law

Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

NUPD chief: National shootings ‘disturbing,’ but present opportunity to form stronger bonds between police and communities

Northeastern University Chief of Police Michael Davis has been a part of a range of efforts and initiatives at the national level examining law enforcement practices, particularly those involving race and policing.

by Greg St. Martin July 12, 2016

A spectator captures video of Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton at a press conference on Thursday following the fatal police shooting of Philando Castile in a St. Paul suburb. Photo by Lorie Shaull/Flickr

Witness videos and the conversation about race and policing

Police in Louisiana shot and killed Alton Sterling on Tuesday. A day later, police in Minnesota fatally shot Philando Castile. Both men were black. And both shootings were captured in grisly videos by bystanders—videos that quickly circulated on social media. Here, law professor Jessica Silbey talks about the role technology now plays in influencing the conversation about race and policing, and the constitutional right of citizens to record law enforcement in public.

by Matthew McDonald July 8, 2016

Coloring book draws on diversity to empower young girls

Before enrolling in Northeastern’s School of Law this fall, Stephanie Tabashneck authored a coloring book aimed at empowering girls to dream big. “Instead of being a princess,” she said, “maybe they’ll want to be a biologist or run for president.”

by Jason Kornwitz April 14, 2016

The Internet, newsworthiness, and invasion of privacy

How will the outcome of the ongoing Hulk Hogan-Gawker trial impact future litigation and the freedom of the online press? We asked law professor Jessica Silbey and communication studies professor Dale Herbeck.

by Jason Kornwitz March 9, 2016

Are safe injection facilities for heroin users a step in the right direction?

The mayor of Ithaca, New York, last week, announced a plan to open sites where heroin users can safely inject the drug under medical supervision. Assistant professor Leo Beletsky thinks the idea isn’t that far-fetched, saying “We need innovative interventions because what we are doing is not working.”

by Joe O'Connell March 2, 2016

3Qs: What’s next in the partisan fight to replace Scalia?

President Obama intends to fulfill his constitutional duty to nominate a new Supreme Court justice to replace Antonin Scalia, but Senate Republicans have vowed to block his pick. We asked law professor Daniel Medwed how this political battle is likely to play out.

by Jason Kornwitz February 22, 2016

3Qs: Justice Scalia’s legacy, and what his death means for politics and the law

Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia’s death touched off a political debate that could define President Obama’s final year in office and bring drama to an already contentious presidential primary. Professor Michael Meltsner, a constitutional law expert, called Scalia’s death “a great blow to Republicans” and “a gift to Hillary Clinton.”

by Matthew McDonald February 16, 2016

11/04/15 - BOSTON, MA. - Barney Frank speaks after Nancy Gertner during a lecture on the 1960's US Supreme Court in West Village F on Oct. 4, 2015. Photo by Adam Glanzman/Northeastern University

Supreme Court of the ’60s lent ‘legal force to the dissatisfaction with bigotry’

Former U.S. Rep. Barney Frank and retired federal judge Nancy Gertner discussed during last week’s Myra Kraft Open Classroom lecture the ramifications of the U.S. Supreme Court between 1953 and 1969, when Earl Warren served as chief justice.

by Jason Kornwitz November 9, 2015

A group of Boy Scouts from Troop 62 stands at attention in North Carolina. <i>Photo by iStock.</i>

Northeastern community reacts to new Boy Scouts policy

Students and faculty described the group's decision to lift its ban on openly gay leaders while allowing church-sponsored units to continue excluding gays for religious reasons in unequivocally strong terms. “Claiming ‘morality’ or ‘religious beliefs’ cannot override basic principles of equality,” noted sociology professor Suzanna Walters.

by Jason Kornwitz July 29, 2015

3Qs: Bruce Jenner and the transgender rights movement

Gabriel Arkles, a legal research and writing professor in the School of Law, discusses Jenner’s decision to come out as a transgender woman, the barriers facing the transgender rights movement, and the current state of resources and services for the transgender community.

by Jason Kornwitz May 1, 2015