Christian Science healing of minor children: spiritual exemption statutes, First Amendment Rights, and fair notice.
In August 1993, the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts overturned the manslaughter convictions of David and Ginger Twitchell in the death of their two-year-old son, Robyn.(1) This became the latest in a series of prosecutions and appealed verdicts involving Christian Science parents who relied solely on spiritual healing and...

Cameras belong in the courtroom.
ALL THE STUDIES of the last two decades have concluded that camera coverage of the courts provides an important view of how the legal system actually is working, fulfills the essence of journalism's mission in a democracy, and does not impede the process or negatively affect the participants. Thus, despite...

Does preventing "take" constitute an unconstitutional "taking"? An analysis of possible defenses to Fifth Amendment taking claims based on the Endangered Species Act.
INTRODUCTION The conflict over Humboldt County's Headwaters Forest ("Headwaters") represents a classic battle between environmental protection and private property rights. The five hundred to one thousand year-old redwoods of the Headwaters support an. incredibly diverse, delicate, and beautiful ecosystem, and serve as a defining symbol of California.(1)...

Epilogue: is there an issue here?
One striking fact about this fascinating discussion of gun control is the extent to which the various sides of the discussion agree, or at least fail to disagree. Samuel Wheeler and Lance Stell argue against banning guns, while Hugh LaFollette informs us that he is not really advocating a...

Putting the innocent behind bars.
IF YOU DON'T want to spend time in jail, don't commit a crime. This statement sounds simple enough and widely is accepted as the truth, but in reality it is far from accurate; innocence doesn't protect someone automatically from incarceration, or even from execution. That is a lesson Marjorie...

Avoiding Accounting Malpractice.
Accounting firms are not immune. Every member of the firm, from the partner in-charge down to the staff accountant, runs the risk of committing accounting malpractice. However, several steps can be taken to avoid costly mistakes and liabilities. Accounting malpractice can happen in any firm, no matter...

Employer liability for employee online criminal acts.
I. INTRODUCTION Typing away at his computer while at work, Jacob Jacks forged a new and unhealthy relationship with an unassuming woman through an online "sex chat room." A computer technical advisor for Prodigy Services Company, Jacks repeatedly entered the chat room during work time for one...

Texas on trial.
TEXAS ON TRIAL 'In TEXAS, politics is a contact sport," says one Austin politico. The Longhorn State showed th rest of the nation what that means this year, not only in the celebrated gubernatorial contest between Ann Richards and Clayton Williams, but also in the contests for three...

SC issues circular preferring fines in libel cases.
Byline: REY G. PANALIGAN The Supreme Court (SC) issued yesterday the rule of preference for the imposition of fine only rather than imprisonment in libel cases. Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno said the new rule under Administrative Circular No. 08-2008 took effect upon its issuance...

Lacson hits filing of libel case against Archbishop Cruz.
Byline: MARIO B. CASAYURAN Opposition Sen. Panfilo Lacson yesterday called the decision to file libel charges against Pangasinan Archbishop Oscar Cruz a "desperate attempt" by the Arroyo administration to silence its most vocal critic from the ranks of the Catholic Church. "This is but part...