The Law Dictionary for Everyone
Following is the case brief for Gill v. Whitford, 138 S. Ct. 1916 (2018) Case Summary of Gill v. Whitford: In 2010, the Republican majority in Wisconsin gerrymandered the State’s districts to ensure a Republican majority in the State for the foreseeable future. Democratic voters sued in federal court, alleging that the partisan gerrymander violated the First and Fourteenth Amendments. […]
Read moreA federal holiday is a holiday established and recognized by federal law. Congress creates these holidays according to the United States Code. On these days every year, all non-essential government offices close for business. To explore this concept, consider the following federal holidays definition. Definition of Federal Holidays Noun Certain days each year that the United States government has designated […]
Read moreFollowing is the case brief for Mathews v. Eldridge, 424 U.S. 319 (1976) Case Summary of Mathews v. Eldridge: Respondent Eldridge, who was receiving Social Security disability benefits, was notified that his disability benefits would be terminated based on his answers to a questionnaire and his medical records. Eldridge then sued in federal court, alleging that due process requires an […]
Read moreThe term “plausible deniability” refers to the ability of an individual to deny knowing about something nefarious because there is no proof to the contrary. For example, plausible deniability can protect people who were either personally involved or willfully disregarded something illegal or unethical if there is no evidence showing they knew about it. High-ranking individuals may claim plausible deniability […]
Read moreThe term “public policy” refers to a set of actions the government takes to address issues within society. For example, public policy addresses problems over the long-term, such as issues with healthcare or gun control, and as such, it can take years to develop. Public policy addresses issues that affect a wider swath of society, rather than those pertaining to […]
Read moreFollowing is the case brief for Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co. v. Sawyer, 343 U.S. 579 (1952) Case Summary of Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co. v. Sawyer: Responding to a threatened nationwide steel worker strike and concerned that much-needed steel would not be available to prosecute the Korean War, President Truman ordered federal control over most of the steel mills […]
Read moreFollowing is the case brief for Webster v. Reproductive Health Services, 492 U.S. 490 (1989) Case Summary of Webster v. Reproductive Health Services: The State of Missouri enacted a law restricting abortions. Four sections of the law most relevant were: (i) a preamble stating that life begins at conception; (ii) a restriction on the use of public facilities for abortions […]
Read moreFollowing is the case brief for Nebbia v. New York, 291 U.S. 502 (1934) Case Summary of Nebbia v. New York: The New York Legislature created a Milk Control Board, which had the power to fix milk prices to help milk farmers make a living during the Great Depression. Nebbia, a store owner, sold milk at a price lower than […]
Read moreFollowing is the case brief for Hurtado v. California, 110 U.S. 516 (1884) Case Summary of Hurtado v. California: The law of California allows for accusation by information to begin a criminal case, in addition to indictment by grand jury. Hurtado was accused by information of murder. He was subsequently tried and found guilty of murder. Hurtado claimed that his […]
Read moreFollowing is the case brief for Goodridge v. Department of Public Health, 798 N.E.2d 941 (Mass. 2003) Case Summary of Goodridge v. Department of Public Health: Seven same-sex couples were denied marriage licenses in the State of Massachusetts. They sued the government, stating that denying marriage to same-sex couples violates Massachusetts law. The state Superior Court granted the government’s motion […]
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