C-SPAN Videos of Interest to Criminal Justice Students

 

 

 

 

This posting is offered simply as a reminder of the very good field-related resources available at C-SPAN.org.

 

 

Justice Scalia and Justice Breyer Debating the “proper” role of international law informing U.S. Supreme Court decisions.

This debate is of particular interest to those interested in how international law has “informed” the death penalty debate (Roper v. Simmons) recent Court decisions.

 

A&C: Justice Antonin Scalia on Constitutional Interpretation (03/19/2005) 

Justice Scalia speaks on his very negative views of the Court’s “Evolving Social Standards” and “Living Document” theories of Constitutional interpretation.  He argues that the Court is losing its legitimacy by overstepping its Constitutional mandate and becoming a “Super-legislature.” Included are mentions of the death penalty, privacy, and abortion.

 

Professor Mark TuchnetA Court Divided: The Rehnquist Court and the Future of Constitutional Law

Another look at the future of the Court. Tuchnet argues that divisions within the Court go far beyond simple Democrat v. Republican issues.

 

 

Washington State Supreme Court Oral Arguments

Though not specifically related to Criminal Justice, per se, this case involving rights of gays to marry provides an excellent example of the appeals process at the state level.

 

Patriots To Restore Checks and Balances

For those interested in civil liberties challenges to post-911 legislation, this is a “must hear” discussion of bi-partisan efforts to “correct” the “excesses” of the Patriot Act.

 

House Democrats On The Terry Schiavo Case

House Republicans On The Terry Schiavo Case

This only applies to criminal justice in the sense that various legislators and a variety of pundits insist on making claims that Ms. Schiavo’s awful situation somehow relates to Eight Amendment issues. Nonetheless, it is obviously quite topical and offers an exemplar of continuing tensions between state v. federal courts and legislatures.