Category Archives: Issues to Watch

RICO Resurgence: How State Statutes are Bringing RICO Back.

*Andrea Hutton I. Introduction In the first episode of The Sopranos, Tony Soprano laments to his therapist that “[he’s] not getting any satisfaction from [his] work.”[1] When his therapist asks why, Tony says, “[a]ll because of RICO,” clarifying that RICO is not a family member, but a statute.[2] Many Americans are familiar with the RacketeerContinue reading “RICO Resurgence: How State Statutes are Bringing RICO Back.”

Geofence Warrants: Strict in Theory. Fatal in Fact?

*Philip Glaser I. Introduction Following the January 6, 2021 incursion on the U.S. Capitol, law enforcement faced a challenge: how could they identify the hundreds of people who entered the Capitol Building in violation of federal law?[1] To put names to faces, the FBI solicited tips,[2] scoured social media,[3] and enlisted assistance from Google.[4] InContinue reading “Geofence Warrants: Strict in Theory. Fatal in Fact?”

Restricting Gun Ownership for People Under Domestic Violence Protective Orders: Violation of the Second Amendment or Rooted in History?

*Collin Riley I. Introduction In adopting the Second Amendment, the people of the United States of America also embraced a persistent question: to what extent can the government restrict an individual’s right to bear arms? The answer to this dilemma remains unclear, due to difficulty in balancing the competing interests of promoting public safety andContinue reading “Restricting Gun Ownership for People Under Domestic Violence Protective Orders: Violation of the Second Amendment or Rooted in History?”

Artificial Intelligence Generated Art: A Federal District Court Paints a Path to Copyright Protection.

Cover Art: “A Recent Entrance to Paradise” created by the Creativity Machine and Steven Thaler. *Anne Clevenger I. Introduction Can an artificial intelligence (AI) program create art subject to copyright protection under the law? Though copyright law has been the subject of many legal disputes in the United States,[1] AI-generated artwork has seen very fewContinue reading “Artificial Intelligence Generated Art: A Federal District Court Paints a Path to Copyright Protection.”

Supreme Court to Decide When a Public Official’s Social Media Activity Constitutes State Action: The Future of the Democratic Process and Other First Amendment Implications.

*Shanae T. Jones I. Introduction It is well-settled that constitutional demands are generally directed at the government, not private actors.[1] When a private individual acts under the authority of the government, however, their conduct may fall within the scope of the Constitution.[2] The idea that only state action is subject to regulation by the ConstitutionContinue reading “Supreme Court to Decide When a Public Official’s Social Media Activity Constitutes State Action: The Future of the Democratic Process and Other First Amendment Implications.”