Depressive symptomatology, loneliness and hopelessness are dominant issues among elderly Africans. Yet, it is commonly assumed, and, perhaps, agreed that the elderly African should physically and socially remain active and continue to be the custodian of the people's traditional norms and values reflective of the traditional social transfers for…

The clash between the First and Sixth Amendments continues to be a major concern for both journalists and the courts. This paper reviews the major cases in the evolution of the "fair trial/free press" controversy from the "Irvin vs. Dowd" decision in 1961 to the Blackmun decision in 1975. The attempt is made to answer the…

In common law legal systems, the doctrine of precedent directs appellate judges to search out legal rules articulated in previous cases similar to the present case before making their decision. Although this principle is universally accepted, the extent to which legal rules determine decisions varies, since the rule element and judicial discretion…

Since, in most cases, sequestration is no longer an option for judges to insure an impartial jury, judicial restraints or suppression orders directed at trial participants have become increasingly attractive. The problem is that the press has a desire to disseminate information about the judicial process to the public. Silence orders prohibiting…

This paper explores the small claims court as an alternative forum for the instruction of argumentation and suggests a possible format of a course utilizing such a concept. The first section of the paper offers a short history of the small claims court. The second section contains a course syllabus outlining the format of an argumentation course…

All 199 circuit court judges in Wisconsin were surveyed to explore the relationship between judges and the news media, to determine how judges communicate with the public through the news media, and to examine the influence of individual, organizational, and institutional variables on judges' use of the news media as a link with the public.…

To consider one aspect of workplace freedom of speech--the question of authority versus freedom, this paper examines the first amendment protections of government workers. The paper looks at freedom of speech rights by using two theoretical frameworks (the natural rights view and the law and economics view) to analyze Supreme Court decisions on…

Three changes in trial procedure are proposed to minimize the effects of individual juror bias and those biases that are artifically induced by lawyers. Since certain personality types are likely to maintain whatever prejudices they bring to court, no one should be exempted from jury duty unless he is mentally retarded or physically incapacitated…

Although a relatively new area of scientific study, theory and research on nonverbal communication in the courtroom has produced important findings for students and practitioners in five key areas: voire dire and jury analysis; opening and closing statements; client demeanor and direct examination; cross-examination; and judge demeanor and…

In the 1978 "FCC v. Pacifica Foundation" ruling, the United States Supreme Court considered the authority of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to regulate indecent radio programing, finding that the public has a constitutionally protected interest in being protected against objectionable programing. The FCC suit, arising out of…

In 1947 Nebraska established a unique Court of Industrial Relations to resolve disputes between government agencies and public employees. The court's five part-time judges are appointed by the governor to six-year terms, and the court's operating costs are covered in the state budget. Even so, costs to litigants may be higher than necessary. The…

Present court procedures and the lack of judge-lawyer-juror communication do little to encourage sound verdicts. To improve communication with the jury, a four part trial communication process including pre-service juror orientation training, pre-jury instructions, main jury instructions, and two-way trial communication is suggested. Pre-service…

For both translators and interpreters, language proficiency is only the starting point for professional work. The equivalence of both meaning and style are necessary for faithful translation. The legal interpreter or translator must understand the complex characteristics and style of legal language. Court interpreting is a relatively young…

The literature and research about the courtroom use of videotape recordings and similar technology (such as the picturephone and closed circuit television) reveal conflicting opinions about the efficacy of using such technology in the courts. The major criticism seems to be about recording the testimony of witnesses, editing objectionable…

A presentation by law students reviews litigation and legislation concerning the rights of handicapped children to appropriate education. Separate sections deal with the Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the Mills v. D.C. Board of Education suits. The implementation status of the Mills decision is…