The Law Dictionary for Everyone
Following is the case brief for Schneckloth v. Bustamonte, 412 U.S. 218 (1973) Case Summary of Schneckloth v. Bustamonte: Bustamonte was a passenger in a car that was stopped for a traffic violation. One occupant of the car, who said his brother owned the car, gave the officers consent to search the car. The officers found three stolen checks, which […]
Read moreFollowing is the case brief for Stanley v. Georgia, 394 U.S. 557 (1969) Case Summary of Stanley v. Georgia: Police obtained a warrant to search Stanley’s home for evidence of bookmaking activities. Police then came across an obscene film, and they seized it. Stanley was later convicted criminally for possessing the obscene material, and the Supreme Court of Georgia affirmed […]
Read moreThe 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution abolished slavery and involuntary servitude. It also grants Congress the power to enact laws that enforce the Amendment. Ratified by the states on December 6, 1865, it was the first amendment to mention the institution of slavery. To explore this concept, consider the following 13th Amendment definition. Definition of 13th Amendment Noun, The […]
Read moreThe 12th Amendment is the section of the Constitution that maps out the procedure for electing the President of the United States, as well as the Vice President. For example, the 12th Amendment directs the Electoral College on how to vote. It also provides for how many votes are necessary in order to elect both the President and Vice President. […]
Read moreThe meaning of “Zero Tolerance law” is that people will suffer automatic punishments by law as a result of engaging in a particular kind of behavior. For example, Zero Tolerance law in the U.S. refers to driving while under the influence of alcohol and while underage. In other words, Zero Tolerance laws make it illegal for any driver under the […]
Read moreFollowing is the case brief for Calder v. Bull, 3 U.S. 386 (1798) Case Summary of Calder v. Bull: A probate court denied the Bulls inheritance, allowing Calder to inherit instead. The Connecticut legislature then passed a resolution, allowing for a new probate trial and right of appeal. Calder argued that the resolution violated the Constitution’s prohibition on ex post […]
Read moreFollowing is the case brief for Illinois v. Caballes, 543 U.S. 405 (2005) Case Summary of Illinois v. Caballes: A state trooper stopped Caballes for speeding. Another trooper overheard the stop called over the radio. The second trooper went to the location of the stop with a drug-detection dog and walked the dog around Caballes’ car, while the first trooper […]
Read moreFollowing is the case brief for Montgomery v. Louisiana, 136 S. Ct. 718 (2016) Case Summary of Montgomery v. Louisiana: In 1963, 17-year-old Montgomery killed a deputy sheriff in Louisiana. He was convicted and received a mandatory life-without-parole sentence. In 2012, the Supreme Court decided Miller v. Alabama, which held that a mandatory life-without-parole sentence for a juvenile violates the […]
Read moreFollowing is the case brief for Thompson v. Oklahoma, 487 U.S. 815 (1988) Case Summary of Thompson v. Oklahoma: Petitioner Thompson was age 15 when he participated in a murder. He was tried as an adult and eventually sentenced to death. The State appeals court affirmed the conviction and sentence. The U.S. Supreme Court, however, vacated the sentence and remanded […]
Read moreThe 25th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution addresses the subject of presidential succession. It establishes procedures for filling presidential and vice-presidential vacancies in the event of disability, death, resignation, or removal. The states ratified the amendment on February 10, 1967. To explore this concept, consider the following 25th Amendment definition. Definition of 25th Amendment Noun An amendment to the U.S. […]
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