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LS/PLS 290 Contemporary Legal Issues

Section Number 32577 32232

Catalog Description:

Contemporary legal issues will be explored by leading experts in the field via TV broadcasts. Seminars will be conducted for the purpose of further developing legal issues and completing a research project. Students will be encouraged to submit research projects to AAFPE for publication in the American Association for Paralegal Education Law Journal. This capstone course focuses on advanced legal writing, analysis, and research. Closed Captioned

Instructor:

Angelo Corpora

Class Meetings:

11:00am-12:50pm
On the following Saturdays: Jan. 20; Feb. 3, 24; Mar. 10, 31; Apr. 21; May 5
Room B-4

Broadcast Days and Times:

Times and days for Cox Cable North -Channel 16 and Time Warner -Channel 16 (Adelphia Cable North-Channel 67):
Sunday 9:00-9:30am OR Wednesday 10:00-10:30pm OR Friday 9:00-9:30am

Times and days for all of San Diego County on Cox Cable North and South- Channel 16; Time Warner-Channel 16; (Adelpia Channel 67); Julian-Channel 4; and Coronado Shores-Channel 46:
Sunday 9:00-9:30am

Viewing Options

If this course does not air in your area or you don't have cable you have two options. The first option is you can check out video tapes from the Learning Resource Center on the San Marcos Main Campus Library or the Escondido, Fallbrook, Ramona or Mt Carmel sites. The second option is watching the lessons online. All of our classes are video streamed and available for viewing on the course's Blackboard website (see below about Blackboard log in instructions).

Class Outline

Course materials are available the Friday prior to when classes begin. Access your course outline, assignments, handouts and announcements, as well as view video lessons in Blackboard. Log in Blackboard instructions:

USERNAME: STUDENT ID Number
PASSWORD: Palomar eServices Password
(Unless you are a returning student and previously changed your password)

To log in go to: http://www.palomar.edu/pconline/

Textbook and Other Required Materials:

The Little Book on Legal Writing, 2nd Edition, Dworsky

Video Lesson Titles:

805) Mental Health and the Law
Guest Charles Sevilla, Attorney-at-Law, discusses mental health and the criminal justice system; specifically the 1984 Insanity Defense Reform Act, 18 U.S.C. 17, the prison system's involvement, legal tests for criminal responsibility (M'Naughten rule 8 Eng. Rep. 718 (1843), and the difference between people who are insane, and those who are simply criminals. California law regarding diminished capacity is also discussed.

806) Privacy Rights and the Law
Attorney Robert Levin discusses privacy rights within the workplace, and how employers are monitoring their employees; email, phone conversations, and video surveillance. The Hewlett-Packard privacy scandal is brought up, as the lawsuit against the company was settled the same day Contemporary Legal Issues was taped. Pretexting and anti-hacking in California is also discussed.

801) Bar Association of Northern San Diego County, Celebrating 50 Years
Guests Mary Cataldo, Attorney-at-Law, and James Lund, President of the Bar Association of Northern San Diego County, discuss the history and purpose of the bar, as well as its role within the community and how it benefits the citizens of North County, San Diego.

802) Legal Education, A Dean's Perspective
Dean Steven Smith joins the discussion on the history of legal education and the role of the American Bar Association as a leader in this area. The status of legal education in the United States and the training behind today's attorneys is discussed. Mr. Smith describes the California Western School of Law, specifically the special programs; Podcast, Criminal Defense, and the California Innocence Project. The future of legal education is also mentioned.

803) Small Claims Court: Mediation of Small Claims
A panel discusses the background of the Small Claims Court, the process of bringing a small claim, and the role of the Small Claims Advisor. The services of North County Lifeline are explained, as well as dispute resolution programs and mediation.

804) Identity Theft
Deputy District Attorney Keith Burt talks about the background and facts of identity theft, and how extensive the effects are in California. The four classifications of identity theft are discussed, as well as the consequences of these types of theft for individuals and businesses. Mr. Burt also discusses his project, CATCH, in detail and how it is responding to the identity theft crisis. Tips for preventing identity theft are also mentioned.

701) Capital Punishment, An Evolving Standard
The focus is on the Supreme Courts decision to end capital punishment for juvenile offenders. In a 5 to 4 ruling the high court declared that it was unconstitutional to execute minors, concluding that the death penalty for minors is "cruel and unusual punishment". A distinguished panel will help you understand the rationale enunciated in this decision which further erodes the death penalty and discusses the 8th Amendment; "cruel and unusual punishment"; executions of minors and adults since 1976; controversy of Capital Punishment being available; and the application of an international standard to American Law. Guests are: Steven J Carroll, the Public Defender for San Diego County, and Professor Glenn Smith, who teaches Constitutional Law at California Western School of Law.

702) If it is Legal, Is it Ethical?
Enron, MCI, and Tyco have become household words, not because of their products or services, but rather because of their unethical conduct, setting new records in the annals of business: Enron, the 7th largest company, goes bankrupt. It is one of the largest bankruptcies ever recorded, devastating their employees, shareholders and community. MCI sets the record for the largest fraud in U. S. History, $11 Billion dollars, sending the CEO to jail. Tyco gets first prize for the biggest, most lavish birthday party paid for with company money. A distinguished panel of experts will help you understand the ethics of business. Guests are Chuck La Bella, Attorney-at-Law, and April Riel, a CPA and Certified Fraud Examiner.

703) The Terri Schiavo Case
After 15 years, in a persistent vegetative state, the controversies surrounding the death of Terri Schiavo before her death, remain controverted today, in what has been described as the longest and most litigated right to die case in U. S. History. Notwithstanding the dispute between her parents and husband, the courts and Congress, the law and theology, according to a recent poll, 80% of Americans believe that Terri Schiavo had a right to die, and that she should have been allowed to die with dignity. A distinguished panel of experts will help you understand the compelling issues which arose in this case. Guests are the Most Reverend, Salvatore Cordileone, Auxiliary Bishop of San Diego; Steven Smith, Dean, California Western School of Law; and Richard Sheridan, Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary, Scripps Health.

601) First Amendment Jurisprudence and Religion
A distinguished panel covers the background and history of the 1st Amendment; Jefferson's "Wall of separation" Religion as a fundamental right; the establishment clause; the "Lemon Test"; and how the court balances the state's interest; the balancing test used in 1st Amendment Jurisprudence; recent court challenges - i.e. the Girl Scout's and the Mt. Soledad cases; why the "Ten Commandments" removal from the Alabama Supreme Court is important; and is the "Pledge" advancing religion.

602) Immigration Law
The Consequences of Illegal Immigration
A panel discussion about the background and history of illegal immigration; the economic, political, and legal issues, absences of a clear policy; a Proposed Legislative Scheme to Solve the Mexican Immigration Problem, Bettwy, San Diego International Law Journal, USD, School of Law; President Bush's immigration plan, specifically how it will work, what is the projected cost and who pays; the possible impact on California as it relates to schools, hospitals, and driver licenses; how the new immigration policy impacts undocumented workers already in the U.S.; and how to deal with illegal aliens who already have deportation orders or warrants for their arrest - the "Clear Act".

604) Intellectual Property
Copyright and all that Jazz!
The panel guests cover the background and history of copyright law, the various rights and limitations relevant to copyrighted materials; a video clip of students discussing downloading music with a Contemporary Legal Issues producer; a typical college student thoughts about downloading music; what precipitated the government's recent indictment; rights of record companies and performers; "fair use" exception; and cutting edge new issues for copyright protection regarding the Internet.

606) A Cold Case
Criminal Law
A panel discussion about the background and history of the investigation; the victims; describes the circumstances relating to the murders, time, and place; describes who Federico Gonzalez was; the process that lead to the arrest of the defendant; the trial and description of the challenges of prosecuting a 20 year old murder; the role scientific evidence played in the conviction of Gonzalez; and the importance of bringing closure for the families of the victims, the police, prosecutor and society.

608) Same Sex Marriage
Domestic Law
A diverse panel discussion of the background and history of marriage - the legal and religious definition; the change in the definition of marriage bringing a catastrophic change to family and society; the percentage of gay Americans and why the issue of marriage is important to them; the support for gay marriages, unions and partnerships; benefits being available through a Civil Union or Domestic Partnership Law being sufficient in addressing the needs of the gay community; equal protection and equal marriage rights; and the impact on organized religion if same sex marriages are universally recognized.

501) Cyber Court, The Court of Next Resort
Cyber Law
This program discusses the background and history of Cybercourts; why there is a need for International Cybercourt; the jurisdictional concerns; minimum contacts rule and how it applies to Internet cases; how personal jurisdiction is established; and advantages and disadvantages of Cybercourt Central. Examples of disputes suitable for Cybercourt are provided. Another example discussed is the landmark case, Zippo Manufacturing Co. v. Zippo.com.

502) Mandatory Employment Arbitration Agreements
Employment Law
A panel discusses the background and history of Arbitration in Employment Law; specifically Federal Arbitration Act 1925 and California Arbitration Statute (1927, 1961); how Arbitration works: the advantages and disadvantages - time, cost, privacy, no jury trial, limited discovery and appeals; how an Arbitrator is selected; collective bargaining issues; union/management relationships; resolution of grievances/quid pro quo for a no-strike clause; the EEOC's position on mandatory arbitration agreements; SAIC's application model; and the validity of the agreements and the requirements to enforce arbitration agreements. One example given is Alexander v. Gardner-Denver.

503) The Right to Counsel
Constitutional Law
Guests are the Hon. Victor Ramirez, who just recently retired from the Superior Court; Richard Layon, a criminal defense attorney, and past president of the North County Bar Association; and Steven Carroll, the Public Defender for San Diego County. The distinguished panel will help with understanding what the 6th amendment right to counsel means - and does not mean. In the aftermath of the Westerfield trial, the defense team and Steven Feldman in particular, were vilified for their aggressive defense of David Westerfield, who now faces the death penalty for the murder of Danielle Van Dam.