I saw that the "Bong Hits For Jesus" case was argued today before the Supreme Court. (I blogged about it here in the past.)
But I'm amazed at how much legal research has changed. In law school, there were two computer terminals at Baylor Law School that could access Westlaw (my a phone modem) - Westlaw was (an is) an expensive computer research system that wasn't particularly easy to understand. Other than that, you had to go find a book.
But now, it's all changed. For example, at the click of a mouse from my comfy chair in front of a TV, I can read the lower court's opinion in the Bong Hits case, see the brief for both the Petitioner and Respondent (something that used to be impossible), and, more amazingly, read the official transcript of the oral argument that occurred today before the Supreme Court. And when the opinion is released on a Wednesday (probably in early June), a copy of it will be delivered to my Inbox within two hours of its release.
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3.19.2007
Legal Technology
I saw that the "Bong Hits For Jesus" case was argued today before the Supreme Court. (I blogged about it here in the past.)
But I'm amazed at how much legal research has changed. In law school, there were two computer terminals at Baylor Law School that could access Westlaw (my a phone modem) - Westlaw was (an is) an expensive computer research system that wasn't particularly easy to understand. Other than that, you had to go find a book.
But now, it's all changed. For example, at the click of a mouse from my comfy chair in front of a TV, I can read the lower court's opinion in the Bong Hits case, see the brief for both the Petitioner and Respondent (something that used to be impossible), and, more amazingly, read the official transcript of the oral argument that occurred today before the Supreme Court. And when the opinion is released on a Wednesday (probably in early June), a copy of it will be delivered to my Inbox within two hours of its release.
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9 comments:
Speaking as a current law student...love me some Westlaw. We have a lab in the law library with 10 computers, two sweet laser printers running almost constantly, a blue Bat Phone that connects you straight to a "Westlaw Research Specialist", and on Wednesday mornings - coffee and doughnuts. Did I mention the Westlaw swag? Pens, highlighters, notebooks, koozies, sport bottles, etc.
Kids today ...
Hey Barry... you forgot to mention that this idiot student who started all this mess got busted in 2004 for selling maryjane on a college campus. Ahhhh.... and he swore this sign didn't have anything to do with drugs. He is clearly a trouble maker. I hope they throw the book at him!
Barry, please explain to 10:44 that this is not a criminal case where someone "throws the book" at them. My moment of astonishment came when one justice, Kennedy I think, made a statement in regards to the protection of free speech, to the effect that if the court rules in favor of the student, it would be a "free for all" while ruling in favor of the school would most likely be limiting and diminishing that same right of free speech. Talk about riding the fence!
He is a trouble maker and you know it 10:59. He intentionally made that sign to start a bunch of crap and see what he could get away with. He missed school that day, and shows up across the street from the school with this sign. Sounds a bit fishy to me. His continued statement of " It had nothing to do with drugs. Mmmmmkay, but he's a drug dealer. Mmmmmm.
It's a joke about throwing the book at him.... I know this is not a criminal offense. Get a grip there "peanut."
2:26 - get your basic facts straight. The kid was excused from school as were the other kids to participate in a parade for the passing Olympic flame. He took the opportunity to make the silly sign and display it on the public sidewalk across from the school grounds. He very well may be a ner-do-well trouble maker, but in my opinion, he has the right to free speech. The whole event was blown out of proportion by the overly aggressive school administrator.
11:02 get yourrrrr facts right my dear. I is stated on MSN that this idiot missed school that day.
Here's the statement
The school said students were allowed to leave class to see the torch pass by, making the event school-sanctioned. Frederick, however, never made it to school that day before the event.
Would you like to know more facts? I would be more than happy to direct you. Try MSN.
I would just like to point out that "Bong Hits 4 Jesus"? Is HILARIOUS!
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