legal comm final

What did Carter v. Canada (2015) establish?

Recognized the right to physician-assisted dying for competent adults with "grievous and irremediable" medical conditions.

What standard did Cruzan v. Missouri (1990) set for withdrawing life support?

Requires "clear and convincing evidence" of the patient’s prior wishes.

What is the difference between commission and omission in right-to-die cases?

Commission = actively causing death (illegal); omission = allowing natural death (legal).

Which U.S. case rejected a constitutional right to assisted suicide but allowed states to legislate it?

Washington v. Glucksberg (1997)

Which case upheld sodomy laws under rational basis review?

Bowers v. Hardwick (1986).

What precedent did Lawrence v. Texas (2003) overturn?

Overturned Bowers, ruling consensual sodomy is protected under the Due Process Clause.

What two constitutional clauses did Obergefell v. Hodges (2015) use to legalize same-sex marriage?

Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses (14th Amendment).

How did Bostock v. Clayton County (2020) interpret Title VII?

Banned employment discrimination based on sexual orientation/gender identity as a form of sex discrimination.

What is the purpose of a grand jury?

Determine probable cause for trial (vs. preliminary hearings, where a judge reviews evidence).

What did Taylor v. Louisiana (1975) rule about jury composition?

Juries must include a fair cross-section of the community (no all-male juries).

What’s the difference between a challenge for cause and a peremptory challenge?

Challenge for cause = unlimited if juror shows bias; peremptory = limited strikes without explanation.

Are 6-person juries constitutional?

Yes, for non-capital cases (must be unanimous).

What legal change followed Eric Garner’s death?

NY banned chokeholds (2020), but no criminal conviction.

What charge resulted from the Breonna Taylor case?

Officer convicted of federal civil rights violations (no homicide charges).

Why was the Ferguson grand jury controversial?

Prosecutor’s presentation favored the officer; no indictment for Michael Brown’s shooting.

What are the four criteria for a "suspect class" under strict scrutiny?

1. History of discrimination.

2. Immutable trait.

3. Political powerlessness.

4. Ability to contribute to society.

Is sexual orientation a federally recognized "suspect class"?

No (but protected under Bostock via Title VII).