Except for crimes committed on federal land, state law governs what constitutes a sex crime, and the definitions vary.
Ellen K. Boegel
Ellen K. Boegel is America’s contributing editor for legal affairs.
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
First Amendment may protect Trump tweets against N.F.L. protests
The president’s campaign to define—and enforce—patriotism poses constitutional questions for chief executives and football players alike.
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
How the new Supreme Court term will impact the future of immigration, religious freedom and more
The court is scheduled to hear cases relating to immigration, religious freedom, federalism, voting, employee rights and federal court jurisdiction over foreign governments and corporations.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Is voting a public or a private act? (Your ballot is not as secret as you think)
Our information has been or soon will be made available to the Presidential Advisory Commission.
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
Will lower courts restrict same-sex marriage’s legal influence?
Controversial decisions, such as Brown v. Board of Education (school desegregation), Roe v. Wade (abortion) and, most recently, Obergefell v. Hodges (same-sex marriage), often are challenged for decades by opponents seeking their reversal or limitation.
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
After another high profile shooting, a background check on gun rights
The sale of new fully automatic weapons has been banned since 1986, but there are an estimated 182,600 pre-1986 machine guns in the United States that may be bought and sold legally.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Can religious schools receive state funds? Supreme Court gives a qualified yes.
The Supreme Court court ruled on June 26 that the government may not exclude religious groups from grant programs simply because they are religious.
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
As calls for Trump’s impeachment are raised, the process remains difficult (as it should be)
The removal of a president from office is, and should be, difficult to accomplish. Currently, there are two constitutional means to remove a U.S. president: impeachment and activation of the procedures set forth in the 25th Amendment.
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
Schools have the right to limit free speech. But how much should they?
Discussions that lead to cooperative compliance are better than banning speech.
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
What can the U.S. learn from how other countries balance church and state?
U.S. educational history is rife with examples of varying levels of government involvement with religious education in public schools.