CASES (exam 1)

Question 1

Heart of Atlanta vs. United States

Answer 1

ISSUE: Owner refused to rent rooms to African-American and felt his business didn’t affect interstate commerce and congress was being unconstituional for the civil rights act stating it exceeded it constituional authority to regulate commerce.

RULE: Civil rights act was violated

ANALYSIS: Hotel was accessible from interstate high was, owner advertised nationally

CONCLUSION: Prohibited the owner from discriminating against race. Congress was not acting unconstitutionally (protected under commerce clause)

Question 2

Animal Legal Defense Fund vs. Wasden

Answer 2

ISSUE: An animal rights activist who worked at a dairy farm secretly recorded animal abuse. The video went viral and owner fired abusive employees. Idaho state legislature enacted an interference with agricultural production statute, which was targeted at undercover investigation of operations.

RULE: The recording clause criminalized making video and audio recordings of an agricultural facility without the owner’s consent. Violated First Amendment - freedom of religion. Against Wadsen - attorney general

ANALYSIS: Prohibiting audio and visual content but not photographs is under inclusive

CONCLUSION: The clause could not survive strict scrutiny and is unconstitutional

Question 3

Bad Frog Brewery, Inc. vs. New York State Liquor Authority

Answer 3

ISSUE: Bad Frog makes and sells alcoholic beverages that feature a label that displays a frog holding up the middle finger. NSLA denied an application to be in grocery stores because of its exposure to children of tender age.

RULE: NYSLA’s Label prohibition interferes with commerce

ANALYSIS: State claims it wants to protect children from vulgarity however its restriction only applies to certain things and not all (ie. comic books, etc.)

CONCLUSION: Ban lacks reasonable fit, judgment in favor of bad frog

Question 4

Ogden vs. Gibbons

Answer 4

ISSUE: Ogden had a state license to operate between New York and Jersey. Ogden was in competition with Gibbons who had a state license. Bibbons sued Ogden

RULE: Exclusive power to manage interstate commerce including waterways

ANALYSIS:

RULE: Judge Marshall explained definition of Congress they have the power to come up with laws regarding interstate commerce

Question 5

Al-Dabagh vs. Case Western Reserve University

Answer 5

ISSUE: School has 9 core competencies. Amire did well at school but sexually harassed students, asked to not be marked late, got complaints from staff and was convicted of driving intoxicated. The committee denied certification of graduation and dismissed Amir from university

RULE: Amir claimed failure of good faith court ordered him to receive diplima and university appealed.

ANALYSIS: Amir stated the definition of professionalism was broad and decision had nothing to do with his academics

CONCLUSION: Appellate court reversed court order university did not act in bad faith

Question 6

Watson Laboratories Inc. vs. State of Mississippi

Question 7

Espresso Disposition Corp. 1 v. Santana Sales & Marketing Group, Inc.