On June I attended a CLE webinar, AI in Criminal Justice: Automated Decision-making Tools and Technology, From Policing to Corrections, sponsored by the Civil Rights and Social Justice Section of the American Bar Association. Below is a brief description of topics covered and a list of useful resources for those interested…
Articles Posted in David Badertscher
United States v. Rahimi Upholds a Law Unarming Violent Abusers
On June 21, 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court delivered a significant ruling in United States v. Rahimi (22-915), affirming the constitutionality of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(8), which restricts firearm possession by individuals subject to domestic violence restraining orders. The decision came in an 8-1 vote, with Chief Justice Roberts writing…
Jury Instructions and Charges in the New York Trial Courts: A Balancing Act
The recent high-profile trial of former president Donald Trump has reignited discussions on the role of jury instructions in shaping verdicts. This post is based in part on the following query we asked Gemini following the triaI: I need a broad discussion of jury instructions and charges to the jury…
The Evolution of AI in Law Libraries
Law libraries are undergoing a transformation fueled by Artificial Intelligence (AI). While AI isn’t replacing librarians, it’s becoming a powerful tool that’s changing how legal research is conducted and how libraries serve their patrons. The history of artificial intelligence in law libraries is a fascinating journey marked by technological evolution,…
Report on the Investigation Into Unauthorized Classified Documents Discovered at Various Locations Related to President Joseph Biden
This posting includes an excerpt from the Report on the Investigation Into Unauthorized Removal, Retention, and Disclosure of Classified Documents Discovered at Locations Including the Penn Biden Center and the Delaware Private Residence of President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. prepared for the Attorney General of the United States by Special Counsel Robert K.…
ABA Issues Formal Opinion on Lawyers’ Use of Listservs
Lawyer listservs are often used by attorneys and other professionals to help keep up with changes in the law. But they pose some potential for violating confidentiality model rules On May 8, the American Bar Association Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility released formal opinion 511 which provides guidance for…
Ethical Standards for Election Administration: A Report from the American Law Institute (ALI)
Election administrators and their staff, spread throughout thousands of voting jurisdictions in the United States, perform a core service dedicated to maintaining and preserving our democracy. Their work has become significantly more difficult, as our contentious politics have clouded much of what they do with misunderstanding and distrust. These challenges…
ABA Survey: Most Think That U.S. Democracy is Weaker Than it was Five Years Ago
According to responses to the 2024 ABA Survey of Civic Literacy, 74% of individuals surveyed said that U.S. democracy is weaker than it was five years ago. Most blamed misinformation, disinformation, and political parties for contributing to this result. The survey is released each year to mark Law Day, observed annually on…
Medicare Accountable Care Organizations: Past Performance and Future Directions
According to Medicare,” Accountable Care Organizations, or ACOs, are all about providing the best types of care for patients with Medicare, while simultaneously helping to lower the cost of healthcare. They consist of a coordinated group of doctors, hospitals and various types of medical providers who work together for the…
American Criminal Law: A captivating Journey Through Justice–A Review
Thinking back on my fifty plus years as a practicing law librarian, I have come to believe that criminal law is one of the more humanistic of legal disciplines because it can reach people at such a personal level. Paul H Robinson* and Sarah M Robinson capture this thought in…