Ross-Blakley Law Library Blog

The Declaration of Independence

Amy Levine — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:54:37 +0000

It is almost time for the annual reading of the Declaration of Independence in the Levine household. Every 4th of July in memory has been marked by this momentous occasion. Complaints and sighs by the kids have gradually waned over the years and have gradually been replaced by genuine interest in government and the scholars in our united past. If you would like to start your own tradition or just want to read the text of the Declaration of Independence there are numerous sources on the internet. Here are some links:

The National Archives
The Library of Congress
Thomas Jefferson

Congress remembers Michael Jackson

Amy Levine — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:32:11 +0000

The United States House of Representatives observed a moment of silence in memory of Michael Jackson. The commemoration was lead by Representatives Diane Watson and Jesse Jackson, Jr. You can read the transcript of the moment’s introduction in the Congressional Record dated June 26, 2009.

United States v. Bernard L. Madoff

Amy Levine — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:24:33 +0000

The Department of Justice has a page devoted to the Bernard Madoff case. The page includes links to court documents in the case, from the criminal complaint to the transcript of Mr. Madoff’s sentencing which took place June 29, 2009.

Casemaker vs. Fastcase

Amy Levine — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 21:24:04 +0000

If you ever wondered about the differences between Casemaker and Fastcase, Robert Ambrogi has done all the work for you. On the Law and Technology News website Mr. Ambrogi compares the two legal research services. He used both and contrasted their similarities, differences and faults. He looked at a number of features including the ease of conducting a search, how the service displays results, and their citator functions. The article is available on the Law Technology News website. Bar associations have been offering these legal research services as a benefit of membership. The State Bar of Arizona offers Fastcase free to its members.

Supreme Court rules in Ricci v. DeStefano

Amy Levine — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:34:35 +0000

The U.S. Supreme Court reversed the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals in the case of Ricci v. DeStefano. The decision may have broad political implications for U.S. Supreme Court nominee Judge Sotomayor since she sat on the panel that previously decided in favor of the City of New Haven, Connecticut. In its reversal of the case, the Supreme Court decided that the city engaged in discrimination against white firefighters who scored higher than black firefighters on a promotion exam by throwing out the results in order to avoid a possible suit by the black firefighters. You can read the slip opinion of the Ricci case online at the Supreme Court’s website or by clicking on the link.

Fourth of July Holiday Hours

Carrie — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:22:19 +0000

The Law Library will be closed on Friday, July 3 and Saturday, July 4 in observance of Independence Day.

Have a safe and happy 4th of July!

CRS Report on Judge Sotomayor

Amy Levine — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 18:31:32 +0000

In today’s edition of The National Law Journal, columnist Tony Mouro summarizes a report by the Congressional Research Service (CRS) on the opinions of Judge Sotomayor. You can read his article and the entire 55 page CRS report online.

Safford Unified School District #1 v. Redding

Amy Levine — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 18:11:10 +0000

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled today on a case that originated in Arizona. The court held that the 4th amendment rights of 13 year old student Savana Redding were violated when she was subjected to a strip search at school. However, the court also held that the school administrators were not liable for violating those rights.

Read the slip opinion published on the court’s website.

Princess is Law Dog of the Week

Amy Levine — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 19:17:20 +0000

10 1/2 year old Princess is our Law Dog of the Week

Princess lives in Cave Creek with her parents, Lynn and Tom, friends of Reference Librarian Amy Levine. Apparently, she had a “ruff” night studying for the bar.

Arizona Lawmakers Agree to Put on Ballot a Proposed Ban on Affirmative-Action Preferences

Serene — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 20:21:43 +0000

Arizona is set to become the first state in which a proposed ban on affirmative-action preferences will be put on the ballot by the legislature, rather than through petitions submitted by voters. Read the article.