Facebook Photos = Imminent Incarceration

This blog has previously featured the use of facebook photos to support employee termination. Now, the granddaughter of a Saudi millionaire faces more severe consequences for her ill-advised facebook postings.

The Connecticut Supreme Court recently heard the appeal of Alia Altajir.  According to the Hartford Advocate,  a 19-year-old Altajir drove drunk and killed her best friend in 2004. Her plea bargain resulted in a sentence of five years suspended after one year served and 5 years probation. She later violated her probation.  Prosecutors used her facebook photos as evidence, referring to them as an "altar of alcohol, lewdness and debauchery." Noting a lack of remorse, the Superior Court judge sentenced Altajir to three years in jail. On appeal, defense counsel argued that the photos were undated and, therefore, should not have been admissible. Read the full article here.  Read the Appellate Court decision here.

A tip of the hat to Mark Spurling, my UConn colleague, for sharing this article.

Source of image: http://www.ct.com/news/advocates/latest-news/nm-ht44ncfacebook-20111025,0,3113626.story

Alia Altajir

Be Empowered! - by UCC Article 2

Here is an introduction to article 2 that is likely to get student attention.

Singing the C.I.S.G.

University of Pittsburgh Law School Professor Harry Flechtner has composed and recorded a song extolling the virtues of the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (C.I.S.G.). If this is your area, be prepared to be simultaneously entertained and educated.  I don't know a lot about the CISG, but I am a big believer in the use of music as a pedagogical device. Thank you, Professor Flechtner, for sharing this great educational resource by posting it on the web.  A tip of the hat to ALSB member George Siedel for bringing it to my attention.

Click on the link below to access the site with an audio file of the C.I.S.G. Song:
(image source: http://commissions.uianet.org/en/business-law-department/root-48/presentation/)

Law Music Video - Criminal Lawyer

This week's installment in the "Law Music Videos" series is Criminal Lawyer by Bugle. Honestly, I can't understand a single word this guy is singing, other than "criminal lawyer."  But it's got a nice beat and it's easy to dance to. . . . Law music videos played before your class starts will positively contribute to learning.

Contingent Fee: 25%

Here is a law firm advertising a reduced contingent fee.  What a minute - on uncontested claims? First of all, is there such a thing? And when one comes along, what's the lawyer's job - to deposit the check? Students may be interested in discussing the ethics of this kind of advertising.

Law Lessong - Ethics and Laws in Our Lives

The next installment in the “Law Lessong” series is Ethics and Law in Our Lives. The lyrics for this song were written by Sean Donlon, a student in my Legal and Ethical Environment of Business class at the University of Connecticut. Students may submit law songs for credit. In order to fashion a rhyming scheme that matches a melody, a student must carefully examine and distill legal principles and the language that expresses the legal principles. This simple video and song from a Power Point presentation helps students consider the relationship of law and ethics.

Learn more about Law Lessongs from the post found here.  More videos may be found at my youtube channel. Please feel free to use them in the classroom or as assignments or in any way that they work for you as an educational resource.

Featured Website: Exploring Constitutional Law

The website, Exploring Constitutional Law is maintained by Doug Linder at University of Missouri- Kansas City School of Law.  Prof. Linder has compiled material on a wide range of topics.  In each instance, he has gathered case summaries and background information to assist the learning process.  Click on the images below to sample some of the topics explored. But also take the time to explore this website for you own classroom needs.

Thanks to Prof. Lender for sharing this fine classroom resource by posting it on the web.

Click on the image below of Estelle Griswold, plaintiff in the landmark case of Griswold v. Connecticut to explore the website section on the right of privacy. (source of image: http://www.abajournal.com/magazine/article/june_7_1965_griswold_v._connecticut_decided/)



Click on the image below of Susette Kelo, plaintiff in the landmark case of Kelo v. New London to explore the website section on the takings clause. (source of image: http://www.boston.com/ae/books/articles/2009/02/01/stealing_home/)



Click on the image below of Thomas Edison High School in San Antonio, Texas, the locus of the events leading to the landmark case of U.S. v Lopez to explore the website section on the Federal Power to Regulate Commerce. (source of image: http://saisd.net/schools/edison003/)