Discussion Assignment 1

1. What characteristics differentiate a criminal offense from a civil wrong? In other words, suppose state X is considering adopting a law making conduct Y a crime. What abstract characteristics should this conduct have to justify the criminalization of the behavior??

2. Locate information on the Lawrence v Texas, a Supreme Court case decided a few years ago. What do you think of this decision? Should the government be involved in criminalizing private morals? Do you agree with the Supreme Court's interpretation of the Constitutional issues? Why or why not? Will there be any unintended consequences from this decision?

3. Read a news story about the homicide of Dr. George Tiller, the Wichita doctor who was killed in his own church. Should this offense be a federal crime, a state crime, or both? Should the offenders' pro life beliefs vis a vis the victim's activities be any kind of defense? Why or why not?

Discussion Assignment 2

1. What are the differences between proximate cause and causation in fact? Can you offer an example of a real or hypothetical case where actual cause exists, but proximate cause is lacking?

2. Sexual offender registration is a controversial topic for discussion. There are several news stories dealing with sex offenders.

3. a. What are the legal and practical problems with these laws?

b. Who should be required to register?

c. Should there be national uniformity? (A federal law?)

4. View the videos in the course content this week on social host laws. What is your opinion of laws that penalize individuals who allow minors to drink on their property? Should these "parents" face punishment? Why or Why not?