Children and the Law Posts
Justin Driver Discusses Public Education
Lauren KlosinskiJustin Driver of the University of Chicago Law School recently visited the National Constitution Center for a stimulating discussion on the role the U.S. Supreme Court has played in defining the rights of students in America’s public schools, from race and drugs to religion and free speech.
California kids who didn’t learn to read and write to get day in court
John FensterwaldCalifornia Supreme Justice Goodwin Liu raised court-watchers’ eyebrows two years ago when the court declined to consider a much-watched lawsuit over the adequacy of state education funding, but Liu hinted he’d welcome another case to define children’s right to a meaningful education under the California Constitution.
Brendan Dassey’s false confession shows we need to be more careful when interrogating juveniles
Brandon GarrettA recent USA Today Op-ed piece addresses the topic of juvenile interrogation tactics.
Rights of a Juvenile in Custody; Definition of Custody
Jennifer Morinigo, Elizabeth S. Scott, Richard Bonnie, Emily Buss, Clare Huntington and Solangel MaldonadoPart III of the Children and the Law project deals with juvenile justice doctrine. In this area, modern courts increasingly have focused on differences between juvenile and adult offenders, often invoking research on adolescent development to guide legal decisionmaking. As the Introduction to this Part indicates, the Supreme Court has played an important role in promoting this developmental approach; in several opinions, the Court has determined that the immaturity of adolescents should inform the justice system response to juvenile offending.
U.S. Supreme Court will not hear Bostic case on long sentences for juveniles
Rachel LippmannThe U.S. Supreme Court will not consider the constitutionality of a 241-year prison sentence given to a St. Louis man more than two decades ago.
The high court on Monday announced it would not hear the case of Bobby Bostic. The justices gave no reason for their decision.
Parental Authority and Responsibility for Medical Care
Elizabeth S. Scott, Richard Bonnie, Emily Buss, Clare Huntington, Solangel Maldonado, David D. Meyer and Jennifer MorinigoTwo Sections from the 2018 Annual Meeting draft deal with this topic. Black letter for each Section is included below. The full draft contains Comments (with Illustrations) and Reporters’ Notes.
Is lack of dental care child neglect?
Lori ComstockA Stroudsburg, Pa., mom was threatened to be reported for child abuse after a dentist claims she failed to take her child for regular dental treatment.
On March 19, Trey Hoyumpa posted a letter she received from Smiles 4 Keeps, a pediatric dental office in Bartonsville, Pa.
In the letter, the office informs her that if she does not bring her child for a “regular professional cleaning and treatment,” they can charge her with “dental neglect.”
N.J. bill would limit religious vaccine exemptions
Nicole LeonardIt would be more difficult for New Jersey parents to get their children exempted from mandatory vaccines based on religious grounds if a new bill introduced Thursday becomes law.
Children in the Justice System
Elizabeth S. Scott, Emily Buss and David D. MeyerChildren and the Law Restatement Reporters Elizabeth Scott, Emily Buss, and David Meyer highlight the ways in which children are different from adults, particularly the heightened vulnerability when in police custody.
Court: South Carolina Law Poses Risk to Student Rights
Taylor CarrollStudents’ freedom of expression and due process are put at risk by a South Carolina law that led to the arrest of two high school students for videotaping a classmate being flipped out of a chair, a federal appeals court says.