Some Suggested Readings: How to Read an Opinion and Impeachment.

I'll be away from the blog next week, so I thought I might provide some suggestions for law-related reading while I am away.

While I know some of my readers did go to law school, most of you did not.  I have referred and will continue to refer to court opinions, mostly the U. S.  Supreme Court and the federal appellate courts.  Reading an opinion for the first time can be intimidating, but it's well worth the effort.  Happily, I just came across a wonderful piece by Orin Kerr, a professor at George Washington Law School, entitled "How to Read A Legal Opinion: A Guide For New Law Students".  A model of clarity, it gives you all you need to try your hand at opinion reading.  You can read it here (click on the link and then click "Download this Paper").

I have just finished reading Impeachment: A Handbook by Charles L. Black, Jr. Originally written in the spring of 1974 before the Nixon impeachment, this marvelously lucid 69-page book (80 if you count the Appendices) gives you everything you need to know about the procedure of impeachment, what is (or might be) an impeachable offense, and the role of courts in impeachment.  At less than $10 from Amazon (paperback or e-book), I think it deserves a place on everyone's reading list.  Of course, we don't know if the Trump presidency will come to that, but if you read Black's book you'll be an informed citizen if that day comes.

Finally, check out LII at Cornell Law School.  Whether it's the Constitution, U. S. Code, U. S. Supreme Court, or Wex, their Wikipedia-like legal dictionary and encyclopedia, it's just a fantastic resource for legal information.  It has its own place on my desktop.

Enjoy, and I'll be back the week after next.
  



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