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A Vicious Cycle: Juvenile Fines and Fees in Kansas

 Dahnika Shortcomments editorDahnika is a 3L at the University of Kansas School of Law.  She earned her undergraduate degrees in life sciences and women’s studies from Kansas State and in nursing from the University of Kansas.  Outside of law school, Dahnika enjoys all things…

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Quantity v. The Right Quantity: A Greater Quantity of Contraband Than a Lesser Charge Demands Can Support the Lesser Charge

Alex Speakar, Staff EditorState v. Scheuerman, No. 122,253 (Kan. Jan. 14, 2022) [pdf].Issue: Under K.S.A. § 21-5705(a)(1) and (d)(3)(B), different amounts of methamphetamine are required for different levels of felony charges.  When the statute's plain language requires that an individual must…

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Occupational Licensing Laws: Threading the Needle Between Consumer Protection and the Constitutional Right to Earn a Living

 Marshall StulaComments editorMarshall is a 3L at University of Kansas School of Law. He is a second-career law student with nearly a decade in various operational management roles. Outside of law school, Marshall enjoys watching sports, playing fantasy football, and spending time with his…

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Challenging Prior Convictions in Kansas Sentencing: Who Has the Burden, and When?

Jeremiah Kemper, Staff EditorState v. Roberts, No. 121,682, (Kan. Nov. 19, 2021) [pdf]Issue: Under K.S.A. § 21-6814(c), when a defendant challenges the constitutionality of their prior convictions at or before their initial sentencing hearing, the State has the burden of proving any disputed…

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Bostock’s Aftershock: Intersectional Discrimination Claims Following Bostock v. Clayton County

 Griffin AlbaughComments EditorGriffin is a 3L at the University of Kansas School of Law. He earned his undergraduate degree in history from the University of Kansas. After graduation, Griffin will be working in Kansas City within the field of Labor and Employment law. Outside of law school,…

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Prison Gerrymandering: The Practice of Counting Inmates as Residents for Political Representation and the State Action Needed to End It

 Katie DeutschComments EditorKatie is a 3L at the University of Kansas School of Law. She earned her undergraduate degrees in Economics and Political Science from Wichita State University. Katie is interested in civil litigation, particularly surrounding employment law. Outside of law school,…

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The Criminal Restitution Statutes: Severing the Problematic Portions to Protect the Right to a Jury

Sarah Schmitz, Staff EditorState v. Arnette, No. 112,572, (Kan. Oct. 15, 2021) [pdf].Issue: Under Kan. Stat. Ann. § 21-6604(b)(2) and Kan. Stat. Ann. § 22-3424(d)(1), criminal restitution shall be collected and enforced as a civil judgment pursuant to Kan. Stat. Ann. §§ 60-4301–4304.1 Do these…

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Cumulative Error Analysis: Why Courts Need to Consider the Benefit Received by Opposing Party when Prejudicial Information is Presented

Stephany Rohleder, Staff EditorState v. Taylor, No. 118,792, (Kan. Oct. 8, 2021) [pdf].Issue:  The Kansas Court of Appeals found five errors when Taylor appealed his criminal conviction.  Four errors were not reversible either collectively or individually.  Was the Kansas Court of…

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Just a Start: Executive Pardons and COVID-19 in Kansas

 Dahnika ShortComments EditorDahnika is a 3L at the University of Kansas School of Law.  She earned her undergraduate degrees in life sciences and women’s studies from Kansas State and in nursing from the University of Kansas.  Outside of law school, Dahnika enjoys all things…

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DNA Testing: Important Enough for Extended Jurisdiction and Too Important to Wait for Final Sentencing

Author: Kat Girod, Staff EditorState v. Thurber, No. 122,739, (Kan. Aug. 13, 2021) [pdf].Issue:Does Kan. Stat. Ann. § 21-2512 extend a district court’s jurisdiction to consider a petition for DNA testing after the case has been appealed and before final sentencing? Answer:Yes, Kan. Stat. Ann…

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