The problem of arrests not ending in conviction is described in terms of its magnitude and costs. Three major aspects of the role of the police in influencing what happens after arrest are studied. Factors such as tangible evidence and witnesses are influenced by the time between the offense and the arrest. The characteristics of the officers…

The issue of the proper role of government in the censorship of sexually explicit material is analyzed in this article from a symbolic interactionist view of communication and traditional principles of constitutional liberty. The paper focuses on the Supreme Court's adjudication of obscenity cases and proposes a set of principles consistent with…

The concept of sovereign immunity in English law originated in both early canon law and the feudal system, became formalized in case law under King Henry II, and as the royal prerogative, became established into statutory law under King Henry VIII. This concept of governmental immunity was adopted by the states when the union was founded. The case…

The possibility that judges' expectancy effects may adversely affect the results of jury trials is a problem that needs careful theoretical analysis and innovative methods of resolution. Traditional efforts by the legal community to counteract the threat of verbal/nonverbal bias by judges include the "Code of Judicial Conduct," curative…

THE 1954 SUPREME COURT DECISION IN "BROWN VERSUS BOARD OF EDUCATION," DECLARING RACIAL SEGREGATION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS DISCRIMINATORY AND IN VIOLATION OF THE EQUAL PROTECTION CLAUSE OF THE FOURTEENTH AMENDMENT, IS A LANDMARK IN AMERICAN LEGAL AND POLITICAL HISTORY. IT IS INFERRED FROM THE 1954 DECISION THAT THE RIGHT TO BE FREE FROM…

In recent years a surge of conflicting laws and regulations have emanated from Congress, federal agencies, and the courts concerning the right of individuals and organizations to obtain what heretofore had been considered private information and the right of individuals and organizations to maintain the privacy of such information. To answer the…

Free speech for the public employee is much more limited than free speech in the society at large. The courts have been unwilling to extend free speech protection carte blanche and have instead cautiously attempted to define what speech would be allowed or prohibited in public organizations. This approach is illustrated in four areas of court…

Legal issues concerning sexual harassment on the job are considered to aid administrators of colleges and universities. The concept of sexual harassment is examined from a historical perspective, and the development of legal thought and solutions for harassment in employment settings is delineated. The nature and extent of harassment have been…

A number of court cases involving public disclosure of private information are described in this paper to point to historical trends involving the issue of privacy and to illustrate some of the problems with all aspects of the issue. After noting the conflict between the principle of individual privacy and the principle of free disclosure of…

This pamphlet makes a case for performance evaluation of educational personnel as the primary method for improving schools. The case is developed through commentary, examples, and statements of educators familiar with performance evaluation. The paper examines current issues related to the evaluation of educational personnel such as the purpose of…

Research points to two major deficits in the juvenile offender: behavioral (minimal social adaptive skills) and educational (learning disabilities). A private hospitalization treatment program for adolescents is described which combines a behavioral and educational approach to the juvenile offender. A case study illustrates how a…

IN "OBSCENITY--SOME PROBLEMS OF VALUES AND THE USE OF EXPERTS," JOHN P. FRAN, OUTLINES THE LEGAL BASIS FOR DETERMINING OBSCENITY AND ANALYZES THE FUNCTION OF EXPERTS IN SUCH A DETERMINATION. AN EXPERIMENT IS DESCRIBED IN WHICH FOUR PROFESSORS OF LITERATURE AND TWO PSYCHOLOGISTS WERE ASKED TO READ SELECTED WORKS AND TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT THE…

Legal issues in teacher preparation and certification are discussed from three perspectives of relevance to educators. First, the legal responsibilities of preservice and inservice teachers in relation to pupils and other participants in the school setting are scrutinized and the controversies surrounding collective negotiations, corporal…

The primary objective of this study is to aid policy makers - state and federal officials, accreditation officials, and university administrators - in making decisions concerning the regulation of postsecondary external degree programs. The purpose of this project is to identify the legal and regulatory issues that the operation of these programs…

This is the latest edition of a handbook designed to assist school administrators in preventing and dealing with school disruptions and certain related legal matters. Because the handbook was prepared specifically for use by administrators in the Los Angeles Unified School District, it is based on laws and regulations that may not apply elsewhere.…