are Dangerous.
Restricting guns-or vans, knives, or planes-won't make the world safer. The Toronto van attack reminds us peril lies in people with bad intent, not with how they get it done.
Supreme Court Nixes Suits Against Foreign Corporations in U.S. Courts Alleging Violations of International Law
If domestic courts are to be a forum for these sorts of suits, five justices conclude, Congress must first say so.
British Politicians Declare War on Knives
Having failed to thwart crime with gun bans, British officials now want to restrict what may be the most useful tool ever invented.
Why German-Style Apprenticeships Are Not an Easy Fit in the United States
The German economy depends on strong national unions and complex licensing and certifications to discourage apprentices from leaving their apprenticeships prematurely. Americans may not be so keen on that.
Flashback: The Supreme Court Turns Back the Parade of Horribles
Cases like Schuette v. Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action, Integration and Immigrant Rights and Fight for Equality By Any Means Necessary (2014) show how important it is appoint good judges to the federal courts.
In Defense of Cash
Around the world, governments are trying to kill paper money. It's a terrible idea.
#IlyaConfusion - A Guide for the Perplexed [Updated]
For partly understandable reasons, I often get confused with Ilya Shapiro of the Cato Institute. Here is the definitive guide to how to tell the two libertarian Ilyas apart.
Pure Foolishness
Eight years ago, the Volokh Conspiracy pointed out that the Chair of the Vermont State Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights had made ridiculous, racially inflammatory statements. Today the Commission evidently decided that's just what Vermont needs and brought him back for a second stint as Chair.
Short Circuit: A roundup of recent federal court decisions
Loafing about, fishing for a lighter, and standing on the porch.
The Seventh Circuit splits on the national injunction
National injunction upheld 2-1 in Chicago sanctuary city case
Caniformia
Apparently all carnivorans (not quite the same as carnivores) are either doggy or catty.
Seventh Circuit Upholds Injunction in Sanctuary City Case
The Trump Administration loses its appeal in Chicago v. Sessions, but one judge dissents on the appropriateness of a nationwide injunction
"D.C. lawmaker who said Jews control the weather visits Holocaust Museum but leaves early"
Not an Onion headline (but maybe subconsciously influenced by one).
I Doubt This Is the Right Way to Manipulate Justice Gorsuch
Capsule summary: "Vote the way we want you to, and maybe we'll have just a bit less contempt for you than we now do."
Why Aren't Feminist Groups More Concerned that So Many Colleges and Universities Discriminate Against Women in Admissions?
Is it they don't want to admit that females do so well relative to males in high school? They don't want appear to be defecting from the left-of-center coalition that supports race-preferential admissions policies? Or is something else driving this?
Relax—You'll Probably Survive Until Tomorrow
Americans have a poor sense of risk, and media panics don't help.
School Discipline: Don't Make a Federal Case Out of It
The Obama Administration's effort to federalize school discipline policy was not just wrongheaded, it was likely beyond the scope of its authority; Secretary DeVos should withdraw it.
Judge Thapar Reviews Judge Posner
One of several worthwhile reads in this year's Michigan Law Review book review issue.
More on Sessions v. Dimaya and Crossover Sensation Neil Gorsuch
This may be the first time Justice Gorsuch joined the Court's more liberal judges in a 5-4 decision, but it's unlikely to be the last.
Crossover Sensation Neil Gorsuch
Justice Gorsuch joins the four liberals in Sessions v. Dimaya, applying the void-for-vagueness doctrine to a particular deportation law.
Backpage Plea to Texas Sex Trafficking Charge Turns On CEO's Admission to Brokering Adult Prostitution
Backpage CEO Carl Ferrer turned over the company and seven other executives in exchange for leniency.
One More Word About The Stormy Daniels Affair
Trump's denials of involvement in the Stormy Daniels arrangements may turn out badly for him
Short Circuit: A roundup of recent federal court decisions
Lemurs, scoundrels, and a petulant pedestrian.
Now They're Coming for People's Knives. No, Really.
London's got a homicide problem, but leaders insist it's being caused by the tools.
London Mayor Launches Knife Control Campaign
London's murder numbers now exceed New York's. But the new murders teach old lessons: Drug wars are bad and weapon laws don't stop crime.
March for Our Lives Kids Don't Know Just How Safe Schools Are
Students say your right to own a gun conflicts with their right to feel secure.
Steven Pinker Wants Enlightenment Now!
Pope Francis is part of the problem, nuclear energy is part of the solution, and libertarians need to admit that not every regulation will turn us into Venezuela.
In Oklahoma, Inmates Could Be Gassed to Death by a Substance Unfit to Kill Pets
The American Veterinary Medical Association states that nitrogen may be "distressing" for any animal other than birds.
