INSTRUCTOR: Perry Binder, J.D.
Clinical Associate Professor of Legal Studies, RMI Department, 11th floor
E-mail: pbinder @ gsu.edu -- the quickest way to reach me, seven days/week
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION: This inquiry into the legal institution for the non-business student is designed to help develop an adequate and adaptable impression of legal substance, procedure and valuation through legal research, legal observations, reading of primary and secondary legal materials, and directed classroom discussions. Prerequisites: None
REQUIRED: SUPPLEMENTAL iCOLLEGE CASES AND THE BELOW WEB MATERIAL
REQUIRED BOOK: Stern, The Buffalo Creek Disaster (Vintage Books 1977), ISBN 0-394-72343-0
REQUIRED: Justice Cases for the Classroom Blog
REQUIRED: “The Monster of Florence” article
Links last updated May 2019
UNIT I - The Court System and a Powerful Case Study
Justice Cases for the Classroom - Introduction
Reading a Georgia Statute:
51-12-5.1. Punitive damages (a) As used in this Code section, the term "punitive damages" is synonymous with the terms "vindictive damages," "exemplary damages," and other descriptions of additional damages awarded because of aggravating circumstances in order to penalize, punish, or deter a defendant.
(b) Punitive damages may be awarded only in such tort actions in which it is proven by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant's actions showed willful misconduct, malice, fraud, wantonness, oppression, or that entire want of care which would raise the presumption of conscious indifference to consequences.
(c) Punitive damages shall be awarded not as compensation to a plaintiff but solely to punish, penalize, or deter a defendant....
(g) For any tort action not provided for by subsection (e) or (f) of this Code section in which the trier of fact has determined that punitive damages are to be awarded, the amount which may be awarded in the case shall be limited to a maximum of $250,000.00.
- The Relationship between State and Federal Court Systems in the United States
- The Problem of Jurisdiction
- Motions and Discovery
- The Pretrial and Trial Phase
- Judgment, Appeal, and Execution
- When Can Someone Bring a Lawsuit?
- Relations with Lawyers
- Alternative Means of Resolving Disputes
GA Attorney-client privilege - Read Rule 1.6
GA Conflict of interest - Read Rule 1.7
GA Rule on Attorney solicitation/advertising - Read Rule 7.3
THE VERDICT - MOVIE CLIP
Closing Statement
BUFFALO CREEK SUPPLEMENTAL READING
We'll be using The Buffalo Creek Disaster as a case study.
YouTube: Eyewitnesses
Justice Cases for the Classroom - Grandpa versus Big Coal
Any parallels with Buffalo Creek?
YouTube: Eyewitnesses
Justice Cases for the Classroom - Grandpa versus Big Coal
Any parallels with Buffalo Creek?
LEGAL RESEARCH
Use this site whenever you wish to search for GA Statutes
UNIT II - Private Actions, Personal Liberties & Property Rights
ARC OF A CAREER - 10 Motivators for Professional Success
CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
Types of Crimes
The Nature of a Criminal Act
Responsibility
Procedure
Constitutional Rights of the Accused
REAL PROPERTY LAW
Buying a house - legal issues
Search deed information - any GA county
UNIT III - Raw Emotion: Criminal Law, Family Law & Estate Law
CRIMINAL LAW REVISITED - Proof beyond a reasonable doubt?
The Monster of Florence case - Magazine Article in The Atlantic
- YouTube interview with writer Douglas Preston (4 minutes)
- ABC News video: Before Knox: The Monster of Florence (8 minutes)
Good book, if interested: Preston & Spezi, The Monster of Florence (Grand Central Publishing 2009) ISBN-10: 0446581275 ISBN-13: 978-0446581271
http://www.amazon.com/Monster-Florence-Douglas-Preston/dp/0446581275/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1320260138&sr=8-1- ABC News video: Before Knox: The Monster of Florence (8 minutes)
Good book, if interested: Preston & Spezi, The Monster of Florence (Grand Central Publishing 2009) ISBN-10: 0446581275 ISBN-13: 978-0446581271
Compare The Monster of Florence case with:
A. Amanda Knox case
American Studying in Italy Accused of Homicide Could've Left Country
Knox determined to understand Italian Legal System
June 2019: Amanda Knox is returning to Italy for the first time since she was convicted and imprisoned
B. Arnold and Jesse Friedman case
YouTube Documentary Trailer: Capturing the Friedmans
A. Amanda Knox case
American Studying in Italy Accused of Homicide Could've Left Country
Knox determined to understand Italian Legal System
June 2019: Amanda Knox is returning to Italy for the first time since she was convicted and imprisoned
B. Arnold and Jesse Friedman case
YouTube Documentary Trailer: Capturing the Friedmans
Jesse Fights On
Aug. 22, 2013: Judge orders the Nassau County DA’s office turn over all documents
Read Jesse article
C. State of Georgia v. Calvin Johnson
YouTube: Calvin Johnson accepts award from Innocence Project
Aug. 22, 2013: Judge orders the Nassau County DA’s office turn over all documents
Read Jesse article
C. State of Georgia v. Calvin Johnson
YouTube: Calvin Johnson accepts award from Innocence Project
FAMILY LAW
ESTATE LAW
