Law


Feature Writer Articles in Law

The US Constitution's Twenty-Fourth Amendment
After the Civil War, the vote was extended to members of all races. Some states placed a tax on voting to hold down the black vote.
Twenty-Third Amendment to the US Constitution
The Constitution provided for a seat of government for the United States. It did not provide voting rights for those living there.
The US Constitution's Twenty-Second Amendment
In 1797 George Washington set a precedent that would be followed for 143 years. He retired from office after two terms. Franklin Roosevelt broke the tradition.
The 21st Amendment Repeals the 18th
The only constitutional amendment ever repealed was the 18th which had ushered in Prohibition. The experiment ended on Dec. 5, 1933, with ratification of the 21st.
The Twentieth Amendment to the US Constitution
In 1787, when the US Constitution was submitted to the States for ratification, the world was a far different place than in 1932. Communication and travel were far slower
The Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution
In 1870, the Fifteenth Amendment assured freed slaves the right to vote. At that time a woman's right to vote was still not universal.
The Eighteenth Amendment to the US Constitution
The Civil War was fought between Slave and Free states. In 1851 Maine started another divide between states known as Wet and Dry, when it banned alcoholic beverages.
The Seventeenth Amendment to the US Constitution
From 1787 to 1913 the power to choose United States Senators was vested by the Constitution in the State legislatures. The Seventeenth Amendment changed this.
The Sixteenth Amendment to the Constitution
When April 15th rolls around, the government's power to impose an income tax is taken for granted. There was a time some forms of income tax were unconstitutional.
The Fifteenth Amendment to the US Constitution
The Civil War had been won by the North, but there was still much to do, as both legal and extra-legal means were used to prevent freed slaves from voting.
The Fourteenth Amendment to the US Constitution
While the 13th Amendment abolished slavery, it did nothing regarding the legal status of the former slaves. The 14th Amendment gave them citizenship and did much more.
The Politics of the Thirteenth Amendment
Abraham Lincoln issued The Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863 freeing many slaves. Its scope was limited and the 13th Amendment was needed to complete the job.
The Twelfth Amendment of the US Constitution
George Washington was elected president unanimously twice. Those were the last two times for such national unity. The elections of 1796 and 1800 were vastly different.
The Eleventh Amendment's Curious History
The Supreme Court interprets the Constitution. If the Court makes an unpopular decision, the recourse is an amendment. This happened with the Eleventh Amendment.
The Tenth Amendment to the US Constitution
Among the difficulties proponents had when seeking constitutional ratification was the lack of an express limit on federal power. The Tenth Amendment was to remedy this.
The US Constitution's Ninth Amendment
The Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution to explicitly limit the federal government, but there was concern that naming specific rights would exclude others.
The Third Amendment to the US Constitution
The Declaration of Independence lists colonists' grievances against England's king. Protection from many of those grievances became part of the Bill of Rights.
Ratification of the US Constitution
From March, 1781 to March, 1789 the United States operated under the Articles of Confederation. Amending the Articles required unanimous consent.
The Supremacy Clause in the US Constitution
The Constitution's Article VI covers three items: outstanding debt, prohibition of religious tests for office, and federal law's power over state law.
Amending the United States Constitution
The US Constitution was designed to serve generations of Americans. An important feature is the built in amendment process. It was made difficult, but not impossible.
Copyright Infringement of Internet Articles
A copyright owner has the exclusive right to reproduce, distribute, perform, display, or license his work. Congress regulates this under authority of US Constitution.
Obligations of US States & Federal Government
The US Constitution, provides for the separation of powers among the three Federal branches, and defines obligations of the State and Federal governments to each other.
The US Supreme Court's Power and Authority
The United States government is built around the concept of separation of powers among three branches of government, the executive, legislative and judicial branches.
An Overview of Article I of the US Constitution
The United States Congress is the branch of government that passes laws. The authority to do this is granted by Article I of the Constitution.
The Election & Powers of the US President
The President of the United States is considered to be the most powerful individual in the world. The principal source of this power is Article II of the US Constitution.


Contributing Articles in Law

Grimes v. Kennedy Krieger Institute, Inc. (2001)
Environmental health ethics is not a new field, but children's rights in nontherapeutic environmental research were not protected until a 2001 court case, Grimes v. KKI.
GINA Limits Inquiry and Use of Genetic Tests
As of fall 2009 the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA), an important privacy law, became effective for U.S. employers and health insurance plans.
Texas Divorce Law
The first step in filing your own divorce in the state of Texas is to familiarize yourself with the law. This article is a brief overview of Texas divorce laws.
Computer Crimes Against Children
In a unanimous judgment, Canada's top court held that a person can be guilty of Internet luring without any intention to actually meet the child victim.
J-51 Stuyvestant Town Ruling
New York State's highest court ruled in October that owners of Stuyvesant Town improperly raised rents, setting the stage for changes in rent laws across New York City.
The New York Court System
Navigating the court system and getting information about what is going on is difficult. This article provides some resources for understanding New York's court system.
Animal Welfare Act, 7 U.S.C. ยง 2131 et seq.
Is the Animal Welfare Act the United States' best option to save animals from cruelty or experimentation? Should Congress do more to help these unwilling subjects?
Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Bill, 2009
Uganda is under fire for new legislation that will impose severe sanctions, including the death penalty, on those who engage in or support homosexual activities.
How to Incorporate Online, DIY or With an Agent
Incorporating a company can be done online in Canada federally. Elsewhere, you may hire a lawyer, paralegal or other agent online to file your documents.
U.S. vs. William Benson
William Benson traveled to each state in the U.S. when the 16th Amendment was ratified, obtained official records, wrote about his findings and was sued by the DOJ.
I Didn't File a Tax Return, Can I File it Late
Not filing an income tax return on time can lead to expensive penalties and interest charges. For large amounts and complex situations, a professional can help.
Franks Hearing
A Franks Hearing is used to confirm or refute the truthfulness of an arrest warrant and the information used to acquire one.
Wright v. Hutchinson (2001)
Medicine is governed by laws designed to prevent research abuses. Nevertheless, unethical experimentation continues on vulnerable populations such as the terminally ill.
Civil Rights Law Prevents Genetic DNA Testing
Learn how a new civil rights law, GINA, protects individuals from discrimination in the workplace, as well as from insurance companies due to genetic testing.
Supreme Court Case Salazar v. Buono
The presence of a Christian symbol on public land has spurred a drawn-out debate on legal standing and the Establishment Clause.
The False Claims Act Protects Whistleblowers
The False Claims Act allows whistleblowers to safely report false claims being made against the Federal Government, such as with Medicare fraud and military billing.
Constitutional Rights
The U.S. Constitution does not give Americans rights. It was created and modified to prevent government from infringing rights.
Schenk vs. United States and Freedom of Speech
Oliver Wendell Homes held that Congress could regulate speech that created a clear and present danger to cause the substantive evils that it has a right to prevent.
Duress of Circumstances in English Law
Duress of circumstances is a recognition in English Law that sometimes it is necessary to commit a crime in order to avoid a greater evil.
Thames Valley Police
Thames Valley Police force covers a vast area in central England. From towns and cities to vast tracks of countryside.
A Brief History of British Policing
Without a professional police force it is difficult to imagine how law and order can be maintained. In various forms policing dates back to pre Christian times
Landmark Supreme Court Cases in the Last Century
There have been a number of landmark Supreme Court cases over the last 100 years. The court's rulings in these cases have helped to shape the nation.
Wisconsin v. Yoder Supreme Court Case 1972
The First Amendment of the United States allows citizens to employ free practice of religion, which is not to be interfered with by government. This case upheld that.
Brief History of Natural Rights
The theory of natural rights states that individuals, because they are part of nature, are born with basic rights that cannot be denied or violated by other people.
History of Natural Law
Natural law has a long history in Western tradition. For most of this time, the concept of natural law was part of philosophy and ethics, not actual legal documents.