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These News Briefs and Decision Summaries are from  the  the New Jersey State Bar Association. They are an exclusive benefit of the Association in partnership with the New Jersey Law Journal. A subscription may be necessary to access the full text of some of the items listed:

NEWS BRIEFS:

ADP Claims Former Employee Took Client Information, Proprietary Data to Competitor

“Normally we interpret the golden rule as telling us how to act. But in practice its greater role may be psychological, alerting us to everyday self-absorption, and the failure to consider our impacts on others. The rule reminds us also that we are peers to others who deserve comparable consideration.”
In The Golden Rule of Constitutional Interpretation, published in VERDICT: Legal Analysis and Commentary from Justia on July 1, 2025, UC Davis Law Professor Vikram David Amar and Professor Emeritus Alan E. Brownstein explore the imperative of applying constitutional principles consistently, irrespective of political affiliations or desired outcomes. Drawing on examples from case law involving free speech, federalism, and equal protection, the authors advocate for what they term a “Golden Rule” approach to constitutional interpretation: legal standards should be applied evenly, even when doing so produces results that conflict with one’s own political or ideological preferences. While recognizing the inherent challenges in suppressing partisan impulses, Amar and Brownstein emphasize that fidelity to this rule is essential for maintaining the legitimacy and integrity of constitutional adjudication

During the week ending July 4, 2025 we have received listings of 39 Government and Administrative Law Summaries,  36 Constitutional Law summaries, 81 Criminal Law Summaries, 8 White Collar Law Summaries,  2 Intellectual Property Summaries,  2 Medical Malpractice Summaries,  and 5 U.S. Supreme Court Summaries.   We plan is to continue posting opinion summaries, under corresponding areas of law, weekly whenever possible in order to keep blog readers updated.  To gain access to these case summaries, click on the corresponding links below:

Opinion Summaries Posted for Week Ending  July 4, 2025:

Criminal Law

These News Briefs and Decision Summaries are from  the  the New Jersey State Bar Association. They are an exclusive benefit of the Association in partnership with the New Jersey Law Journal. A subscription may be necessary to access the full text of some of the items listed:

NEWS BRIEFS:

An event sponsored by the American Bar Association, International Law Section.

July 2, 2025 12PM EDT.

This webinar will examine a significant gap in the subject matter jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC): its inability to investigate and prosecute individuals who knowingly cause widespread or long-term environmental damage. The program will explore ongoing efforts by civil society to amend the Rome Statute to address this deficiency, including proposals to recognize ecocide as an international crime. Topics will include developments in international environmental criminal law, corporate and state liability, and the integration of ecocide into existing legal frameworks.

From the Congressional Budget Office. June 27, 2025.

SUMMARY:

CBO provides information regarding the agency’s analysis of an amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, as posted on the website of the Senate Committee on the Budget on June 27, 2025 (https://tinyurl.com/2ejs4ut5).

From Crimegrade.org

Crime Grade’s violent crime map highlights the safest areas in New Jersey in green, the most dangerous in red, and moderately safe areas in yellow. Crime rates on the map are weighted based on both the type and severity of the crime. For more information on how to interpret our crime maps, see : Interpreting the Crime Maps .

In 2024, New Jersey saw an overall decrease in crime, including the lowest number of shootings in state history for the second consecutive yearSpecifically, there was a 16% decrease in gunshot victims compared to 2023, with 778 victims in 2024. Additionally, auto thefts were down 11%. These figures indicate a positive trend in reducing violent crime in the state.

The legislative branch of the United States government (embodied in Congress, which consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate) is the cornerstone of the federal lawmaking process and a central pillar of the constitutional system of checks and balances. Through its exclusive powers to enact laws, oversee the executive branch, and shape national policy, Congress functions within a broader framework of shared authority known as the separation of powers.

In this posting, we explore key questions surrounding the legislative process, followed by overviews of congressional powers beyond lawmaking, the practical operation of separation of powers, and the exercise of war powers in a divided government. Our goal is to provide material that will be useful to law and legislative librarians, the legal profession at large, and anyone whose work or civic responsibilities require engagement with these fundamental issues.


I. Lawmaking Authority

During the week ending June 27, 2025 we have received listings of 29 Government and Administrative Law Summaries,  31 Constitutional Law summaries, 87 Criminal Law Summaries, 3 White Collar Law Summaries,  2 Intellectual Property Summaries,  5 Medical Malpractice Summaries,  4 U.S. Supreme Court Summaries, 1 Internet Law Summary, and 1 Copyright Law Summary.   We plan is to continue posting opinion summaries, under corresponding areas of law, weekly whenever possible in order to keep blog readers updated.  To gain access to these case summaries, click on the corresponding links below:

Opinion Summaries Posted for Week Ending  June 27, 2025:

Criminal Law

From the American Association of Law Libraries, 6-27-2025.

Dear colleagues,

As I shared in my June 20 message, Vani Ungapen will be stepping down as AALL Executive Director at the end of August. In preparation for this transition, I have appointed a Special Committee—composed of current and past Executive Board members, including myself—to lead the search for AALL’s next Executive Director. The committee represents all three primary library types and brings valuable insights and experience working closely with this role.

I am pleased to share that AALL Past President Beth Adelman has agreed to chair this committee. The full committee includes:

  • Ramon Barajas Jr.
  • Emily R. Florio
  • Kris Niedringhaus
  • Diane M. Rodriguez
  • Jenny Silbiger
  • Abby Walters
  • Jessica Whytock
  • Cornell H. Winston

The committee’s first step will be to engage a professional search firm to assist in identifying and vetting candidates. We are issuing Requests for Proposals and anticipate selecting a firm by mid-August.

We will continue to keep you informed as the process unfolds. If you have comments or questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at president@aall.org.

This is an important moment for AALL, and your continued support and engagement will help ensure a strong and thoughtful leadership transition.

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Cornell H. Winston

AALL President

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