chapter 3 constitutions, statutes, administrative law…

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CHAPTER3

CONSTITUTIONS, STATUTES, ADMINISTRATIVE LAW, AND

COURTRULES—RESEARCHANDANALYSISLecturePlan/ChapterOutline

I . INTRODUCTION LawspassedbyCongressorstatelegislaturesaregenerallycalledactsorstatutes.Thisbody

oflawiscommonlyreferredtoasstatutorylaw.Ordinancesarelawsusuallypassedbylocal

governing bodies, such as city councils and county commissions. Administrative agencies,

undertheauthoritygrantedbylegislativebodies,adoptrulesandregulationsthathavethe

forceoflaw.

Statutoryanalysis istheprocessofdeterminingifastatuteapplies,howitapplies,and

theeffectofthatapplication.

I I . ANATOMY OF A STATUTE Understanding the structure of statutory law is essential to effective statutory analysis. A

researchermustbeabletoidentifywhetherthestatutoryscheme(organizationalstructureof

thestatutorylaw)assistsindeterminingifaparticularstatuteisapplicabletoasetoffactsor

whetherothersourcesneedtobeconsultedtodeterminetheapplicabilityofthelaw.

A. Numbers

Eachstatutehasnumbersassignedforeachsectionofthestatute.

Most laws are divided into broad categories, each of which is assigned a number.

Thosebroad categories aredivided into topicsor smaller categories that are also assigned

numbers.Thetopicsarefurtherdividedintosubtopics,eachofwhichisassignedanumber,

andsoon.


B. Short Tit le

Theshorttitleisthenamebywhichthestatuteisknown.

C. Purpose Clause

Thepurposeclause includesthepurposethelegislativebodyintendedtoaccomplishwhen

draftingthestatute.

D. Scope

Somestatuteshavesectionsthatstatespecificallywhatisandisnotcoveredbythestatute.

Thesearecalledscopesections.

E. Definit ions

Somestatuteshavedefinitionssectionsthatdefinetermsusedinthestatute.

F. Substantive Provisions

The substantive sections set forth the substance of the law. They establish the rights and

dutiesofthosegovernedbythestatute:thatwhichisrequired,prohibited,orallowed.

The substantive sectionsmay include sections thatprovide remedies, suchas finesor

imprisonment incriminalcases.Theremaybesectionsgoverningprocedure,suchaswhich

courthasjurisdictionoverthematterscoveredbythestatute.

G. Annotations/Reference Information

Following each section of a statute is reference information, usually referred to as

annotations,whichincludes:

▪ The history of the section, including dates of amendment. It may also include

summariesoftheamendmentsandpreviousstatutorynumbersifthesectionnumber

haschangedduetoarecodification

▪ Historicalandstatutorynotes

▪ Officialcommentsonthesection

▪ Cross-referencestootherrelatedstatutes


▪ Library references/researchguides—references toother sources thatmaybeuseful

whenanalyzingthestatute,suchasbooks,digestkeynumbers,lawreviewandother

articles,ALRcites,andlegalencyclopediacitesthatdiscussthesection(C.J.S.,Am.Jur.

2d,etc.)

▪ Notes to decisions—the name, citation, and summaries of key court decisions that

havediscussed,analyzed,orinterpretedthestatute

Annotationsaresourcesofinformationandarenotpartofthestatute.Theyarenotthe

lawanddonothavelegalauthority.

I I I . STATUTORY RESEARCH—LOCATING STATUTES Statutoryresearch istheprocessoffindingthestatutorylawthatappliestoaproblem.The

U.S. Constitution is includedwith theUnited StatesCodeAnnotatedand theUnited States

Code Service, themain research sources for federal law, andmost state constitutions are

includedwiththestatestatutes.

A. Federal Law

1. Publication

ThefulltextofeachlawispublishedseparatelybytheU.S.GovernmentPrintingOfficeandis

referredtoasaslip law.AttheendofeachsessionofCongress,thesliplawsareplacedin

chronologicalorder (organizedaccording to thedate the lawwaspassed)andpublished in

volumestitledtheUnitedStatesStatutesatLarge.

IntheUnitedStatesCode,thelawscontainedintheUnitedStatesStatutesatLargeare

organized(codified)bysubjectinto50categoriescalledtitles.TheUnitedStatesCodeisthe

officialcodeofthelawsoftheUnitedStates.Apublicationofacodeoflawsisconsideredan

official code when the government itself publishes the code or arranges for or directs a

commercialpublishertopublishthecode.


2. United States Code Annotated

TheUnitedStatesCodeAnnotated(USCA) isnotanofficialcode,as it ispublishedbyWest

Group(andisavailableonWestlaw).TheUSCAconsistsofapproximately200volumes.The

firstvolumescontaintheU.S.Constitutionwithannotations.Subsequentvolumesincludethe

entiretextofthe50titlesoftheUnitedStatesCode.TheUSCAincludes:

a. GeneralIndex

b. PocketPartsandSupplementaryPamphlets

c. PopularNameTable—alistofthepopularnamesofstatutes,suchasthe

AmericanswithDisabilitiesActandtheFreedomofInformationAct

d. ConversionTables—canbeusedtofindwherethelawisclassifiedintheUSCA

3. United States Code Service

TheUnitedStatesCodeService(USCS)isnotanofficialcode,asitispublishedbyLexisNexis.

TheUSCS consists of approximately 150 volumes and contains thewording of the federal

statutespublishedintheStatutesatLarge.

SimilaritiesbetweentheUSCAandUSCSarethatbothsets:

1. Areorganizedinthesameway

2. Havegeneralindexes,popularnametables,andconversiontables

3. Areannotated

4. Aresimilarlyupdated

DifferencesbetweentheUSCAandUSCS:

1. TheUSCAincludesmorecourtdecisionsinthe“NotesofDecisions”sectionofthe

annotations. The USCS tends to be more selective and references the more

significantcases.

2. The “ResearchGuide” sectionofUSCSannotations ismore comprehensive than

the“LibraryReference”sectionoftheUSCAinthatitincludesmorereferencesto

researchsources.


3. The supplements to the USCS, called the Cumulative Later Case and Statutory

Service,arecumulative.

4. In the USCA, the topics covered in the “Notes to the Decisions” are arranged

alphabetically; in theUSCS, the “InterpretiveNotes andDecisions” arearranged

accordingtotopic.

B. State Statutory Law and Codes

The enactment and publication of state legislation varies in detail from state to state, but

moststatecodesaresimilartotheUSCAandUSCSinthefollowingways:

▪ Eachsethasageneralindex,andsomesetshaveaseparateindexfollowingeachtitle.

▪ Somestatuteshavepopularnametablesandconversiontablesthatcanbeusedto

locatestatutesthathavebeenrenumberedorrepealed.

▪ The statutesareorganizedby subject,witheach subject titlebeing subdivided into

chapters,andsoon.

▪ Thestateconstitutionwithannotationsisincludedinthecode.

▪ Statecodesareusuallyupdatedannuallybysomeformofsupplement.Thesemaybe

pocketpartsinsertedinthestatutoryvolumeorseparatepamphlets.

▪ State statutes are annotated. The annotations include the history of the

section, cross-references toother statutes, researchguides, andnotes to

courtdecisions.

C. The Research Process—Techniques and Strategies

1. Locate the Statute

Thebeginningstepofall research, includingstatutory research, is to identifywhatyouare

looking for as precisely and narrowly as possible. After you have defined your search as

conciselyaspossible,therearethreemainwaystoapproachlocatingastatute:

a. GeneralIndex

b. TitleTableofContents

c. PopularName


2. Update Your Research

Afteryou locateastatute,check thepocketpartsandsupplementarypamphlets toensure

thatthestatutepublishedinthemainvolumehasnotbeenamendedorrepealed.Checkalso

theannotationstolocatenewcaselawthatmayaffecttheinterpretationofthestatute.

D. Ethics—Competence and Dil igence

There are considerationsofethics to keep inmindwhen conducting any kindof research.

Rule1.1oftheAmericanBarAssociation’sModelRulesofProfessionalConductrequiresthat

aclientbeprovidedcompetentrepresentation.Rule1.3providesthataclientberepresented

withdiligenceandpromptness.

IV. ADMINISTRATIVE LAW The body of law that results from the rules and regulations and the court opinions

interpretingthemiscalledadministrativelaw.

A. Federal Administrative Law

1. Publication

Administrativeregulationsarepublishedintwosources:

a. FederalRegister.TheFederalRegisterisadailypublicationofthefederalgovernment

thatpublishes:

• Presidentialdocumentssuchasexecutiveorders

• Rulesandregulations

• Proposedrulesandregulations,includingsummariesofproposedrulesandnotices

ofhearings,personstocontact,andothers

b. CodeofFederalRegulations(CFR).Theregulationsofadministrativeagenciesare

codifiedinthismultivolume,softboundsetofbooks.

1. Researching Federal Administrative Law

ThefollowingguidesfocusonresearchingtheCFR.


a. Indexesandtableofcontents

b. Othersourcesforlocatingrulesandregulations—secondarysources,suchaslawreview

articlesandALRannotations

c. FederalRegister

d. Computer-aidedresearch

e. Courtandadministrativedecisions—maybeavailablethroughtheGovernmentPrinting

Officeandthroughcommercialpublishers,suchasCCHandBNA(discussedinthis

chapter);administrativeandcourtdecisionscanalsobeaccessedthroughWestlawand

LexisNexis

f. Updatingadministrativelawresearch—theCodeofFederalRegulationsisupdatedbyconsultingtheListofCFRSectionsAffected(LSA)

B. State Administrative Law

Thepublicationofstaterulesandregulationsvariesfromstatetostate.Thepublicationand

research of state administrative law often follows in varying degrees that of federal

administrativelaw.

V. COURT RULES Court rules regulatetheconductofmattersbroughtbeforethecourt.TheFederalRulesof

CivilandCriminalProcedureareincludedintheUnitedStatesCode.

The state and federal rules are available on Westlaw and LexisNexis, through

http://www.findlaw.comandthestateorindividualcourtwebsite.

Localrulesarespecifictothecourtandgenerallygovernadministrativematterssuchas

thesizeofpapersaccepted, thenumberofcopiesofpleadings thatmustbe filedwith the

original,andhowtofilebyfacsimiletransmission.

VI. ANALYSIS—THE PROCESS Theanalysisofenactedlawandcourtrulesisaprocessofdeterminingifalawapplies,howit

applies,andtheeffectofthatapplicationtoaspecificfactsituation.Whenanalyzingalegal


problemoraddressinganissuegovernedbyaconstitutional,statutory,oradministrativelaw

provision,oracourtrule,itishelpfultohaveanapproach—ananalysisprocess.Athree-step

approachisrecommended.

A. Step 1: Determine If the Statute Applies

1. Locateallapplicablestatutes.

2. Determinewhich statutes applyby askingdoes the general areaof law coveredby

thisstatuteapplytotheissueraisedbythefactsofmyclient’scase?

▪ Reference to case law may be necessary to determine if a statute governs a

situation.

▪ It may be that two laws govern a legal question. In this event, two causes of

actionmaybeavailable.

▪ Always check the effective date of the statute to be sure that the statute is in

effect.

▪ Alwayscheck thesupplements to thestatute tomakesure that thestatuteyou

areresearchingisthelatestversion.

B. Step 2: Analyze the Statute

Carefullyreadandanalyzethestatutetodeterminehowitapplies.Somestatutesarelengthy

anddifficulttounderstand.Step2involvestwoparts:

1. Read the Statute

a. Readthestatutecarefullyseveraltimes.

b. Doesthestatutesetastandardormerelyprovidefactorsthatmustbeconsidered?

c. Doesthestatuteprovidemorethanoneruleortest?Areotherrulesortestsavailable?

Arethereexceptionstotheruleortest?

d. Allthewordsandpunctuationhavemeaning.Alwayscheckthedefinitionssectionfor

themeaningofaterm.

e. Reviewtheentirestatute(allsections)todetermineifothersectionsinsomewayaffect

orrelatetothesectionyouareresearching.


f. Certaincommonterminologymustbeunderstood.Beawareofthemeaningof

commonlyusedtermssuchasshall,may,and,and/or.Shallmakesthedutyimposed

mandatory.Itmustbedone.Mayleavesthedutyoptional.Ifandisused,allthe

conditionsorlisteditemsarerequired.Ifthetermorisused,onlyoneoftheconditions

orlisteditemsisrequired.

g. Keepinmindthecannonofconstructionswhenreading.

2. Identify the Statutory Elements

Whatdoes the statute specificallydeclare, require, orprohibit?Ask yourself,what specific

requirementsmustbemetforthestatutetoapply?Whataretheelements?Forastatuteto

apply, certain conditions established by the statute must be met. These conditions or

componentsofthestatutearecalledstatutoryelements.Aftertheelementsareidentified,

youcandeterminehowthestatuteapplies.

Identify the elements or requirements of the statute by reading the entire statute,

analyzingeachsentencewordbyword,andlistingeverythingthatisrequired.

C. Step 3: Apply the Statute to the Legal Problem or Issue

Thisentailsapplyingormatchingthefactsoftheclient’scasetotheelementsofthestatute.

Matchtheclient’sfactswiththerequiredelementsofthestatute.

1. Chart Format

Utilizeachartthatliststheelementsofthestatute.

2. Narrative Summary

Useanarrativesummaryoftheelementsandhowthefactsofthecasematchorestablish

theelements.

VII . GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS Always keep inmind twomajor considerations and guidelines when engaged in statutory

analysis:


1. Legislativehistory

2. Canonsofconstruction

Theplain meaning rulemandates that a statutewill be interpreted according to its plain

meaning. Words will be interpreted according to their common meanings. The court will

render an interpretation that reflects the plainmeaning of the language and is consistent

withthemeaningofallothersectionsoftheact.

A. Legislative History

Legislative history is the record of the legislation during the enactment process before it

became law. It is composed of committee reports, transcripts of hearings, statements of

legislatorsconcerningthelegislation,andanyothermaterialpublishedfor legislativeuse in

regardtothelegislation.

B. Canons of Construction

Canonsof constructionare rulesandguidelines thecourtsusewhen interpretingstatutes.

Theplainmeaningrulegovernswhenthecanonsofconstructionapply.Ifthemeaningofthe

statuteisclearonitsface,thenthereisnoroomforinterpretationandacourtwillnotapply

thecanonsofconstruction.

1. Expressio Unius

The entire Latin phrase is expressio unius est exclusio alterius, which translates as “the

expression of one excludes all others.” If the statute contains a list of what is covered,

everythingelseisexcluded.

2. Ejusdem Generis

The Latin term ejusdem generismeans “of the same genus or class.”Whenever a statute

contains a specific list followed by a general term, the general term is interpreted to be

limitedtootherthingsofthesameclassorkindasthoseinthelist.


3. Pari Materia

TheLatinphraseparimateria translatesas “on the samesubjectmatter.” Statutesdealing

withthesamesubjectshouldbeinterpretedconsistently.

4. Last Antecedent Rule

Qualifyingwordsandphrasesapply to thewordsorphrase immediatelyprecedinganddo

notextendtoothermoreremotewordsorphrases.

5. Intended Remedy

Statutesaretobeinterpretedinamannerthatfurtherstheintendedlegislativeremedy.

6. Entire Context

Thewords,phrases,andsubsectionsofastatutearetobeinterpretedinthecontextofthe

entirestatute.

7. Constitutionality

Statutes are assumed to be constitutional and should be construed in a manner that

preservestheirconstitutionality,ifpossible.

8. Criminal Statutes

Criminalstatutesaretobenarrowlyinterpreted.

VII I . CITING CONSTITUTIONS, STATUTES, ADMINISTRATIVE LAW, AND COURT RULES

A. Cit ing Constitutions

ThecitationformatforconstitutionsisinBluepagesB11andRule11oftheBluebookand

Rule13oftheALWDGuide.

B. Cit ing Statutes

The citation format for statutes can be found in Bluepages B12 and Rule 12 of the

BluebookandRule14oftheALWDGuide.


1. General Rules When Citing Statutes

a. OfficialversusUnofficialCodes.

Theofficialcodeshouldbecitedwhenastatuteisfoundtherein.Citingtounofficial

codesispermissiblebutrequiresthatthenameofthepublisher,editor,orcompiler

beincludedintheparentheticalwiththeyearofthecode.

b. PrintversusElectronicDatabases

When citing a print source be mindful of whether material is taken from main

volumesorsupplementalvolumes.

c. SectionSymbolandMultipleSections

Thesectionsymbolisusedtoindicateasectionofastatute.

d. ShortCitationFormat

Once citation to a statute has been presented in a document in the full format,

subsequentcitesmaybeinshortcitationformat.

2. Session Laws and Sl ip Laws

Ifacitationisnotavailableintheofficialorunofficialcodes,thenitisappropriatetocite

thesessionlaw.

C. Cit ing Administrative Law

ThecitationformatforadministrativelawcanbefoundinBluepagesB14adRule14ofthe

BluebookandRule19oftheALDWGuide.

D. Cit ing Court Rules

The citation format for court rules can be found in Bluepages B12 and Rule 12 of the

BluebookandRule17oftheALWDGuide.

E. Sections and Paragraphs


TeachingTips

Emphasize that knowing the anatomy of a statute (the statutory sections, such as the

definitionsection,scope,andsubstantiveprovisions)isimportantandthattheentirestatute

shouldbereviewed,notjustasubstantiveprovision.Forexample,studentsmaytendtoread

only the substantive statute they have looked up and fail to read the definition section or

othersectionsofthestatutethatmayaffecttheapplicationofthesectiontheyhavelocated.

Also,emphasizethevalueofthereferenceinformationfollowingthestatutoryprovision.

Emphasizethat,whenanalyzingastatute,itisimportanttoidentifyalltherequirements

(elements)ofthestatuteandthattheremustbefactsthatmeeteachelementforthestatute

toapply.

SuggestedAssignments

1. Refer toAssignment7of theChapterExercises.Havestudentsrefer tothestatutes

andanswerthefollowingquestions.

▪ Howismurderinthefirstdegreedefined?

▪ Doesyourstaterecognizenuncupativewills—and,ifso,whatisrequired?

▪ Doesyourstateallowholographicwills—andifso,whatisrequired?

▪ WhatisthecitationoftheStatuteofFraudssectionoftheStateCommercialCode?

▪ Does your state have a statute protecting privileged communications between

spouses?Ifso,whatisthecitationandwhatcommunicationsareprivileged?

2. Have students locate your state law governing nuncupative wills and complete

Assignment12A–Dusingthatlawratherthanthelawpresentedinthisassignment.

3. Have students locate the statuteof frauds sectionof your state’s commercial code

and complete the assignment using that law rather than the law presented in

Assignment13A–C.

4. Have students locate your state law governing privileged spousal communications

and complete Assignment 14A–C using that law rather than the law presented in

Assignment14.


TextAssignments:AnswersASSIGNMENT1

Answerswillvarydependingonthestate.

ASSIGNMENT2

TheFairHousingAct,42U.S.C.§3601et.seq.Theeasiestwaytofindthisisbyconsultingthe

popularnametableunder“FairHousingAct.”Whether thestatehasa lawdependson the

state.

ASSIGNMENT3

17U.S.C.A.§1001,underCOPYRIGHTS—DigitalaudiorecordingdeviceinUSCAindex.Section

1001(3):

A“digitalaudiorecordingdevice”isanymachineordeviceofa

typecommonlydistributedtoindividualsforusebyindividuals,

whetherornotincludedwithoraspartofsomeothermachine

ordevice,thedigitalrecordingfunctionofwhichisdesignedor

marketed for the primary purpose of, and that is capable of,

makingadigital audio copied recording forprivateuseexcept

for—

(A) Professionalmodelproducts,and

(B) Dictation machines, answering machines, and other

audio recording equipment that is designed and

marketedprimarilyforthecreationofsoundrecordings

resultingfromthefixationofnonmusicalsounds.

AnswerswillvaryregardingwhatInternetsourcewasused.

AnswershouldbeYesifcheckingthecurrentnessofthesectionwasallowed.

In June 2017 answer is Current through P.L. 115-40. Answer will vary with each passing

legislativesession.


ASSIGNMENT4

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, 12 U.S.C. §4520. Under MINORITY BUSINESS

ENTERPRISE—FederalHomeLoanMortgageCorporation.

12U.S.C.A.§1833einprintwaslastupdatedMarch2014,butifaschoollibrarydoesnotkeep

theirU.S.C.A.updated,answersmayvary.

AnswerswillvaryregardingwhatInternetsourcewasused.

AnswershouldbeYesifcheckingthecurrentnessofthesectionwasallowed.

In June 2017 answer is Current through P.L. 115-40. Answer will vary with each passing

legislativesession.

ASSIGNMENT5

18U.S.C.A.§175,theauthorizedtermofimprisonmentforpossessionofbiologicalweaponsby

a restricted person is “fined as provided in this title, imprisoned notmore than 10 years, or

both, but the prohibition contained in this section shall not apply with respect to any duly

authorizedUnitedStatesgovernmentalactivity.”ThisisTitle18Section175(b).Thecurrentprint

edition is the2012editionstartedshipping in2013, thevolumecontaining this statute isdated2013.

Answers will vary regarding Internet source. Answer should always be Yes regarding checking the

currentnessof the section. In June2017answer isCurrent throughP.L.115-40.Answerwill varywith

eachpassinglegislativesession.

ASSIGNMENT6

Fifth Amendment, headnote 18—Juveniles. Application of In Re Gault, 387 U.S. 1, 87 S.Ct.

1428,18L.Ed.2d527(1967).

ASSIGNMENT7Answerswillvaryforeachpartofthisassignment.

Pages:63115–63117

EffectiveDate:October19,2015

ASSIGNMENT8A

Theelementsofarsonarethefollowing:

1. Aperson...knowingly[thatis,intentionally]


2. sets fire to, burns, causes to be burned, or by use of any explosive, damages or

destroys,orcausestobedamagedordestroyed,anypropertyofanotherwithouthis

consent.

ASSIGNMENT8B

Tomhascommittedarsonbecausealloftheelementsaremet.

1. Heactedknowingly—hedidnotaccidentallyblowupthebarn.

2. Byuseofanexplosive,hedestroyedthebarn.

3. Hedestroyedproperty—abarnisproperty.

4. Thepropertybelongedtoanother—aneighbor.

5. Heactedwithoutconsent—assumingthattheneighbordidnotconsent(thereareno

factsgivenconcerningconsent).

ASSIGNMENT8C

1. Ifthestatuteisstrictlyconstrued,Loishasprobablynotcommittedarsonbecauseshe

didnot“knowingly”setfiretothehouse.Sheaccidentallysetfiretothehouse.Case

lawshouldbeconsultedbecausethecourtsmayhaveruledthatcertainconduct,such

aslightingamatchtolocateasafeafterbreakingintoahouse,isacting“knowingly”

withinthemeaningofthestatute.Ifthatisthecase,thenLoishascommittedarson

becausetheremainingfourelementsarepresent.

2. Shesetfiretothehouse.

3. Shesetfiretoproperty—ahouseisproperty.

4. The property belonged to another—assuming that Lois did not break into her own

house.

5. Sheactedwithoutconsent—assumingthattheownerdidnotconsent(thereareno

factsgivenconcerningconsent).

ASSIGNMENT8D

Daihascommittedarsonbecausealloftheelementsaremet.

1. Sheactedknowingly—shedidnotaccidentallysetthebuildingonfire.

2. Shesetthebuildingonfire.


3. Shesetfiretoproperty—thedinerisproperty.

4. The property belonged to another—the property did not belong entirely to Dai

becausesheownedthebuildingwithSteve.Steveownedaninterestinthebuilding.

WhenDai set fire to it, she set fire to the property of “another”—Steve’s property

interestinthebuilding.

5. Sheactedwithoutconsent—assumingthatStevedidnotconsent(therearenofacts

givenconcerningconsent).

ASSIGNMENT9

AnswerswillbesimilartotheanswerstoAssignment8A–D,buttheymayvaryaccordingto

statelaw.

ASSIGNMENT10

40C.F.R.8.C.F.R. IndexunderEnvironmental ImpactStatements—EnvironmentalProtection

Statements—Antarctica,nongovernmentalactivities,environmentalimpactassessment.

ASSIGNMENT11

Page 63115. Federal Register IndexVol. 80,No. 201. The final rule is effectiveOctober 19,

2015.

ASSIGNMENT12A

The statuteapplies tonuncupativewills.Anuncupativewill is anoralwill, awill that isnot

written.

Instructor’s Note: You may want to require students to answer this question with a legal

dictionarydefinitionofnuncupative.

ASSIGNMENT12B

Theelementsofthestatuteareasfollows:

1. Thetestatormustbeinimminentperilofdeath.

2. Thetestatormusthavediedasaresultoftheimpendingperil.

3. Thetestatormusthavedeclaredthewilltobehislastwill.

4. Thetestatormusthavemadethedeclarationbeforetwodisinterestedwitnesses.

5. Thewillmustbereducedtowritingbyorunderthedirectionofoneofthewitnesses.


6. Thereductiontowritingmusttakeplacewithin30daysafterthedeclaration.

7. The will must be submitted for probate within six months after the death of the

testator.

ASSIGNMENT12C

Thestatutedoesnotapplytothissituation.Thestatuteappliestonuncupative(oral)wills.It

does not apply to written wills. The facts in Assignment 12C involve a will written by the

testator.Mr.Lang’swillwouldbegovernedbythestatutesdealingwithholographicwills,wills

writtenbythetestator,usuallyhandwritten.

ASSIGNMENT12DPART1

Thereisinsufficientinformationprovidedintheproblemtodetermineifthewillisvalidunder

thestatute.Thefollowinginformationisnecessary.

1. ItmustbedeterminedifLarry(thetestator)wasinimminentperilofdeathwhenhe

madethedeclaration.Thestatuterequiresthatthetestatorbe“inimminentperilof

death.”EventhoughLarrywasonhisdeathbed,thefactsdonotstatethathewasin

imminentperilofdeath(althoughthisprobablycanbeassumed).

2. Itmustbedetermined if Larrydiedof the imminentperil.Thestatute requires that

thetestatormustdie“asaresultoftheimpendingperil.”Thefactsdonotstatethat

Larrydiedasaresultoftheimpendingperil.AlthoughthefactsstatethatLarrywas

onhisdeathbed,andonewouldtendtoassumethathediedasaresultoftheperil,

there isnodirect statement to thiseffect in the facts.Onemustdetermine if Larry

indeeddiedoftheperilandnotassumethatthisisthecase.

Instructor’s Note: Students should be advised to beware of making assumptions. A

good rule to follow is to not assume anything; rather, be sure. If necessary, gather

moreinformationorconductadditionalresearch.

3. ItmustbedeterminedifLarry’ssisterMaryandhisneighborTomare“disinterested

witnesses”withinthemeaningofthestatute.Thestatuterequiresthatthetestator’s

declarationbemadebeforetwodisinterestedwitnesses.Bethisaninterestedwitness

because Larry leaves all his property to her. The other twowitnesses are Tomand


Mary. IfMaryorTomisdeterminedtobean interestedwitness,thentherearenot

twodisinterestedwitnesses. The requirement that the declaration bewitnessed by

twodisinterestedwitnesseswouldnotbemet,andthewillwouldnotbevalid.

Even though Mary does not inherit under the declaration of the terms of the

nuncupativewill,shemightstillinheritaportionofLarry’spropertypursuanttothe

provisions of Subsection C of the statute. Therefore, she may be considered an

interested party. The relevant statutory and case law must be researched to

determine what constitutes an interested witness and if Mary is an interested

witness.

Itmust also be determined if Tom, Larry’s next-door neighbor, is an interested

witness.LarrymayhaveawrittenwillinwhichTomisnamedasabeneficiary.Under

theprovisionsofSubsectionCof the statute, it ispossible thatTomcould inherita

portionofLarry’spropertyandthereforebeconsideredan interestedwitness.As in

Mary’scase,therelevantstatutoryandcaselawmustberesearchedtodetermineif

Tomisaninterestedwitness.

4. ItmustbedeterminedifthedeclarationbyLarrywasmade“beforetwodisinterested

witnesses.”Thequestioniswhatconstitutes“before.”Tomheardthedeclaration,but

hewasnot in the same roomas Larrywhen thedeclarationwasmade. Itmust be

determinedifthestatuterequiresthatthewitnessbephysicallypresentinthesame

roomasthetestatorwhenthedeclarationismade.

Inordertoanswerthisquestion,itwillprobablybenecessarytoresearchcaselaw

to determinewhat constitutes “before two disinterestedwitnesses.” Although it is

possiblethatanothersectionoftheProbateCodesetsforthwhatconstitutesproper

witnessing,itismorelikelythatthisquestionhasbeenaddressedbythecourts.

ASSIGNMENT12DPART2

AccordingtoSubsectionCofthestatute,thenuncupativewilldoesnotrevokeanexisting


written will. Under Subsection C, the nuncupative will only change the written will to the

extentnecessarytogiveeffecttothenuncupativewill.SubsectionBfurtherlimitstheeffectof

thenuncupativewill.Itprovidesthatanuncupativewillmayonlydisposeofpersonalproperty

inanaggregatevaluenotexceeding$1,000.

The combined effect of these two sections is that Larry’s nuncupativewill disposes of

Larry’spersonalpropertyinanamountnotexceeding$1,000.Hiswrittenwillisaffectedonly

tothisextent.

ASSIGNMENT13A

Section2-201providesthatacontractforthe“saleofgoods...isnotenforceable...unless

thereissomewriting.”Thestatutedoesnotrefertotheleaseofgoodsandthereforedoesnot

appeartoapplytotheleaseofgoods.Researchshouldbeconducted,however,todetermine

ifthe“saleofgoods” is interpretedto includethe leaseofgoods.Theremaybeadefinition

sectionoftheCommercialCodeSalesActthatdefines“saleofgoods.”Also,theremaybea

courtopinionthatinterpretswhatconstitutesthe“saleofgoods.”

ASSIGNMENT13B

Therequiredelementsforacontractforthesaleofgoodsof$500ormoretobeenforceable

arethefollowing:

1. Thecontractmustbeinwriting.

2. The writing must be sufficient to indicate that a contract for sale has been made

betweentheparties.

3. Thecontractmustbesignedbythepartyagainstwhomenforcementissought,that

is,thepartybeingsuedorthatparty’sauthorizedagentorbroker.

ASSIGNMENT13CPART1

The statute does not limit who can enforce the contract. It does, however, provide limits

againstwhomenforcementmaybesought.Thestatutelimitsenforcementtothosecontracts

“signedby thepartyagainstwhomenforcement is sought.” Inotherwords, a contractmay

onlybeenforcedagainstapartywhosignedit.Sinceneitherpartysignedthecontract,itisnot

enforceableagainsteitherparty.


ASSIGNMENT13CPART2

Thestatuteprovidesthatacontractisnotenforceableunlessitis“signedbythepartyagainst

whomenforcement issought.” IfMary is theonlypartywhosignedthecontract,underthe

provisionsof thestatute, thecontractcanonlybeenforcedagainsther.Therefore,only the

sellercanenforcethecontract.

ASSIGNMENT13CPART3

ItmustbeassumedinAssignment13C,Parts3and4,thatthewrittencontractis“sufficientto

indicatethatacontractforsalehasbeenmadebetweentheparties.”Sincethecontractwas

signed by both parties, under the provisions of the statute, it is enforceable against both

parties.The fact that thecontract incorrectlyprovides for thesaleofnine tires, rather than

the 10 tires the parties orally agreed on, does not render the contract unenforceable. The

statuteprovidesthata“writingisnotinsufficientbecauseitomitsorincorrectlystatesaterm

agreedupon.”

When, however, the contract incorrectly states a term, the statute provides that the

contract is not enforceable “beyond” the quantity shown in the contract. In this case, the

contractprovidesforthesaleofninetires.Therefore,inlightoftheprovisionsofthestatute,

thecontractisenforceableforthesaleofuptoninetires.

ASSIGNMENT13CPART4

The answers to Assignment 13C, Parts 3 and 4, are very similar. Because the contractwas

signed by both parties, under the provisions of the statute, it is enforceable against both

parties.Thefactthatthecontractincorrectlyprovidesforthesaleof15tiresratherthanthe

10tiresthepartiesorallyagreedondoesnotrenderthecontractunenforceable.Asnotedin

theanswertoAssignment13C,Part3,thestatuteprovidesthata“writing isnot insufficient

becauseitomitsorincorrectlystatesatermagreedupon.”

AsnotedintheanswertoAssignment13C,Part3,whenacontractincorrectlystatesa

term,thestatuteprovidesthatthecontractisnotenforceablebeyondthequantityshownin

thecontract.Inthiscase,thecontractprovidesforthesaleof15tires.Therefore,inlightof

theprovisionsofthestatute,thecontractshouldbeenforceableforthesaleofupto15tires.


The statute, however, does not address a question that is implied in this assignment.

Thestatuteonlyprovidesthatthecontractisnotenforceable“beyondthequantity”statedin

the contract. What if the written contract incorrectly states a quantity in excess of the

amountorallyagreeduponbythepartiesandapartywantsthecontractenforcedonlyinthe

amountoftheoralagreement?

In thiscase, theoralagreementwas for10tiresandthewrittencontractprovides for

thesaleof15tires.Isthecontractenforceableforaquantityinexcessoftheamountorally

agreed upon? A literal reading of the statute would indicate, yes; it is enforceable for a

quantity of up to 15 tires, even though the parties orally agreed only to 10 tires. In this

situation,itisadvisabletoresearchcaselawtodetermineifthecourtshaveinterpretedthe

statute to limit the enforcement of the quantity to the amount orally agreeduponby the

parties—inthiscase,10tires.

ASSIGNMENT13CPART5

There is an enforceable contract under the provisions of the statute if the slip of paper is

“sufficient to indicate that a contract for sale has been made between the parties.” The

statutedoesnotprovideanyguidanceastowhat issufficient;therefore,researchwouldbe

necessary to determine if any other statute defines “sufficient” or if the courts have

interpretedwhatconstitutesasufficientwritingunderthestatute.

If research indicates that the writing is sufficient, then additional research would be

necessarytodeterminetowhatextentthecontractisenforceable.Becausethewritingdoes

not includeanyof the termsof theagreement, suchasquantityorprice, the statute isof

littleguidance.Courtcases involvingsimilar factsituationswouldhavetoberesearchedto

determinehowandtowhatextentthecourtshaveenforcedsimilarcontracts.

ASSIGNMENT14

Instructor’sNote:Thestatutorysectioninthisassignmentinvolvesprivilegedcommunications

betweenspouses.Often,thereareotherstatestatutesthat limitthisprivilege.Forexample,

somestateshavestatutesthatprovidethattheprivilegedoesnotapplyincasesinvolving


child neglect and abuse. Therefore, students should be advised that they should always

conductthoroughresearchintoallrelatedstatutes.

ASSIGNMENT14A

ThestatutoryelementsofSection35-1-4areasfollows:

1. A husband and wife may testify for or against each other in all actions with the

followingexception:

2. Ahusbandandwifemaynottestify

a. astoanycommunicationoradmission

b. madebyeitherofthemtotheother

c. duringthemarriage.

Thisprohibitiondoesnotapplyinactions:

a. betweensuchhusbandandwife,and

b. where the custody, support, health, or welfare of their children or children in

eitherspouse’scustodyorcontrolisdirectlyinissue.

ASSIGNMENT14B

AsindicatedinAssignment14A,ahusbandandwifemaytestifyfororagainsteachotherinall

actions unless the testimony involves “any communication or admission”made by them to

each other during the marriage. In addition, they may testify for or against each other

concerning communications or admissions made during the marriage when the action is

between thehusbandandwife, anddirectly in issue is the custody . . . of their childrenor

childrenineitherspouse’scustodyorcontrol.

Except in the situationmentioned in theprevious paragraph, a husband andwife are

prohibited from testifying either for or against each other in all actions in regard to

communicationsoradmissionsmadetoeachotherduringthemarriage.

ASSIGNMENT14CPART1

It isassumedthatthehusbandandwifeweremarriedwhenthehusbandadmittedheknew

thatheranthestopsignbecausehewasdrunk.Sincetheconversationtookplaceduringthe


marriage,andthelawsuitdoesnotinvolveanactionbetweenthehusbandandwife,thewife

cannotbecompelledtotestifyconcerningherhusband’sadmission.Thestatuteprovidesthat

“neithermay testify” concerning such conversationsmadeduring themarriage. There is no

provisioninthestatutethatallowsaspousetobecompelledtotestifyinthissituation.

ASSIGNMENT14CPART2

The answer to this question is essentially the same as the answer to the question in

Assignment 14C, Part 1. Since the conversation took place during the marriage, and the

lawsuitdoesnotinvolveanactionbetweenthehusbandandwife,thewifecannotvoluntarily

testify concerning her husband’s admission. The statute provides that “neithermay testify”

concerningsuchconversations.Thereisnoprovisioninthestatutethatallowsonespouseto

waivetheprivilege.

ASSIGNMENT14CPART3

Thisquestioncanbeinterpretedintwoways.Canthewifevoluntarilytestifyconcerningthe

conversation if the husband and wife are legally separated at the time the testimony is

offered?Theanswer to thisquestion isaddressed in theanswer toAssignment14C,Part4,

below.

This question can also be interpreted as follows: Can the wife voluntarily testify

concerning the conversation if thehusbandandwife are legally separated at the time the

conversationtookplace?Theanswertothisquestiondependsonhow“duringthemarriage”

isinterpreted.Thestatuteprovidesthatneithermaytestifyastoanycommunicationmade

“during the marriage.” If the conversation took place while the parties were legally

separated,wasitmade“duringthemarriage”withinthemeaningofthestatute?Doesalegal

separationterminatetheprivilege?Arethepartiesnolongermarriedforthepurposesofthis

statutewhentheyarelegallyseparated?

Thestatutesmustbereviewedtodetermineifthereisadefinitionorothersectionthat

defines“duringthemarriage.”Intheabsenceofanapplicablestatutorysection,thecaselaw

must be researched for a court opinion that discusses whether a conversation that takes

place between a husband and wife while they are legally separated is made “during the


marriage”andthereforeprivilegedunderSection35-1-4.Intheabsenceofstatutoryorcase

law,itwouldbenecessarytorefertosecondaryauthority,suchasalegalencyclopedia.

ASSIGNMENT14CPART4

It is assumed that the conversation took place during themarriage. The question, then, is

whetherthestatuteonlyapplieswhilethepartiesaremarried.Inotherwords, iftheparties

are no longer married, may they testify about conversations that took place during the

marriage?

The statute states that neither party may testify as to conversations between them

“during themarriage.”Thestatutedoesnothaveasectionthatprovides that theprivilege

onlyapplieswhilethepartiesaremarried;thestatutedoesnotspecificallyrequirethatthe

partiesbemarriedat the timethetestimonytakesplace.Therefore, theprivilegeprobably

appliesevenwhenthepartiesarenolongermarried.

It is, however, possible that the statute has been interpreted differently. Therefore,

researchshouldbeconductedtodetermineifthelegislatureorthecourtshaveinterpreted

thestatutedifferently.

ASSIGNMENT14CPART5

The answer to this question depends upon what constitutes a marriage in the state. The

statuteprohibitstestimonyastocommunicationsoradmissionsmade“duringthemarriage.”

If state law recognizes common law marriages, and the husband and wife having lived

togetherfor20yearsconstitutesavalidcommonlawmarriage,thentheyaremarriedandthe

statuteapplies.Itwouldbenecessarytodeterminetheanswertothefollowingquestions.

1. Doesthestaterecognizecommonlawmarriages?

2. Whatisrequiredforacommonlawmarriage?

3. In addition to living together as husband and wife, have the parties met all the

requirementsforavalidcommonlawmarriage?

ASSIGNMENT14CPART6

Moreinformationisneededtoanswerthisquestion.Thestatuteprovidesthatahusbandor


wifemaytestifyconcerningconversationsmadeduringthemarriage inactionsbetweenthe

husbandandwife“wherethecustody,support,health,orwelfareoftheirchildrenorchildren

in either spouse’s custody or control is directly in issue.” Therefore, it is necessary to

determinewhatisinissueinthedivorceactioninordertoanswerthisquestion.Ifthecustody

andothermattersofthechildrenisdirectlyinissue,thentheconversationisadmissible.

ASSIGNMENT15A

18U.S.C.§117(2013)—Note:Instructorsshoulddetermineifanyupdateshaveoccurredandare

includedviapocketparts.

ASSIGNMENT15B

Penalty: “shallbe finedunder this title, imprisoned fora termofnotmore than5years,or

both, except that if substantial bodily injury results from violation under this section, the

offendershallbeimprisonedforatermofnotmorethan10years.”

ASSIGNMENT15CInthissection,theterm‘‘domesticassault’’meansanassaultcommittedbyacurrentorformer

spouse,parent,child,orguardianofthevictim,byapersonwithwhomthevictimsharesachild

incommon,byapersonwhoiscohabitatingwithorhascohabitatedwiththevictimasa

spouse,parent,child,orguardian,orbyapersonsimilarlysituatedtoaspouse,parent,child,or

guardianofthevictim.

ASSIGNMENT16A

§212.52Publicinvolvement.

ASSIGNMENT16B

Thepublicshallbeallowedtoparticipate in thedesignationofNationalForestSystemroads,

National Forest System trails, and areas on National Forest System lands and revising those

designations pursuant to this subpart. Advance notice shall be given to allow for public

comment,consistentwithagencyproceduresundertheNationalEnvironmentalPolicyAct,on

proposed designations and revisions. Public notice with no further public involvement is

sufficient if a National Forest or Ranger District hasmade previous administrative decisions,

underotherauthoritiesandincludingpublicinvolvement,whichrestrictmotorvehicleuseover


theentireNationalForestorRangerDistricttodesignatedroutesandareas,andnochangeis

proposedtothesepreviousdecisionsanddesignations.

ASSIGNMENT16C

Absenceofpublicinvolvementintemporary,emergencyclosures—

(1)General.Nothinginthissectionshallalterorlimittheauthoritytoimplementtemporary,

emergencyclosurespursuantto36CFRpart261,subpartB,withoutadvancepublicnoticeto

provideshort-termresourceprotectionortoprotectpublichealthandsafety.

(2)Temporary,emergencyclosuresbasedonadeterminationofconsiderableadverse

effects.IftheresponsibleofficialdeterminesthatmotorvehicleuseonaNationalForest

SystemroadorNationalForestSystemtrailorinanareaonNationalForestSystemlandsis

directlycausingorwilldirectlycauseconsiderableadverseeffectsonpublicsafetyorsoil,

vegetation,wildlife,wildlifehabitat,orculturalresourcesassociatedwiththatroad,trail,or

area,theresponsibleofficialshallimmediatelyclosethatroad,trail,orareatomotorvehicle

useuntiltheofficialdeterminesthatsuchadverseeffectshavebeenmitigatedoreliminated

andthatmeasureshavebeenimplementedtopreventfuturerecurrence.Theresponsible

officialshallprovidepublicnoticeoftheclosurepursuantto36CFR261.51,includingreasons

fortheclosureandtheestimateddurationoftheclosure,assoonaspracticablefollowing

theclosure.

MindTapSupplementaryExercises:AnswersASSIGNMENT1

Theanswertothisassignmentwilldependonstatelaw.

ASSIGNMENT2

TheTruthinLendingAct,15U.S.C.A.§1601etseq.

ASSIGNMENT3

20U.S.C.A.§1070D-31etseq.FoundintheUSCAIndexunderCOLLEGESANDUNIVERSITIES—

RobertC.ByrdHonorsScholarshipProgram.


ASSIGNMENT4

18U.S.C.A.§3584establisheslimitationsonconsecutivesentences.FoundintheUSCAIndex

underCRIMESANDOFFENSES—Consecutivesentences,limitations.

ASSIGNMENT5

Instructor’sNote:Inordertoproperlycompletethisassignment,studentsshouldlookupthe

termholographicinalawdictionary.

ASSIGNMENT5A

Thestatuteappliestowrittenwills,includingholographicwills,whicharewillshandwrittenby

testators.

ASSIGNMENT5B

Thewitnessingrequirementsaresetforthin§15-11-502(1)(c).Thissectionprovidesthattwo

individualsmust sign thewill prior toor after the testator’sdeath. Theymust signwithina

reasonable time after they witness, in the conscious presence of the testator, either the

signingof thewill or the testator’s acknowledgmentofhis signatureoracknowledgmentof

the will. Section 15-11-1-502(2) provides that a holographic will does not have to be

witnessed.

ASSIGNMENT5C

Aholographicwillisvalidifthesignatureandmaterialportionsofthewillareinthetestator’s

handwriting.

ASSIGNMENT5DPART1

In order to determine if the will is valid under Subsection (1) of the statute, additional

information is necessary. Subsection (1)(c) provides that the witnesses must sign within a

reasonable time after theywitnessed, in the conscious presence of the testator, either the

testator signing the will or the testator’s acknowledgment of that signature or

acknowledgmentofthewill.ThewitnessesdidnotseeJoansignthewill;theywitnesseditthe

nextday.However,thetestatormayhaveacknowledgedhersignatureoracknowledgedthe

willthenextdaywhenthewitnessessawit.Ifthisoccurred,thenunderSubsection(1)(c),the

willwouldhavebeenvalidlywitnessed.Therefore,thisadditionalinformationisnecessaryto

determinewhetherthewillisvalid.


ASSIGNMENT5DPART2

Additional facts are needed to answer this question. The facts state that Joan wrote and

signed the will. Did she handwrite it or type it? A holographic will is a will written by the

testatorinhisorherownhand.Assumingthesignatureandmaterialportionsofthewillare

written in Joan’s handwriting, then thewill is valid under Subsection (2) of the statute and

doesnotrequirewitnessing.

ASSIGNMENT6

Theanswertothisassignmentwilldependonstatelaw.

ASSIGNMENT7A

Section18-732,Burglary—Elements

1. Apersonknowingly(thatis,intentionally)

2. entersunlawfullyorremainsunlawfullyafteralawfulorunlawfulentry

3. inabuildingoroccupiedstructure

4. withintenttocommitacrimeinthebuildingorstructure

5. againstanotherpersonorproperty.

Section18-760,Robbery—Elements

1. Apersonknowingly(thatis,intentionally),

2. takesanythingofvalue

3. fromthepersonorpresenceofanother

4. byuseofforce,threats,orintimidation.

Section18-773,Larceny—Elements

1. Apersonwrongfullytakes,obtains,orwithholds,byanymeans,

2. fromthepossessionoftheowneroranyotherperson

3. money,personalproperty,orarticleofvalueofanykind,

4. with intent permanently to deprive another person of the use and benefit of the

property.


ASSIGNMENT7B

Larryhascommitted larcenybecausealloftheelementsofthesectionon larcenyhavebeen

met:

1. WhenLarryabscondedwithDenise’sshoppingbag,hewrongfullytookorobtainedit.

2. Larrytookorobtainedtheshoppingbagfromtheowner,Denise.

3. It must be assumed that the bag itself was, or contained, “personal property, or

articleofvalue.”

4. ItmustbeassumedthatwhenLarryabscondedwiththebag,heintendedtokeepit.

Larryhasnotcommittedburglarybecausetherewasnounlawfulentryofabuildingwith

theintenttocommitacrime.Hehasnotcommittedrobberybecausehedidnotuseforce,

threats,orintimidation.

ASSIGNMENT7C

Larryhascommittedboth robberyand larcenybecause theelementsofboth statutes

havebeenmet.

Robbery

1. Larryintentionallygrabbedthelady’shandbagandstruggledwithher.

2. Ahandbagissomethingofvalue.

3. Larrytookthehandbagfromanotherperson,theladywhoownedit.

4. Larry used force when he struggled with the lady for her

handbag.

Larceny

1. Larrywrongfullytookthehandbagwhenhegrabbeditasheranby.

2. Larrytookthehandbagfromthepossessionoftheowner.

3. Ahandbagispersonalproperty.

4. It must be assumed that when Larry absconded with the handbag, he

intendedtokeepit.


Larryhasnotcommittedburglarybecausethereisnounlawfulentryofabuildingwith

theintenttocommitacrime.

ASSIGNMENT7D

Dependingonthecourt’sinterpretationofthestatute,Mikehasprobablycommittedlarceny

becausealloftheelementsofthesectiononlarcenyhavebeenmet.Notethediscussionof

thefourthelementbelow.

1. When Mike refused to pay the bill, he acted wrongfully by withholding from the

bartendermoneydueforthetab.

2. Mikewithheldpaymentfromthebartender,thepersonwhowastheownerorother

personentitledtomoneydueforthetab.

3. Itmustbeassumedthatthetabismoney.

4. It must be assumed that when Mike refused to pay the tab and left the bar, he

intendedtoneverpayit.Ifheintendedtopaythetabthenextday,thentheissueis

notsoclear.IfthatwasMike’sintention,thencaselawwouldneedtobeconsultedto

determine how the courts interpret the statute. The courts may interpret

“permanently deprive” to mean that one intends to permanently deprive another

personwhenheorsherefusestopaywhenpaymentisdemanded.Inthatcase,Mike,

evenifheintendedtopaythenextday,wouldstillhave“permanentlydeprived”the

bartenderofthemoneydue.

Mikehasnotcommittedburglarybecausethereisnounlawfulentryofabuildingwith

the intent to commit a crime. He has not committed robbery because he did not take

anything of value from the bartender by use of force, threats, or intimidation; he simply

withheldsomethingofvalue—herefusedtopay.Histhreatstothebartenderdonotturnhis

refusaltopayintothecrimeofrobbery.

ASSIGNMENT7E

Dependingon the interpretationof the statutes,Donhasprobably committedburglaryand

larcenybecausealloftheelementsofthesectionsonburglaryandlarcenyhavebeenmet.


Burglary

1. Donintentionallyenteredtheschoolbus.

2. ItmustbeassumedthatDonenteredunlawfullysinceheenteredthebuswhen

thefamilywasawayandtherearenofactsindicatingthathewasinvitedintothe

bus.

3. Thebuswasoccupiedbythefamily.Thestatutedoesnotrequirethattheintruder

knowthatthestructureisoccupied.Ifthestatutewereinterpretedbythecourts

torequirethatthe individualknewthestructurewasoccupied,andDondidnot

knowitwasoccupiedwhenheentered,thenhedidnotcommitburglary.

4. It must be assumed that Don went into the bus searching for food that he

intendedtotake.Althoughhemaynothavethoughtthattakingfoodisacrime,

takingfood,liketakinganythingelseofvalueinthissituation,isacrime.

5. Dontookproperty(thefood)belongingtothe

family.

Larceny

1. Donwrongfullytookthefood.

2. Dontookitfromthepossessionoftheowner.

3. Foodispersonalproperty.

4. ItmustbeassumedthatwhenDontookthefood,hedidnotintendtogiveit

back.Donhasnotcommittedrobbery;hedidnotuseforce,threats,orintimidation.

ASSIGNMENT8

Thefollowingaretheelementsoftheft:

1. Apersonknowingly(withintent—notaccidentallyorinadvertently)

2. obtains(acquirespossession)orexercisescontrolover

3. anythingofvalue

4. ofanother

5. withoutauthorization,orbythreatordeception.


ASSIGNMENT9

ThefollowingaretheelementsofCriminalCodeSection18-5-1ComputerCrime:

1. Apersonknowingly(withintent—notaccidentallyorinadvertently)

2. accesses:

a. acomputer,

b. computernetwork,or

c. computersystemoranypartthereof

3. a.withoutauthorization,orexceedsauthorizedaccess;or

b. forthepurposeofexecutinganyschemetodefraud;or

c. tocommittheft;or

d. to alter, damage, interrupt the proper functioning of any computer, computer

network,orcomputersystem.

ASSIGNMENT10

ThefollowingaretheelementsofCriminalCodeSection18-8-101MurderintheFirstDegree:

1. a. A person acts with deliberation (the death must follow the deliberation), and

intendstocausethedeathofapersonotherthanhimself

b.andcausesthedeathofthatpersonoranotherperson,or

2. a.Apersonactingalone,orwithoneormorepersons,

b. commits or attempts to commit arson, robbery, burglary, kidnapping, sexual

assault,and

c. inthecourseofthecrime,

d. thedeathofapersoniscausedbyanyone.

ThefollowingaretheelementsofSection18-8-102MurderintheSecondDegree:

1. Apersonknowingly(notaccidentallyorinadvertently)

2. causes

3. thedeathofaperson.


ASSIGNMENT11A

Itisarguableinthissituationthateithermurderinthefirstorseconddegreeapplies.

Murderinthefirstdegree:

a. Taylorwasactingalone.

b. Taylorwas committing or attempting to commit burglary—hewas entering the

dwellingofanothertoharmhim.

Instructor’s Note:Burglary is usually defined as breaking and entering the dwelling

houseofanotherwiththeintenttocommitafelonytherein.

c. Taylorclubbedtherefereeduringtheburglary.

d. TherefereediedasaresultofTaylorclubbinghimduringtheburglary.

Murderintheseconddegree:

a. Taylorintentionallyenteredthehouseandclubbedthereferee.

b. Taylor’sactofclubbingtherefereecausedthereferee’sdeath.

c. Therefereedied.

ASSIGNMENT11B

Inthissituation,Michelleisguiltyofmurderinthefirstdegree:

a. Michellewasactingwithanotherperson.

b. Michellewascommittingorattemptingtocommitrobberyoftheconveniencestore.

c. Thegunwasdroppedandwentoffduringtherobbery.

d. Thestoreemployeediedasaresultofgungoingoffandhittingthestoreemployee.

Instructor’sNote:Thestatuteonlyrequiresthatanyonecausesthedeath.Therefore,itdoes

notmatterthatMichelledidnotdropthegun.Inaddition,thestatuteonlyrequiresthatthe

deathiscausedinthecourseofthecrime.Itdoesnotrequireanintentionalact.Therefore,

thatfactthatthegunwasaccidentallydroppedandwentoffdoesnotmatter.

ASSIGNMENT11C

Inthissituation,Hammillisguiltyofmurderinthefirstdegree:


a. Hammillactedwithdeliberation—heplannedandintendedtokillaman.

b. Hammill’s actions caused the death of a person—the handgun fired and killed a

passerby.

c. FollowingHammill’splanandintenttokillaman,apersondied.

Instructor’sNote:ThestatutedoesnotrequirethatthepersonthatHammillintendedtokill

wastheonewhodied.Itonlyrequiresthatthatpersonoranotherpersondie. Inthiscase,

anotherpersondied.

ASSIGNMENT12

Arloviolatedthecomputercrimestatute:

1. ArlointentionallygotonthecomputerwhenJasonwasgone.

2. Arloaccessedthecomputerwhenhegotonandstartedlookingthroughthefiles.

3. Arlowas not authorized to access the computer. Jason specifically told Arlo not to

touchanything.ArlocouldarguethathethoughtthatJasonmeantthatArloshould

nottouchanythingelse intheroomandthatsincetheywereplayinggamesonthe

computer,itwasOKforhimtotouchthecomputer.Thisisaweakargumentbecause

Arlowasn’tplayingagameonthecomputer,hewasgoingthroughfiles.Inaddition,

“Don’ttouchanything”isclear;thecomputeris“anything.”

ASSIGNMENT13

TheDyerActappliestothetheftandtransportationofmotorvehiclesacrossaU.S.borderora

stateline.Thecitationis18U.S.C.A.§2313.Thepenaltyforviolatingtheactisafineunderthe

actorimprisonmentofnotmorethan10yearsorboth.Theactislocatedbylookingforthe

DyerActinthepopularnametableoftheUSCA.

ASSIGNMENT14

IntheUSCStableofcontents,lookunderCopyrights,thenDurationofCopyrights.Ingeneral,

the“copyrightforaworkcreatedonorafterJanuary1,1978,subsistsfromitscreationand..

.enduresforatermconsistingofthelifeoftheauthorand70yearsaftertheauthor’sdeath.”

Thecitationis17U.S.C.S.§302.


MindTapStudyQuestions:Answers

1. Laws passed by Congress or state legislatures are generally called acts or statutes.

Thisbodyoflawiscommonlyreferredtoasstatutorylaw.

2. Statutory analysis is theprocess of determining if a statute applies, how it applies,

andtheeffectofitsapplication.

3. Scopesectionsstatewhatisspecificallycoveredandnotcoveredbyastatute.

4. Statutoryannotationsarereferencestovarioussourcesofinformationrelatedtothe

section.Theyfollowthestatutorysection.

5. Six types of statutory sections not included in the example in the text are sections

thatdothefollowing:

1. Statewhichadministrativeagencyisresponsibleforadministeringtheact

2. Incorporatebyreferencesectionsofotherstatutes

3. Limittheapplicationofthestatutethroughexceptions

4. Establishwhenthestatutetakeseffect

5. Repealotherstatutes

6. State that the statute is cumulative to the case lawand thatother remedies still

exist

6. Five types of reference information thatmay follow a section of a statute are the

following:

1. Thehistoryofthesection,includingdatesofamendment

2. Officialcommentsonthesection

3. Cross-referencestootherrelatedstatutes

4. Library references/research guides—references to other sources that may be

usefulwhenanalyzingthestatute,suchasbooksanddigestkeynumbers

5. Notes todecisions—thenames, citations, and summariesof key courtdecisions

thathavediscussed,analyzed,orinterpretedthestatute

7. Statutorysupplementsarelocatedimmediatelyfollowingthestatueorinaseparate

sectionorpamphlet.


8. The full text of each law is published separately by the U.S. Government Printing

Officeandisreferredtoasasliplaw.

9. The names of the two commercial publications of theUnited States Code are the

UnitedStatesCodeAnnotatedandtheUnitedStatesCodeService.

10. After you have defined your search as concisely as possible, the following are the

threemainwaystoapproachlocatingastatute:

a. Generalindex

b. Titletableofcontents

c. Popularnametable

11. Rule 1.1 of the American Bar Association’s Model Rules of Professional Conduct

requiresthataclientbeprovidedcompetentrepresentation.Rule1.3providesthata

clientberepresentedwithdiligenceandpromptness.

12. Administrativelawisthebodyoflawthatresultsfromtherulesandregulationsand

thecourtopinionsinterpretingthem.

13. The Federal Rules of Civil andCriminal Procedure are included in theUnited States

Code.

14. Local rules are court rules specific to the court andgenerally govern administrative

matters,suchasthesizeofpapersaccepted,thenumberofcopiesofpleadingsthat

mustbefiledwiththeoriginal,howtofilebyfacsimiletransmission,andsoon.

15. The three-step approach recommended for analyzing a legal problem governed by

statutorylawisasfollows:

STEP1:Determineifthestatuteapplies.

STEP2:Analyzethestatute.

STEP3:Applythestatutetothelegalproblemorissue.

16. Thetwoformatsthatmaybeusedtoapplyormatchthefactsoftheclient’scaseto

theelementsofastatutearethechartornarrativesummaryformat.

17. Legislativehistoryistherecordofthelegislationduringtheenactmentprocessbefore

itbecamelaw.


18. The plain meaning rule governs when the canons of construction apply. If the

meaning isclearon its face,there isnoroomfor interpretationandacourtwillnot

applythecanonsofconstruction.

19. Legislativehistorymaybeofassistancewheninterpretingastatuteinhelpingidentify

whyanambiguoustermwasusedandwhatmeaningthelegislature intended;what

the legislature intended the statute to accomplish; and the general purpose of the

legislation.

20. Canons of construction are rules and guidelines the courts use when interpreting

statutes.

21. Officialversusunofficialcodes.Printversuselectronicdatabases.Sectionsymboland

multiplesections.Shortcitationformat.

chapter 3 constitutions, statutes, administrative law…

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