Christopher Dunn

December 05, 2018 | New York Law Journal

In his Civil Rights and Civil Liberties column, Christopher Dunn writes: Precious little law—including no meaningful Supreme Court precedent—addresses the deployment of American troops domestically. The ongoing presence of the military in the southwest United States provides a useful opportunity to examine the little authority that exists.

By Christopher Dunn

11 minute read

October 04, 2018 | New York Law Journal

Civil Rights and Civil Liberties columnist Christopher Dunn writes: The U.S. Supreme Court opened a new term this week with a docket of important cases, including one that has earned little public attention but presents an issue that states' rights advocates long have viewed as the ultimate escape from the Bill of Rights.

By Christopher Dunn

10 minute read

August 03, 2018 | New York Law Journal

In his Civil Rights & Civil Liberties column, Christopher Dunn compares the ban on citizens of a group of predominantly Muslim countries from entering the United States, to the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II.

By Christopher Dunn

2 minute read

June 06, 2018 | New York Law Journal

Presidential pardon fever has spiked over the last week following President Donald Trump's pardon of conservative commentator Dinesh D'Souza, who had been convicted of federal finance violations, and Trump's suggestion he also might pardon former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich and lifestyle maestro Martha Stewart.

By Christopher Dunn

1 minute read

April 04, 2018 | New York Law Journal

Civil Rights and Civil Liberties columnist Christopher Dunn writes: While it's too early to predict the cases the Supreme Court might see over the 2020 Census, an examination of three of its most recent decisions provides important insights into what types of disputes might come to the court, who can bring those disputes and when, and what types of constitutional and statutory claims the cases may offer.

By Christopher Dunn

11 minute read

January 31, 2018 | New York Law Journal

In his Civil Rights and Civil Liberties column, Christopher Dunn revisits the troubling practice of denying bail to arrestees deemed to pose a threat to public safety. He writes: "The deeply controversial nature of this form of preventive detention is largely lost in the current bail-reform debate, but it was only 30 years ago that the Supreme Court definitively addressed the issue. And it did so in a decision that lays bare the extraordinary constitutional implications of jailing people, often for years, who are presumed to be innocent on the supposition they will commit a future crime.:

By Christopher Dunn

11 minute read

December 05, 2017 | New York Law Journal

Civil Rights and Civil Liberties columnist Christopher Dunn writes: Given the common practice of uniformed police officers flooding courtrooms during the criminal trials of fellow officers and the fact that spectator officers undoubtedly appear in uniform for the express goal of influencing juries and judges, it is important to consider whether this display violates a defendant's right to a fair trial.

By Christopher Dunn

11 minute read

October 05, 2017 | New York Law Journal

In his Civil Rights and Civil Liberties column, Christopher Dunn writes: Roy Moore's Alabama primary win to become the Republican candidate for a U.S. Senate seat is big news for the world of constitutional law. Moore's defiant approach to the federal courts has surfaced most dramatically around two hot-button issues: a Ten Commandments monument and gay marriage.

By Christopher Dunn

9 minute read

August 02, 2017 | New York Law Journal

Civil Rights and Civil Liberties columnist Christopher Dunn writes: Amid the tumult engulfing the White House and Congress, one easily loses sight of ominous developments emanating from the third branch of government. But the judiciary has been busy, and civil rights and civil liberties are under assault on many fronts. One of those fronts is the separation of church and state.

By Christopher Dunn

11 minute read

May 31, 2017 | New York Law Journal

In his Civil Rights and Civil Liberties column, Christopher Dunn writes: The litigation surrounding the sanctuary city executive order highlights the Trump administration's ignorance of or disregard for basic constitutional principles, the awkward position in which Justice Department lawyers find themselves, and the impact of public statements by government officials on federal judges.

By Christopher Dunn

21 minute read