Latest Case: United States v. Graham (Criminal Law)

In Ruth We Trust: How the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act Can Promote Women’s Equal Citizenship and Justice Ginsburg’s Legacy

JOANNA L. GROSSMAN

In honor of the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, SMU Dedman School of Law professor Joanna L. Grossman explains how the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) can promote women’s equal citizenship and protect Justice Ginsburg’s legacy of shaping gender equality. Grossman argues that the PWFA could help break down entrenched occupational segregation in the American economy, and, in so doing, honor Justice Ginsburg’s lifelong commitment to ensuring that women can be full members of society.

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A Half Century After Its Publication, What Can “The Greening of America” Tell Us About the United States Today?

RODGER CITRON

In recognition of the 50-year anniversary of the publication of Charles Reich’s “The Greening of America,” Touro law professor Rodger D. Citron explains what Reich actually said in “The Greening,” explains why it generated such a strong response, and reflects on what the piece has to say about the fractures of our current moment. Citron cautions that the promise of a new consciousness is as alluring—and may be as illusory—as it was when Reich wrote the article and book, 50 years ago.

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United States v. Graham

Docket: 19-1813

Opinion Date: September 24, 2020

Judge: William Joseph Kayatta, Jr.

Areas of Law: Criminal Law

The First Circuit affirmed Defendant's sentence for federal charges of sex trafficking, drug trafficking, and interstate transportation of a person for prostitution in violation of the Mann Act, holding that the district court did not err in applying a "vulnerable victim" enhancement. At sentencing, the district court determined that Defendant's victim was a vulnerable victim for purposes of applying a two-level enhancement. The court then sentenced Defendant to 320 months' imprisonment on the sex and drug trafficking counts and to concurrent 120-month sentences on the Mann Act counts. The First Circuit affirmed the sentence, holding that Defendant's sentence was not affected by the district court's conclusion that the enhancement for vulnerable victims was warranted under the United States Sentencing Guidelines, and therefore, any alleged error in the application of that enhancement would have been harmless.