February 27, 2007

PL 200--Criminal Law
In class today, Tuesday 2/27, I passed back the exams, and we went over them. We started our discussion of Chapter 5, discussing the Ulvinen case, and I also talked about one Maine accomplice case. The assignment for Thursday 3/1 is to finish reading Chapter 5.

PL 499--Legal Ethics
In class today, Tuesday 2/27, we began the oral presentations on the Grievance Commission cases. We will finish those presentations on Thursday. Also on Thursday I will distribute the take-home exams.

February 22, 2007

PL 200--Criminal Law
In class today, Thursday 2/22, we had the first test. On Tuesday 2/27, I will return the tests and we will go over them. After that we'll start our discussion of Chapter 5. The assignment for Tuesday 2/27 is to read through p. 129 of the text.

PL 499--Legal Ethics
In class today, Thursday 2/22, we went over some of the concepts in chapter 5 of the text. We also listened to some of the legal education regarding the management of ethical issues in the law office. The assignment for Tuesday 2/27 is to prepare the oral presentations on the 2 disciplinary proceedings that you each have been given.

February 20, 2007

PL 200--Criminal Law
In class today, Tuesday 2/20, we finished Chapter 4. I also discussed 4 Maine cases. We went over some sample questions. Thursday 2/22 is the first test.

PL 499--Legal Ethics
In class today, Tuesday 2/20, we went over the summaries of the 2 Ethics commission opinions, and discussed the conflicts article. The assignment for Thursday 2/22 is to read Chapter 5 of the text. Also locate in the MBR the sections that give rules for competence, diligence, and zealous representation.

February 15, 2007

PL 200--Criminal Law
In class today, Thursday 2/15, we went over the textbook cases through the Loge case on p. 101. we also discussed how these mens rea cases would come out under Maine statutes. I talked about one Maine case, and other stages in the Barnes case and the Koppersmith case. On Tuesday 2/20, we will finish up Chapter 4, and I'll give you some sample test questions. The exam will be on Thursday 2/22, over Chapters 1-4.

PL 499--Legal Ethics
In class today, Thursday 2/15, we didn't cover much, because I was the only one there. Therefore, we'll carry the assignment for today over to Tuesday, 2/20. Also, prepare to discuss the Michael Nelson article regarding conflicts of interest.

February 13, 2007

PL 200--Criminal Law
In class today, Tuesday 2/13, we finished our discussion of Chapter 3 of the text. I also went over three Maine cases regarding constructive possession. we also went over the concept of mens rea and the Maine statute regarding the definition of the various mental states. We went over the Stark case. The assignment for Thursday 2/15 is to finish reading Chapter 4 of the text. After we finish Chapter 4, we'll have an exam over Chapters 1-4.

PL 499--Legal Ethics
In class today, Tuesday 2/13, we discussed Chapter 4 of the text. I distributed 5 handouts: 2 Ethics Commission Opinions, a Sample of an Ethics Summary, an article about conflicts, and an excerpt from the changes to the Maine confidentiality rules regarding secrets and confidences. The assignment for Thursday 2/15 is to read the article, and write Summaries of the 2 Ethics Commission Opinions.

February 8, 2007

PL 200--Criminal Law
In class today, Thursday 2/8, we had our third quiz. We discussed failure to act, and possession as an act. The assignment for Tuesday 2/13, is to read through p. 97 of the text. Also read in the Maine Criminal Code §32 through §35.

PL 499--Legal Ethics
In class today, Thursday 2/8, we discussed and did role-playing with the 3 Ethical Opinions regarding confidentiality. The assignment for Tuesday 2/13, is to read Chapter 4 of the text. Also read Rule 3.4 in the current Maine Bar Rules, finding the specific MBR that deals with the Ethical Dilemma on p. 83 of the text, and find the elusive MBR that gives the definitions for "confidences" and for "secrets".

February 6, 2007

PL 200--Criminal Law
In class today, Tuesday 2/6, we continued through Chapter 3 of the text. I also discussed two other cases. one from Maine and one from Illinois, in addition to the cases in the text. We will pick up on Thursday with the Kuntz case. The assignment is to review the rest of Chapter 3.

PL 499--Legal Ethics
In class today, we did some role-playing regarding the problem of the perjurious client. I distributed 5 handouts, an excerpt from the proposed MRPC, the Maine Rules of Evidence regarding lawyer-client privilege, and three Ethical Opinions regarding various confidentiality issues. If you were not in class, I put the handouts in my mailbox in the Science and Humanities Office. The assignment for Thursday 2/8 is to read and prepare to discuss the 3 Ethical Opinions.

February 1, 2007

PL 200--Criminal Law
In class today, Thursday 2/1, we finished our discussion of Chapter Two of the text, and began talking about the actus reus of Chapter 3. The assignment for Tuesday 2/6 is to finish reading Chapter Three.

PL 499--Legal Ethics
In class today, Thursday 2/1, I distributed three handouts: the Dineen law court case, Ethics Opinion #140, and the Assignment Sheet for next Tuesday. We went over the confidentiality exceptions for harmful actions. The assignment for Tuesday 2/6 is write up the confidentiality assignment regarding client perjury, as laid out in the assignment sheet.