Question 2(3 points)

Read the case.Answer the questions with a YES or NO answer.

The town of Homesdale passes an ordinance that requires all retail establishments to remain closed on Christmas Day.Several groups sued, arguing that the ordinance is unconstitutional.

Question 1: Does the ordinance violate the First Amendment of the Constitution?

Question 2:Does the ordinance violate the full faith and credit clause of the Constitution?

Question 3:Would your answer to either of the previous two questions be different if you learned that over 95 percent of Homesdale's population approves of this ordinance?

Question 3(3 points)

The Town of Ericton is considering passing an ordinance that would severely restrict the possession and carrying of firearms.Answer the questions that follow with Yes or No.

Question 1:May the ordinance prohibits the possession of firearms by felons?

Question 2:May the ordinance prohibits the possession of firearms by persons who are mentally ill?

Question 3:May the ordinance prohibits the carrying of firearms in sensitive places, such as government buildings and schools?

Question 4(3 points)

In an effort to stem the rising usage of illegal drugs, the town of Zhemville passes an ordinance that mandates that all people found guilty of possessing illegal drugs be flogged (beat with a whip or stick)Yes.

Question 1:Does the ordinance violate the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution?

Question 2:Does the ordinance violate the commerce clause of the Constitution?

Question 3:Would the ordinance violate the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution if the punishment applied only to people selling, rather than simply possessing, illegal drugs?

Question 5(5 points)

Directions:Study each of the following cases carefully. Briefly state the principle of law and your decision.

Katz was convicted in federal court under an indictment charging him with transmitting wagering information by telephone from Los Angeles to Miami and Boston, in violation of a federal statute prohibiting gambling. At the trial, the federal prosecutor was permitted, over the objections of Katz's attorney, to introduce evidence of Katz's telephone conversations. These telephone conversations had been overheard by FBI agents who had attached an electronic listening and recording device to the outside of the public telephone booth from which Katz had placed his calls. Did the FBI violate the Second Amendment by listening to Katz's telephone conversations? [Katz v. United States,389 US 347 (California)]

What is the Principle of Law?

What is your decision?

Question 6 (5 points)

Study each of the following cases carefully. Briefly state the principle of law and your decision.

While in the custody of the New Castle Youth Development Center (YDC), 17-year-old Betts suffered a tragic spinal cord injury while attempting to make a tackle during a football game. Following the injury, Betts sued YDC and several of its staff members, claiming that his injury resulted from a violation of his Eighth Amendment rights. Was Betts subjected to cruel and unusual punishment while playing football? [Betts v. New Castle Youth Development Center,2009 U.S. District Court (Pennsylvania)]Page 84

Principle of Law:

Decision:

Question 7(5 points)

Study each of the following cases carefully. Briefly state the principle of law and your decision.

The IRS filed a lawsuit against Stern to collect unpaid income taxes, penalties, and interest that had amassed over 10 years. In response, Stern petitioned the court to disallow the IRS from collecting his tax debt, arguing that discrepancies existed between the Constitution and certain Supreme Court cases. Was Stern required to pay federal income taxes pursuant to the Sixteenth Amendment? [In Re: Peter Kay Stern, Petitioner,114 F.3d 1177 (North Carolina)]

Principle of Law:

Decision: