Law 401 Midterm Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What was the main issue in Goldberg v. Kelly?

Whether the due process rights of Mr. Kelly, a public welfare beneficiary, had been violated by his denial of benefits without a predetermination evidentiary hearing.

In the Supreme Court's view as explained in Goldberg v. Kelly, are welfare benefits considered property rights protected by the Due Process clauses of the US Constitution?

True

In Goldberg v. Kelly, the Court held that welfare recipients are entitled to:

Notice of reasons for termination

A predetermination evidentiary hearing

A decision by a neutral decision maker

All of the above (correct)

True or False: In Goldberg v. Kelly, the Court states that some governmental benefits may be terminated without a hearing.

True Signup and view all the answers

What was the main issue in Sniadach v. Family Finance Corp.?

Whether the due process rights of Ms. Sniadach had been violated by her employer garnishing her wages without any prior opportunity for Ms. Sniadach to challenge the garnishment. Signup and view all the answers

In Sniadach v. Family Finance Corp, what did the Court state was, at minimum, necessary to avoid a due process violation in this situation?

Notice & Prior hearing of some kind. Signup and view all the answers

What was the main issue in Fuentes v. Shevin?

Whether the due process rights of Ms. Fuentes had been violated by repossession of her stove and stereo without a meaningful prior opportunity for Ms. Fuentes to challenge the repression. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements best summarizes reasoning by the Court in Fuentes v. Shevin?

Both A and B. Signup and view all the answers

What was the main issue in Mathews v. Eldridge?

Whether the due process rights of Mr. Mathews had been violated by loss of social security disability benefits without an in-person pre-termination evidentiary hearing. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following are included in the Mathews v. Eldridge balancing test laid out by the Court?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

In Brady v. Maryland, what did the Court hold that due process requires in a criminal case?

The prosecution must disclose any evidence in its possession that could help exculpate the defendant or reduce his penalty. Signup and view all the answers

All but which statement constitutes the Court's reasoning in Brady?

Suppression of evidence does not violate the Due Process clause Signup and view all the answers

The proportionality language in Rule 26(b) (as discussed in Robertson v. People Magazine) requires the court to balance competing interests in discovery requests.

True Signup and view all the answers

What materials are subject to discovery under Rule 26(b)(1)?

Materials that are non-privileged, relevant to a claim or defense, and proportional to the needs of the case. Signup and view all the answers

In Robertson v. People Magazine, the Court determined the plaintiff's discovery requests were:

Disproportionate to the needs of the case, because the plaintiff's requests were burdensome and overbroad and of limited relevance to her employment discrimination claims. Signup and view all the answers

In Connick v. Thompson, the majority opinion holds that lack of training for the young lawyers in Brady violations is:

Acceptable, because lawyers are in a special position and show up competent due to their background training. Signup and view all the answers

What was the issue the Court decided in Gideon v. Wainwright?

Whether the 6th Amendment right to appointed counsel applies to states as well as the federal government. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a rule developed by the majority in Strickland v. Washington?

Ineffective assistance of counsel is established by means of a checklist Signup and view all the answers

The majority opinion of Morrissey v. Brewer contains all but which of the following?

Due process does not apply to parole revocation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best states the rule from Lassiter v. Dep't of Social Services?

An indigent litigant has the right to appointed counsel for parental termination proceedings. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Goldberg v. Kelly

Central issue: Violation of due process rights for Mr. Kelly, a public welfare recipient, denied benefits without a hearing.
Court decision: Welfare benefits are recognized as property rights under the Due Process clauses of the US Constitution.
Entitlements for welfare recipients include: notice of termination reasons, evidentiary hearing before termination, and decision by a neutral party.
The Court affirms some governmental benefits can be terminated without a hearing.

Sniadach v. Family Finance Corp.

Main issue: Violation of Ms. Sniadach's due process rights due to wage garnishment without prior challenge opportunity.
Court ruling: Basic requirement for due process includes notice and a prior hearing.

Fuentes v. Shevin

Central issue: Violation of Ms. Fuentes' due process rights due to repossession of property without a chance to contest the action.
Court reasoning: Possessing title is not necessary to recognize a property interest; a possessory interest suffices.

Mathews v. Eldridge

Key issue: Violation of Mr. Mathews' due process rights due to loss of social security benefits without an in-person hearing.
Mathews v. Eldridge balancing test involves: private interest affected, risk of erroneous deprivation, and government burdens of additional procedures.

Brady v. Maryland

Court ruling: Due process mandates prosecution disclosure of evidence favorable to the defendant or affecting sentencing.
Court reasoning excludes the assertion that suppression of evidence does not violate the Due Process clause.

Robertson v. People Magazine

Rule 26(b) requires balancing interests in discovery requests between fairness and efficiency.
Discovery materials must be: non-privileged, relevant to claims or defenses, and proportional to the case needs.
Court's finding: Plaintiff's discovery requests were excessive and irrelevant to discrimination claims.

Connick v. Thompson

The opinion asserts that lack of training on Brady violations for young lawyers is acceptable due to their inherent competence.

Gideon v. Wainwright

Core issue: Applicability of the 6th Amendment right to appointed counsel to state courts.

Strickland v. Washington

A key rule: Ineffective assistance of counsel cannot be established simply through a checklist approach.

Morrissey v. Brewer

Majority opinion states that due process requirements do apply to parole revocation cases.

Important ruling: Defines conditions under which an indigent individual's right to counsel must be provided in civil cases (full context not provided).

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Description

Test your knowledge on key legal concepts from Law 401, including pivotal cases like Goldberg v. Kelly. This quiz focuses on the due process rights related to welfare benefits and their legal implications. Enhance your understanding of constitutional law as you prepare for your midterm exam.