Category Archives: Legal Reasoning

Mr. Pavel, a first year professor, former enlisted Marine, Detroit teacher and L2 at University of Virginia Law School, taught this class. The amount of reading required for this class was more than any other class I have taken as an undergraduate student. We read numerous Supreme Court opinions and two books offering different looks at our legal system and giving explanations of how the judiciary works and what, may or may not, effect the judges in their decision making.

United States v. Virginia (1996)

Word Download Link U.S. v. Virginia, 518 U.S. 515 (1996) Is/are the holding(s) broad or narrow? Clear or opaque? I believe that the holding is broad because of the Court’s statement that the words “We the People,” have expanded and therefore influenced the Court’s “comprehension” of VMI’s case.  If this is the case, that the … Continue reading United States v. Virginia (1996)

District of Columbia v. Heller (Final)

DC v. Heller Essay An Overview of the Opposing Arguments After coming to a decision on the case of District of Columbia v. Heller on June 26, 2008 Justice Scalia delivered the opinion of the court with the support of four other justices.  The five of them held “that the District’s ban on handgun possession … Continue reading District of Columbia v. Heller (Final)

District of Columbia v. Heller (Draft 1)

An Overview of the Opposing Arguments Justice Scalia delivered the opinion of the court and, with the support of four other justices, held “that the District’s ban on handgun possession in the home violates the Second Amendment, as does its prohibition against rendering any lawful firearm in the home operable for the purpose of immediate … Continue reading District of Columbia v. Heller (Draft 1)

Analyzing Judge Selection and the Effects of Precedent

Major Writing Assignment #1 Legal Reasoning Introduction Legal systems around the world are the way they are today because of what happened many hundred years ago.  Legal systems were only a small part of what was implemented in new countries during the European colonization period.  If a major power such as Spain, France or Germany … Continue reading Analyzing Judge Selection and the Effects of Precedent

Riley v. California, 573 U.S. ___ (2014)

Held: The police generally may not, without a warrant, search digital information on a cell phone seized from an individual who has been arrested. I believe that the holding in Riley v. California is narrow because of the specificity of the sentence.  After the case of Robinson the Court declined to extend its categorical rule, … Continue reading Riley v. California, 573 U.S. ___ (2014)

Office of the Public Defender Internship Draft (WIP)

What they’re looking for: potential to be good defense investigators creative excellent writing skills eye for detail handle such an independent, people oriented job. FACT PATTERN Our client, Vivian Smith, was arrested and accused of Robbery and Assault with Dangerous Weapon (ADW – Bat). Ms. Smith is 23 years old, 5’4”, 120 pounds, with brown … Continue reading Office of the Public Defender Internship Draft (WIP)