The Law Dictionary for Everyone
Following is the case brief for Kyllo v. United States, 533 U.S. 27 (2001) Case Summary of Kyllo v. United States: Federal agents used a thermal imaging device outside of Kyllo’s home, suspecting that Kyllo was growing marijuana in his home, which requires use of heat lamps. The device indicated that more heat was emanating from Kyllo’s residence than from […]
Read moreThe term “ratification” describes the act of making something officially valid by signing it or otherwise giving it formal consent. For example, ratification occurs when parties sign a contract. The signing of the contract makes it official, and it can then be enforced by law, should the need arise. To explore this concept, consider the following ratification definition. Definition of […]
Read moreThe 6th Amendment is the amendment to the Constitution that gives everyone the right to a speedy and public trial. For example, the 6th Amendment provides that a person will not have to undergo a drawn-out process that can both prolong his anxiety and potentially impair his ability to defend himself. The 6th Amendment also requires all criminal trials be […]
Read moreFollowing is the case brief for McCleskey v. Kemp, 481 U.S. 279 (1987) Case Summary of McCleskey v. Kemp: Petitioner, an African-American man, was convicted in Georgia for murdering a white police officer and was sentenced to death. Seeking habeas corpus relief in federal district court, petitioner claimed that his death sentence was unconstitutional based on statistical study showing that […]
Read moreFollowing is the case brief for Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc., 134 S. Ct. 2751 (2014) Case Summary of Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc.: Several for-profit, closely held companies, including Hobby Lobby, complained that the ACA’s requirement that for-profit employers provide insurance for contraceptives for their female employees infringed on their companies’ First Amendment right of the free […]
Read moreFollowing is the case brief for Reynolds v. Sims, 377 U.S. 533 (1964) Case Summary of Reynolds v. Sims: Voters in several Alabama counties sought a declaration that the State’s legislature did not provide equal representation of all Alabama citizens. The federal district court, unsatisfied with Alabama’s proposals to remedy the representation problem, ordered temporary reapportionment for the 1962 general […]
Read moreFollowing is the case brief for Fletcher v. Peck, 10 U.S. (6 Cranch) 87 (1810) Case Summary of Fletcher v. Peck: The Georgia state legislature conveyed land to four companies in 1795. A year later, a newly elected legislature declared that the land conveyance was invalid. Peck, who acquired part of the conveyed land before the conveyance was declared invalid, […]
Read moreFollowing is the case brief for Hernandez v. Texas, 347 U.S. 475 (1954) Case Summary of Hernandez v. Texas: Hernandez was indicted for murder by a grand jury, and he was ultimately convicted and sentenced to life in prison. He moved to quash his indictment and trial jury panel, alleging that the county that charged him systematically excluded Mexicans from […]
Read moreFollowing is the case brief for Shelby County v. Holder, 133 S. Ct. 2612 (2013) Case Summary of Shelby County v. Holder: Section 4(b) of the Voting Rights Act has a formula to identify any State or political subdivision that maintained tests or devices to suppress the minority vote as a “covered jurisdiction,” which under Section 5 of the Act […]
Read moreFollowing is the case brief for Sweatt v. Painter, 339 U.S. 629 (1950) Case Summary of Sweatt v. Painter: An African-American law school applicant was denied admission into the University of Texas Law School solely because of his race. Upon suit filed by the applicant, the university tried to set up a separate facility for African-American law students. The Texas […]
Read more