Introduction to Law (LGLS 3020): LGLS 3020

INSTRUCTOR: Perry Binder, J.D.

Clinical Associate Professor of Legal Studies, RMI Department, 11^th 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.

Georgia Bar Ethics Rules - Click Here
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?

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

Easements
Adverse Possession
Forms of Ownership

Buying a house - legal issues

Seeking out an inspector

Search deed information - any GA county

PERSONAL PROPERTY LAW - AUTO ISSUES
What is a bailment?

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