Jessica E. Slavin – Page 14 – Marquette University Law School Faculty Blog

Jenkins Moot Court Competition Finalists Prepare for Final Arguments This Thursday, April 2

Post author:Jessica E. Slavin
Post published:March 25, 2009
Post category:Legal Education Marquette Law School

The semifinal round of this spring’s Jenkins Moot Court Competition took place last night. As previously described, sixteen top students from the Appellate Writing and Advocacy Class were invited to compete in the Jenkins Competition, in teams of two. Last week, that field of eight teams was narrowed to four. Last night’s arguments narrowed the competition to the final two teams. The finalists are Alyssa Dowse and Timothy Sheehey, arguing against Jessica Farley and Brent Simerson.

Congratulations and good luck to the finalists. The final argument will take place at the Milwaukee Federal Courthouse at 6 p.m. this Thursday, April 2. Join us to see two terrific oral arguments, and the exciting outcome of the year’s competition. More information about the competition and the schedule of the events on Thursday, including the argument and the reception afterwards, can be found here.

Wisconsin Supreme Court Accepts Three New Cases, Including a Case That Will Determine Whether a Crime with No Sexual Component May Trigger Sex Offender Registration Requirements

Post author:Jessica E. Slavin
Post published:March 25, 2009
Post category:Criminal Law & Process Tort Law Wisconsin Civil Litigation Wisconsin Criminal Law & Process Wisconsin Law & Legal System Wisconsin Supreme Court

Supreme Court seal Today the Wisconsin Supreme Court accepted three new cases for review, two criminal cases and one civil case.

One of the criminal cases, State v. Smith, 2008AP1011, asks the court to determine whether the sex offender registration statute, Wisconsin Statute section 301.45, is unconstitutional in its application to a defendant whose crime, false imprisonment of a minor, concededly had no sexual component whatsoever. The Defendant Smith was convicted of falsely imprisoning a minor in connection with a drug crime. That conviction triggered application of the sex offender registration requirements in section 301.45. Smith did not register, and was charged with failing to register as required. He argues that the sex offender registration requirement violates his due process and equal protection rights because his crime had no sexual component.

Obama Extends Protected Status for Liberians for Twelve More Months

Post author:Jessica E. Slavin
Post published:March 20, 2009
Post category:Federal Law & Legal System Human Rights Immigration Law

The AP reports that President Obama has issued an executive order extended protection (“deferred enforced departure”) for twelve more months. Advocates for the extension are pleased. As I wrote previously, I also support this extension, but for the reasons explained in that longer post, I hope that during this twelve months, some legislative solution can be found, permitting the Liberians who have been here so long and established lives here, to stay.