Faculty in the News
Selected faculty quotes and stories about USC Law in recent media.
December 30, 2004
Indianapolis Star-Tribune
Prof. Susan Estrich wrote a column about the tragedy in South Asia. "How do you get your head around the unimaginable? I look at the countries on the map that have been most affected by the tsunami. I have never been to any of them. I did not know what they were like before. I cannot imagine them now. The idea of little orange earthquake kits protecting them against what they faced seems laughable, silly and ridiculous."
December 29, 2004
Los Angeles Times
In a story about a hearing to determine whether molestation accusations against Michael Jackson from 1993 will be allowed in the current case, Prof. Tom Lyon said the judge will "almost certainly" admit such evidence under terms of a state law dating to the mid-1990s. "The prior allegations are sure to have an effect on the jury," Lyon said. "They may be convinced that one or two children may be coached, but it's a lot harder for the defense to argue that the prior allegations are similarly false."
December 28, 2004
Press Enterprise
Prof. David Cruz was quoted in a story about California's new laws that give same-sex couples broad rights. "It's huge," Cruz said of the advance for the gay community. "It regularizes the legal recognition of same-sex partnerships. It puts in place many rules that heterosexual couples don't have to worry about."
December 23, 2004
Christian Science Monitor
Prof. Elizabeth Garrett was quoted in a story about the Los Angeles mayoral race. "It's unclear whether residents in Los Angeles and those across America are investing much interest in who gets to be mayor here, but they should," she said.
December 22, 2004
KNBC-TV
Dean Matthew Spitzer discussed the legal issues surrounding the ongoing battle between Yahoo! and the family of a killed soldier. The dispute is over access to the man's email.
December 22, 2004
NewsDay
Prof. Jean Rosenbluth commented on the trial of two men accused in one of the country's deadliest human smuggling attempts. Rosenbluth said that the jury's requests for evidence and definitions of legal concepts during deliberations shows that the jurors are paying close attention to the case's details. This Associated Press story was carried widely.
December 21, 2004
Fox News
Prof. David Cruz was a guest on "Fox Special Report with Brit Hume," discussing the recently passed Prop. 69 in California which allows police to collect DNA from anyone arrested for a felony. "Prop 69 not only allows you to get this information from a person by swabbing inside their mouth, but also if the California Department of Justice says so by taking blood samples."
December 19, 2004
San Jose Mercury News
Prof. Elizabeth Garrett was quoted in a story about the mounting problems of Secretary of State Kevin Shelley and Senate Leader Don Perata, which are likely to fuel Republican Gov. Schwarzenegger's growing appetite to curb the power of Democrats. Garrett said a number of circumstances including corruption investigations in the Los Angeles mayor's race -- may underscore the need for change among voters. 'The ethics difficulties of Perata and Shelley reinforce voters' alienation from and distrust of government,' Garrett said.
December 19, 2004
Reuters TV
Prof. Elizabeth Garrett was interviewed about a grassroots effort to amend the Constitution to allow foreign-born citizens to run for president, specifically Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. She also commented on Schwarzenegger's first year in office.
December 16, 2004
Bakersfield Californian
Prof. Michael Brennan was quoted in a story about a quintuple murder case against a former Bakersfield school official. Brennan discussed whether it's legal for a public defender to help the suspect's private attorney. Hiring a public defender as the second lawyer could actually save the public defender's office money, since they'd only have to fund one attorney, Brennan said. The Associated Press also ran the story. It ran in numerous publications including the San Jose Mercury News and Contra Costa Times.
December 16, 2004
Los Angeles Times
Prof. Jennifer Urban weighed in on a judge's decision to dismiss the heart of a lawsuit filed by auto insurer Geico against search engine giant Google, Inc. Geico wants Google to stop selling ads from rival insurers that come up when "Geico" is searched. Urban praised the judge's ruling, saying people know that when they type a name into a search engine, they get a list of results.
December 16, 2004
KPCC
Prof. Daniel Klerman was a guest on "Air Talk"commenting on file sharing and the movie industry. Klerman participated in a discussion on the Motion Picture of America Association's decision to file suits against individuals who host servers accessed via eDonkey, BitTorrent and Direct Connect, peer-to-peer computer file-sharing networks that facilitate the transfer of pirated films.
December 16, 2004
Indianapolis Star
Prof. Susan Estrich wrote an opinion piece that praised the jury's decision to sentence Scott Peterson to death. "In explaining their decision this week, the jurors who spoke to the press repeatedly emphasized the betrayal of trust that was at the core of the Peterson case," Estrich wrote.
December 16, 2004
KABC-TV
Prof. Michael Brennan was interviewed about the death penalty and the Scott Peterson case.
December 15, 2004
Metro News Network
Prof. Jean Rosenbluth was interviewed about the Scott Peterson case. Her comments were carried on radio stations throughout the country.
December 14, 2004
Agence France Presse
Prof. Jean Rosenbluth said she was surprised the jury in the Scott Peterson case gave him the death penalty. "I was surprised because this is someone with no criminal record and there were dozens of witnesses who testified during the sentencing phase that he has done a lot of good things in his life," she said. "The evidence presented was circumstantial, but the speed of this jury during the guilty phase indicated that they don't have too many doubts about his guilt." Rosenbluth was also interviewed by Metro News Network about the sentence.
December 14, 2004
The New York Times
Prof. Ehud Kamar was quoted in a story about Oracle Corp.'s $10.3 billion takeover of PeopleSoft Inc. He said the Oracle deal looks "particularly susceptible to integration difficulties." This Associated Press story was carried widely, in publications such as Forbes, The Miami Herald, Detroit News and the Australian.
December 13, 2004
KFWB Radio
Prof. Jean Rosenbluth and Prof. Michael Brennan were interviewed about the Scott Peterson death penalty decision.
December 13, 2004
KFI Radio
Prof. Jean Rosenbluth and Prof. Michael Brennan were interviewed about the Scott Peterson death penalty decision.
December 10, 2004
NPR
Prof. Christopher Stone commented in a story on "Day to Day" about the societal impact of baseball slugger Barry Bonds using steroids. Stone said if we decide Bonds did steroids, we don't just damage him, we damage ourselves. "If someone says Barry Bonds is a ne'er-do-well, you're calling into doubt records, the testimony of your own eyes when you've seen this guy hit a long ball, the occasions of applause that are part of our being there. It really gets close to the core of our being, and these beliefs that are close to our core are very hard to dislodge. We set up barriers to preserve them intact."
December 8, 2004
USA Today
Prof. Kevin Murphy's comment that Michael Ovitz's salary at Disney was "unusually generous" was mentioned in a story about the employment case.
December 6, 2004
BusinessWeek
In a story about how religions affect economic growth, Prof. Timur Kuran of the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences and Law School argued that development in Muslim countries has been hindered historically by certain rules of the Koran. For instance, Koranic inheritance law long forbade a father from passing a business on to a favored son but required him to divvy up the legacy among all children. That made it harder to set up corporations and stymied economic growth.
December 4, 2004
Los Angeles Times
Prof. Jean Rosenbluth commented on a raid by investigators at Michael Jackson's palatial Neverland Ranch less than two months before the scheduled start of the pop star's trial on charges of child molestation and conspiracy. While not unprecedented, an exhaustive search so close to the beginning of a major trial is "fairly unusual," Rosenbluth said. "It's certainly curious," she said. "I've got to believe that in the course of their investigation, they've developed leads they didn't have before."
December 3, 2004
San Francisco Chronicle
Prof. Mary Dudziak wrote an opinion piece about the likelihood of Roe v. Wade being overturned with the appointment of new Supreme Court justices. Dudziak wrote that the "heart and soul" of Roe was overturned in 1992 when the court inserted a test that said, "Only those restrictions that placed an 'undue burden' on the right to choose would be questioned."
December 2, 2004
The Press Enterprise
Prof. Scott Altman was quoted in a story about a lawsuit that aims to give fathers more child-custody rights after a divorce. Altman said parents who divorce often share legal custody, but judges decide whether a child will live with one parent most of the time.
December 1, 2004
Los Angeles Times
Prof. Elizabeth Garrett was quoted in a story about how shopping-center mogul Rick Caruso has decided to personally finance a drive to place a half-cent sales tax increase on the May ballot if the City Council refuses to put it there. The tax would be used to hire new police officers. Garrett predicted that Caruso - who is a member of the Los Angeles Police Commission - could easily get a tax measure on the ballot if he were willing to pay.
November 29, 2004
The Washington Post
Prof. Kevin J. Murphy of the Marshall School and Law School was quoted in a story about drug maker Merck & Co.'s plan to guarantee large severance packages to 230 top executives if the company merges or is taken over. Murphy said a red flag needs to be raised anytime a so-called "change-of-control plan" is adopted after a company has hit bad times.
November 28, 2004
Honolulu Star-Bulletin
Prof. Jean Rosenbluth commented on a Hawaii law that allows judges to preside over family members' cases. Rosenbluth said motions to disqualify a judge rarely succeed. "It's almost always up to the judge to decide whether he recuses himself," said Rosenbluth. Unless a party can show evidence of bias, "you're not going to prevail. It's a tricky thing."
November 28, 2004
Honolulu Star-Bulletin
Prof. Michael Brennan commented on a Hawaii law that allows judges to preside over family members' cases. Brennan said the easiest solution would be for the judge to ask to be reassigned or to "take a leave pending resolution of the family member's case."
November 23, 2004
Bakersfield Californian
Prof. Jean Rosenbluth was quoted in a story about a former mayor who was arrested for child molestation but so far not charged. Rosenbluth said it's not uncommon for prosecutors to take their time in filing charges tied to high-profile arrests. That's what prosecutors did in celebrity cases like Michael Jackson's and Phil Spector's, and Rosenbluth said the strategy applies on a local level. "They want to make sure they get it right," she said.
November 18, 2004
La Opinion
Prof. Ehud Kamar weighed in on the Kmart-Sears merger. He said shareholders of both companies should have no problem accepting the merger because they are equal beneficiaries. "This is a business in which the companies and the shareholders gain and the result was seen immediately in the reaction in Wall Street: Kmart and Sears stocks increased," said Kamar.
November 18, 2004
KNX-Radio
Prof . Elizabeth Garrett was interviewed about a grassroots effort to amend the Constitution to allow foreign-born citizens to run for president, specifically Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. She also commented on Schwarzenegger's first year in office.
November 17, 2004
ABC News
Prof. Elizabeth Garrett was interviewed on "Good Morning America" about the possibility of Gov. Schwarzenegger running for president. Garrett said Schwarzenegger has always aimed for the top.
November 16, 2004
North County Times
Prof. Jean Rosenbluth was quoted in a story about a defense attorney who faces a series of charges relating to his suspected production of methamphetamine. "If I was a defendant, I certainly wouldn't want to be represented by someone in this situation," Rosenbluth said.
November 16, 2004
CNN
Prof. Elizabeth Garrett was interviewed on "Inside Politics" about a grassroots effort to amend the Constitution to allow foreign-born citizens to run for president, specifically Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. She also commented on Schwarzenegger's first year in office.
November 16, 2004
CBS
Prof. Elizabeth Garrett was interviewed on "The Early Show" about a grassroots effort to amend the Constitution to allow foreign-born citizens to run for president, specifically Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. She also commented on Schwarzenegger's first year in office.
November 15, 2004
Los Angeles Daily Journal
Prof. Niels Frenzen was quoted in a story about the announced resignation of Attorney General John Ashcroft. Frenzen said Ashcroft will be remembered in a "very poor light."
November 15, 2004
The Associated Press
Prof. Elizabeth Garrett was quoted in a story about how Gov. Schwarzenegger hasn't fulfilled his promise to create a more open government. Day-to-day operation is not much different than it was before, Garrett said.
November 14, 2004
Associated Press
Prof. Elizabeth Garrett was quoted in a story looking at Gov. Schwarzenegger's first year in office. Asked if Schwarzenegger has broken the tradition of closed-door deal making he promised to end, Garrett said: "We have yet to see that. In terms of the day-to-day operation of government, it doesn't look that much different from what we've seen before." This story ran in numerous publications
November 12, 2004
New York Daily News
Prof. Michael Brennan was interviewed by numerous media about the Scott Peterson verdict. Brennan said that Peterson, who was convicted of murdering his wife and unborn child, could face the death penalty is he doesn't take the stand during the penalty phase. "The best way for him to avoid the death penalty is for him to get on the stand and admit it," said Brennan. As far as Peterson's appeal, Brennan said: "His defense at trial was 'I didn't do it.' On appeal, the most substantive argument is going to insufficiency of evidence." Brennan was also interviewed on KNX and KFWB news radio stations and KTLA. (Nov. 12-13, 2004)
November 12, 2004
KFWB Radio
Prof. Jean Rosenbluth was interviewed about the Scott Peterson verdict. She spoke about the key pieces of evidence for the prosecution and what the impact on appeal might be. She also discussed the jury turmoil during deliberations.
November 10, 2004
Bloomberg
Prof. Elizabeth Garrett was quoted in a story about the resignation of U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft. Garrett said Ashcroft was a hero for conservative Christians and those who believed that terrorism had to be fought "with new definitions of constitutional provisions." But Garrett thought the Justice Department under Ashcroft"systematically undermined the Constitution" to root out terrorists. She also was interviewed by CBC Asia on the resignation.
November 9, 2004
Los Angeles Times
Prof. John Matsusaka was quoted in a story about environment-related propositions on the Nov. 2 ballot. Matsusaka said environmental groups will probably follow Colorado's lead after voters approved a measure that requires 10 percent of the state's energy to come from renewable resources.
November 5, 2004
Sacremento Bee
Prof. Elizabeth Garrett was interviewed about ballot propositions and direct democracy. Garrett said direct democracy's popularity has grown as legislative races became less competitive. "If the Legislature were more representative of the people ... they would turn to the Legislature more," she said. renewable resources.
November 4, 2004
San Mateo County Times
Prof. John Matsusaka was quoted in a story about voters' willingness to borrow money, but reluctance to raise their taxes. Matsusaka said he wonders if voters realize that they actually have to pay back the bond money.
November 3, 2004
U.S. News & World Report
Prof. Susan Estrich was featured in a story about the networks' coverage of the election. Estrich spoke about early exit polling.
November 3, 2004
National Public Radio
Prof. Elizabeth Garrett was interviewed on "Election 2004" about election reforms and possible legal challenges to the votes. Separately, she was a guest on NPR's "Tavis Smiley Show." She was also quoted in stories by The Washington Post, The Mercury News, Agence France-Presse and the Knight Ridder/Tribune.
November 3, 2004
CNN
Prof. John Matsusaka was interviewed about the unanimous passage of marriage initiatives banning same-sex marriages across the country. "I don't believe there's ever been a case where 13 measures with almost identical language all passed by strong majorities across the country. So this is the most clear message you're going to get from the ballot process." Matsusaka also appeared on Fox News' "The Big Story with John Gibson" speaking about how ballot measures fared.
November 3, 2004
CNBC
Prof. Elizabeth Garrett discussed ballot initiatives on "Closing Bell." The same-sex marriage bans passed and marijuana legalization in Alaska failed, she said. Garrett also discussed young people's voting patterns on KNBC-TV
November 3, 2004
United Press International
Prof. John Matsusaka was quoted extensively in a story about ballot measures that passed across the country. He said Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger probably helped the passage of California's stem cell proposition.
November 1, 2004
National Public Radio
Prof. John Matsusaka was interviewed on National Public Radio's "Talk of the Nation" about the impact of ballot initiatives on voter turnout and the presidential race. Matsusaka was also quoted in a Christian Science Monitor story and interviewed on "Democracy Now!" about ballot measures.
November 1, 2004
KPCC
Professor Elizabeth Garrett was interviewed on the number of initiatives on the California ballot this year. She said 16 ballot measures is actually lower than the average of 18 in the state.
November 1, 2004
Knight Ridder
Schwarzenegger's track record so far shows his focus has been more on initiatives - the "stick" he often lords over the Democrat-controlled Legislature - than on candidates, said Professor Elizabeth Garrett . "He can't afford to lose many propositions because the way he governs is by threat of initiative," she said. This Knight-Ridder story ran in numerous publications.
October 31, 2004
Salt Lake Tribune
Professor Elizabeth Garrett commented on how initiatives have faced a tough battle in Utah historically. Garrett said only 18 initiatives have made the ballot since the Legislature passed a law implementing citizen referendums in 1917. And of that number, just four have passed. "That's a success rate of 22 percent, well below the national rate of 45 percent," said Garrett. "And because Utah has made it more difficult and created the new distribution requirement, I doubt it will ever have a real robust initiative process."
October 31, 2004
San Francisco Chronicle
Come Tuesday night, voters must resist what Professor Elizabeth Garrett calls the liberating ease of the "defensive no" vote. That's a non-deliberative "no," perhaps offered as payback for weeks of television ads, direct mailers and the inference that it's all up to us, the people, to keep the eagle's wings aloft over the Golden State.
October 30, 2004
Riverside Press-Enterprise
Dean Matthew Spitzer was quoted in a story about a claim filed by the National Republican Congressional Committee against two KFI talk show hosts. The claim alleges that the hosts violated campaign law by urging listeners to vote for a particular political candidate. Spitzer said the radio hosts do not appear to be doing anything prohibited by the Federal Communications Commission. "The fact that they are a show on a corporately owned station doesn't change anything," he said. KFI also interviewed Spitzer.
October 29, 2004
Sacremento Bee
Professor Elizabeth Garrett was quoted in a story about multimillionaires who have bankrolled three California propositions. "The ability to set the agenda is a valuable commodity. But we allocate positions on the ballot based on money," she said.
October 29, 2004
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Professor Elizabeth Garrett was quoted in a story about Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's popularity. "One of the things we may have all overlooked in the campaign is that he's not just an actor, he's a businessman --- and a very good businessman," she said.
October 29, 2004
Roll Call
Professor Elizabeth Garrett discussed how many state ballot measures are turning into national issues.
October 26, 2004
The Recorder
Prof. Christopher Stone commented on a recent opinion by the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals not to grant legal standing to the world's whales, dolphins and porpoises. Stone, who is author of "Should Trees Have Standing? And Other Essays on Law, Morals and the Environment," said that although the court declined to give cetaceans the right to seek redress in court, the ruling does have a silver lining. "It does acknowledge that animals at least could constitutionally have standing," Stone said. "That's a major step."
October 26, 2004
CNN
Prof. Elizabeth Garrett appeared on"Newsnight with Aaron Brown" to discuss pre-election expectations. Garrett said that while it used to be"pocketbook" issues that drove people to the polls, now it's international issues. Garrett was also interviewed for a Mercury News story about Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's stance on ballot measures.
October 25, 2004
The New York Times
Business and Law Professor Kevin J. Murphy was an expert witness in the lawsuit filed by Disney stockholders against the company's board over Michael Ovitz's severance package. Murphy called the package "unreasonable." This story was covered by numerous publications and wire services, including the Associated Press and Reuters.
October 24, 2004
Los Angeles Times
Professor Elizabeth Garrett was quoted in a story about special interest groups funding campaigns against politicians. Garrett said spending money on a message is one way to make it credible. "In politics, one way to make your message credible is to put money behind it," Garrett said. "It shows you're serious."
October 24, 2004
Sacramento Bee
Professor Elizabeth Garrett was quoted about the numerous measures on next month's ballot . She said only 35 percent of propositions in California have passed since 1914 and voters mark "no" when they have doubts about a measure. She said measures the Legislature puts on the ballot enjoy a much higher approval rate because voters have more faith in laws written by lawmakers.
October 24, 2004
Los Angeles
Professor John Matsusaka, president of the Initiative & Referendum Institute at USC, was quoted in a story about the difficulty of explaining propositions on California's ballot. Matsusaka said the governor and legislators don't read all of the bills they vote on, but depend on trusted advisors to tell them what to do.
October 23, 2004
San Francisco
Professor Elizabeth Garrett was quoted about two measures dealing with Indian casinos. "Inherently, ballot questions are awkward ways to make these decisions," said Garrett. "Even though these things seem to have a lot of little details, a lot of them are fundamental value decisions. What do we think about gambling, the amount of it and limiting it to Indians?"
October 23, 2004
Press-Enterprise
Professor Elizabeth Garrett was quoted about challenges facing the two gaming measures. "In the end, money really can't win these battles alone," she said. "My guess is that one of the things that people will learn from this campaign is that competing ballot measures hurt everybody."
October 22, 2004
Associated Press
Professor Elizabeth Garrett was quoted in a story about Prop. 62, which would create open primaries in California, allowing only the top two finishers to move to the November election. Garrett said this is another example of voters using direct democracy to bypass state legislatures and force reform. This story was carried nationally.
October 22, 2004
Bloomberg News
Professor John Matsusaka was mentioned in a story about three California initiatives that are leading in the polls. The initiatives would fund $3 billion worth of stem cell research, tax millionaires to pay for mental health care and require businesses to provide health insurance, respectively. Matsusaka, director of the Initiative & Referendum Institute at USC, said California initiatives often set national trends.
October 20, 2004
KPCC
Professor Daniel Klerman discussed the state of the jury system in Los Angeles County as a guest on "Air Talk." Klerman's study on jury duty was mentioned. Although Los Angeles County has made progress in improving the jury system, "there's still tremendous problems," Klerman said. One problem is the low pay and court's inefficiencies. "Jury time is basically free . . . Jurors are paid a pittance." He said some jurors feel their time is being wasted because many do not get on a jury and just sit around. "There's enormous room for improvement," he said.
October 19, 2004
NBC
Professor John Matsusaka appeared on "Street Signs" and "Closing Bell," where he discussed the nations various ballot measures.
October 19, 2004
The Wall Street Journal
Professor John Matsusaka was quoted about anti-same sex marriage measures on 11 state ballots. Matsusaka said the conventional wisdom is that these measures will produce heavy turnouts of evangelical and conservative voters. African-Americans, who will mostly vote for John Kerry, also have expressed strong feelings about the issue in some surveys, Matsusaka said.
October 18, 2004
The Washington Times
Professor John Matsusaka was quoted in a story about ballot measures in 32 states. Matsusaka said he thinks its likely most of the 11 marriage measures will pass, as will Arizona Prop. 200, which would require proof of citizenship to register to vote and obtain public services.
October 17, 2004
New York Times
Professor Elizabeth Garrett was quoted in a story about the potential impact of another disputed presidential election. Once the dust has settled it may finally rouse the country to overhaul the presidential election process, she said. "If it happens one time, it's an anomaly; a second time, and it's clear there are real problems," said Garrett. "We cannot take this for every election, but if we do have another contested election, electoral reform efforts will have to be taken."
October 17, 2004
CBS
Professor Elizabeth Garrett was interviewed on the "Sunday Night Evening News" about Prop. 71, the stem cell research measure.
October 15, 2004
Los Angeles Times
Professor Michael Brennan was quoted in a story about a judge's denial of two motions filed by singer Michael Jackson's attorneys. "It's not surprising," said Brennan. "If these motions had been granted, the prosecution might not have been able to proceed. The judge would have had to be substantially persuaded."
October 14, 2004
FOX News
Professor Susan Estrich was interviewed after the final presidential debate. She said Bush did better during this debate on foreign policy than he did during the second debate. "But on domestic policy, I think Kerry killed him. I think he just creamed George Bush," she added.
October 14, 2004
South Florida Sen-Sentinel
Professor Elizabeth Garrett was quoted in a story about Wednesday's presidential debate. Garrett said the three debates evened the playing field as they two candidates head into the final weeks of the campaign. This story was carried by other Knight Ridder publications around the country.
October 13, 2004
CNN
Professor Elizabeth Garrett was interviewed on "Headline News" about soft voters and how the third and final presidential debate might influence them.
October 13, 2004
Associated Press
Polls indicate that the debates brought the candidates back to about even, said Professor Elizabeth Garrett. "They are among the most influential debates we've seen,' said Garrett. "The first debate changed the campaign. Kerry had been lagging, his campaign seemed in disarray, and he emerged as a strong leader, someone in command of policy. While the second debate was seen as a draw, it did not change that momentum. Kerry may lose; it will be a very close election. But it was threatening to become a runaway for Bush, and this has evened the playing field as we head into the final weeks of the campaign.'
October 11, 2004
Los Angeles Daily Journal
Professor Jean Rosenbluth was featured in a story about USC Law School's legal writing program, which includes instruction on writing professional e-mail. Poorly written e-mails with misspellings create a lasting impression, Rosenbluth said. "It's like having a sticker on your forehead that says, 'I'm sloppy,' and 'Don't trust me,'" she said.
October 8, 2004
CNN
The USC Law School's Conference "The 2004 Election: What Does It Mean to Campaigns and Governance?" was covered by numerous media, including CNN, National Public Radio, KPCC, KFWB, KNX-RADIO, ETTV, Metro Radio Network, the Los Angeles Times Book Review, Annenberg TV and the Daily Trojan. The evening debate watch event at the Law School was also covered by numerous television and radio media, including KCBS, KCAL, Fox News, KTLA and KFWB. Professor Elizabeth Garrett was also interviewed about undecided voters on KCAL and KCBS.
October 8, 2004
Los Angeles Times
Professor Jean Rosenbluth was quoted in a story about a motion by Michael Jackson's attorneys to remove Santa Barbara County's district attorney from the pop star's child molestation case. Rosenbluth said this type of motion is rarely filed and rarely succeeds. "I'd venture a guess that 99 percent, if not 100 percent, of the point of this motion is just to get the media to write about these charges," Rosenbluth said. This story also ran on the United Press International newswire.
October 7, 2004
San Francisco Chronicle
Professor Elizabeth Garrett was quoted in a story about the withdrawal of support for Prop. 68, a gambling measure. Garrett talked about Gov. Schwarzenegger's ability to shape elections. "Schwarzenegger is a key player in how these things work, and when he decided to oppose 68 and 70, what was already a bleak future became even bleaker," Garrett said.
October 7, 2004
San Bernardino Sun
Professor Elizabeth Garrett was quoted in a story about a ballot goof on thousands of absentee ballots in San Bernardino County. Garrett said that by sending corrected ballots along with letters explaining omissions, the county may ward off any lawsuits. "It's possible that they will dodge a bullet here," she said. Officials will have to scrutinize the ballots closely to make sure no one tries to cast two votes, Garrett said. The story also ran in the Redlands Daily Facts
October 7, 2004
The Wall Street Journal
Professor John Matsusaka, president of the Initiative and Referendum Institute at USC's Law School, was quoted in Albert P. Hunt's"Campaign Journal" column. Matsusaka said gambling, in the public eye, has evolved from a moral sin to harmless entertainment.
October 7, 2004
The New York Times
Professor Gregory Keating was quoted in a story about a battle for client files between former law partners. Keating said clients have the right to control the actual files, so it doesn't matter which firm owns the actual paper the documents are printed on.
October 3, 2004
The New York Times
Professor John Matsusaka, president of the Initiative and Referendum Institute, was quoted in a story about the 157 state ballot initiatives voters will decide next month. Matsusaka said voters are viewing casino issues through an economic lens rather than a moral one. This Reuters story appeared in several newspapers nationally.
October 2, 2004
Press Enterprise
California voters will decide whether to overhaul the state election process through Prop. 62. But they also will confront a competing initiative, Prop. 60, which would lock the current system in place. If voters pass both Prop. 62 and Prop. 60, the initiative with the most "yes" votes would become law. But Professor Elizabeth Garrett sees that scenario as unlikely. "It's a good way to defeat (Prop. 62) because when you have lots of ballot measures on the same topic, voters get confused and vote against it," she said.
October 2, 2004
San Jose Mercury News
Professor Elizabeth Garrett was quoted in a story about how the growing number of people voting by mail is changing the nature of campaigns in California and across the country. "Suddenly now, people aren't just voting on one day," said Garrett. "It's radically transforming campaigns."
October 1, 2004
The Washington Post
Professor Charles Whitebread agreed with a Virginia court judge's ruling that capital murder charges against convicted sniper John Allen Muhammad should be dismissed because his rights to a speedy trial had been violated. Whitebread said the judge's ruling was "absolutely right" because it showed that the speedy trial law does not permit prosecutors to postpone cases for use as backup or insurance trials.
September 30, 2004
The Dallas Morning News
Professor Susan Estrich was quoted in a story about reactions to Thursday's presidential debate. She said the outcome depends on the viewers and listeners, and what they took away from it. "Did [viewers] watch the whole thing? Did they get it?" Estrich asked. This story was carried nationally in several newspapers, including the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Long Beach Press-Telegram and the San Jose Mercury News.
September 30, 2004
Akron Beacon Journal
Professor Elizabeth Garrett was quoted in a story about forged signatures on petitions aimed at putting a same-sex marriage ban initiative on the Ohio ballot. Garrett, who is also affiliated with the Initiative and Referendum Institute at USC, said Republicans have tried to place the gay marriage ban on various swing state ballots as a way to increase voter turnout. debate. She said the outcome depends on the viewers and listeners, and what they took away from it. "Did [viewers] watch the whole thing? Did they get it?" Estrich asked. This story was carried nationally in several newspapers, including the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Long Beach Press-Telegram and the San Jose Mercury News.
September 29, 2004
National Public Radio
Professor John Matsusaka, president of the Initiative and Referendum Institute, was interviewed on NPR's "Talk of the Nation" about the more than 150 initiatives on 30 states' ballots. Matsusaka said the initiatives appear on ballots because legislators aren't doing what some groups think they should be doing, or because the politicians don't know what the right thing to do is.
September 27, 2004
Los Angeles Daily Journal
Dean Matthew Spitzer and Associate Dean Tom Tomlinson were quoted in Carl E. Franklin's obituary. Franklin, a law professor emeritus and vice president emeritus for financial affairs at USC, died Sept. 6. He was 93. Tomlinson said Franklin, who held six degrees, loved what the process of higher education accomplished in his life and the lives of others. "He was the perfect person to make the case to others," Tomlinson said. Friends of Franklin endowed the Carl Mason Franklin Dean's Chair in Law, which is held by Spitzer. "He wanted a way of honoring whoever the dean was," Spitzer said. Franklin was 92 years old, "but he came in every day," Spitzer said of Franklin's last months, when he was still driving himself and walking without a cane.
September 27, 2004
Los Angeles Times
Professor Elizabeth Garrett was quoted in a story about how Gov. Schwarzenegger vetoed a bill that would make undocumented immigrants eligible for driver's permits. Garrett said although she doesn't see the bill going away anytime soon, she also doesn't see any chance of it being enacted in the near future.
September 26, 2004
Press Enterprise
Professor Elizabeth Garrett was quoted in a story about two initiatives voters qualified for the November ballot that would overturn two city council decisions. Garrett said it's not unusual or inappropriate to overturn city council decisions.
September 24, 2004
Daily Trojan
In front of a crowd of nearly 40 students at USC's Law School, Professor Tom Griffith debated issues surrounding the use of affirmative action in schools. Griffith argued that affirmative action creates diversity, which can significantly improve the educational experience for all students. He said the disparity between black and white academic performances is astounding. "Black men have such problems making it and the fact that this is not part of the national debate is shocking," he said.
September 23, 2004
USA Today
Professor Elizabeth Garrett was quoted in a story about the number of ballot initiatives in this year's election. "This is certainly the heyday of the initiative process in the United States," she said. This was a Gannett News Service story.
September 22, 2004
Los Angeles Daily Journal
Professor Niels Frenzen was quoted in a story about an immigration judge's ruling that supports an Iranian peace activist's petition for permanent residency. Frenzen represented Alireza Ghazi Zahedi, who said he was wrongly jailed during the special roundup of Middle Eastern men in the months after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. "It was extremely emotional for him," Frenzen said of the decision. "He was so tense. There was so much at stake."
September 20, 2004
Time Magazine
Professor Susan Estrich was quoted and her photo ran in a Time Magazine article about the presidential election. Estrich said: "The trouble with Democrats is that we're not mean enough. So watch out."
September 20, 2004
State Capitol Journal
This November's loaded ballot in California will test the limits of both Gov. Schwarzenegger's powers of persuasion and the electorate's patience. With 16 ballot propositions this year, Schwarzenegger is simply aware of the political stakes involved with these measures, said Professor Elizabeth Garrett, director of the USC-Caltech Center for the Study of Law and Politics, said, "I think the bottom line on any position he takes on direct democracy is, he has to succeed. Winning will keep him in the game of using direct democracy and initiatives as a threat. The greater his victory, the more significant his threat.
September 18, 2004
Los Angeles Times
Despite his tough-guy image, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has quietly pursued the state's most 'permissive' parole policy in recent years, freeing 48 people convicted of murder and putting people who are more apt to approve parole on the state parole board. The story quoted from a letter Professor Mike Brennan sent to California Senate President John Burton opposing confirmation of one parole board member, Richard Loa. Brennan, who supervised three USC students representing clients before the parole board, said Loa had "cross-examined the inmates concerning the ... offense in unnecessary detail, focusing on factual issues which had no relevance to a decision concerning the inmate's possible danger to society if released on parole." Loa stepped down shortly afterward, reportedly when he learned that Schwarzenegger would not fight for his confirmation.
September 17, 2004
KNX Radio
Professor Elizabeth Garrett was quoted in a story about a recommendation by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's government-reforming California Performance Review to consolidate the state's two largest computer centers. The recommendation may have been influenced by some of the nation's largest technology companies, which stand to make millions of dollars from the proposed merger. Garrett said that whenever government officials seek expert advice from companies or groups with a vested interest in upcoming decisions, they risk conflicts of interest. "Often regulated industry or people who would benefit from decisions are the only ones with the information that public servants need," Garrett said, which makes it essential that all sides fully disclose all contacts and other information to protect the public's interest. This story ran in numerous publications including the San Jose Mercury News, Oakland Tribune and Pasadena Star-News.
September 17, 2004
Associated Press
Professor John Matsusaka, president of the Initiative and Referendum Institute at USC was quoted about Gov. Schwarzenegger's safe as well as controversial endorsements, including his opposition to employer-mandated health insurance and his opposition to amending the state's "three strikes" law, so that only violent or serious felonies would require life sentences. "Schwarzenegger has really stuck his neck out," said Matsusaka, who hold a joint appointment in business and law. "If he wins, he's in great shape. If he loses, he's burned some of his capital." This story ran in numerous newspapers including the San Francisco Chronicle, Newsday, Indianapolis Star, Miami Herald and on several television news Web sites, including ABC News.
September 16, 2004
National Public Radio
Professor Niels Frenzen was interviewed on "Morning Edition" about an immigration case involving four Iranian brothers who were detained for nearly three years for allegedly supporting terrorists. An immigration appeals board ruled they are not a threat to national security and cannot be deported to Iran, but their future is still uncertain. Frenzen said that in the post-September 11 era, it's become more common for immigrants, especially many Middle Eastern men, to be detained or deported. "The standard operating procedure is 'Let's detain.' The government officers are not going to get into trouble if they decide to detain someone even if it's an erroneous decision."
September 15, 2004
Boston Globe
Professor Daniel Klerman was quoted in a story about Gov. Schwarzenegger's image. The governor recently put a stop to the sale of a gun-toting, suit-wearing bobble head doll of himself, saying it infringed on his image as an actor. But the doll's creator said that he was making a political statement with the bobble head. Klerman said that as one of Hollywood's biggest stars, Schwarzenegger has a lot to lose, but said the stars-turned-politicians often use their rights of publicity to stop criticism. "Schwarzenegger has much more at stake, much more than Reagan ever had," said Klerman. "But sometimes, politicians use rights of publicity for the wrong reasons. They want to suppress criticism."
September 15, 2004
The Los Angeles Times
Professor Michael Shapiro was quoted in a story about a Yorba Linda family who is suing their obstetrician. The family says the doctor should have tested their then-unborn Daughter for a disease that eventually paralyzed her from the knees down. The family would have considered abortion if they knew of the disease. Shapiro said when a doctor doesn't tell the parents of the state-mandated tests, he or she deprives the parents of an opportunity to choose.
September 15, 2004
The Los Angeles Times
Perhaps mindful of the politics involved, Gov. Schwarzenegger has yet to take a position on Proposition 71, which would establish a constitutional right to perform stem-cell research and authorize a bond issue of up to $3 billion to finance research. Whatever his decision, Professor Elizabeth Garrett, director of the USC-Caltech Center for the Study of Law and Politics, said Schwarzenegger is in a strong position going into the election for a number of reasons, including his popularity and the fact that he is mostly opposing measures on a long ballot. "He's still in a position of strength," Garrett said. "Voters are going to be looking at 16 initiatives, two on gambling. My expectation is that voters are going to vote 'no' on these things when they are faced with so much."
September 15, 2004
Glendale News-Press
In a story about a controversial development being considered in downtown Glendale, Professor George Lefcoe said it's important to look at a number of factors —besides how much money will be made — to determine if a project make sense. "It's an improper use of redevelopment simply to generate revenue," said Lefcoe. "That's not the purpose of redevelopment. That may be what cities are doing, but that's not what they're supposed to be doing. I would be a little skeptical of a project where the money in inevitably turns out to be a lot more than the money out."
September 15, 2004
The Hollywood Reporter
Professor Elizabeth Garrett was quoted in a story about the Republican Party's love-hate relationship with Hollywood. Garrett said that although Republicans used to make Hollywood synonymous with poor values, they use their stars whenever possible, which is why Gov. Schwarzenegger spoke on prime time during the Republican National Convention. This was a United Press International article.
September 15, 2004
Gannett News Service
Professor Elizabeth Garrett was quoted in a story about high-stakes ballot initiatives on the November ballot that could dramatically alter the legal, economic or social topography in the states where Americans live. "This is certainly the heyday of the initiative process in the United States," she said.
September 15, 2004
Riverside Press-Telegram
Professor Jean Rosenbluth weighed in on the Kobe Bryant case after the criminal rape charges were dropped against the NBA star. Rosenbluth said it's not so much that celebrities get preferential treatment, but in a run-of-the-mill case, defense attorneys may not be as assertive. "Not that corners are cut, but perhaps you stipulate to things, you don't make as many waves as you could," she said. "Kobe's lawyers fought everything, and it worked. They never rolled over. They were zealous advocates on his behalf."
September 15, 2004
United Press International
Professor Elizabeth Garrett said anti-Hollywood comments are standard Republican rhetoric. "It was the old use by the Republican Party of the 'liberal' label as a harmful label," Garrett said, "and tying that to the Hollywood label -- which I think is supposed to be a shorthand for dubious values." However, Garrett added that the Republican Convention's handling of the Hollywood issue was "full of tensions and contradictions," particularly in light of Schwarzenegger's high-profile speaking slot and the actor's mention of Hollywood icon John Wayne as one of his heroes. "So it's not as if the Republicans don't have their own Hollywood stars," she said.
September 15, 2004
The San Francisco Chronicle
Professor David Cruz was quoted in a story about how gay rights advocates and the city of San Francisco are working to persuade a California court that denying same-sex couples the ability to marry violates the state's Constitution. Cruz said the question the state will have to answer is: "'Why not let these people marry?' Once a state has gone as far as California has gone, it's very difficult to articulate reasons for not letting same-sex couples enter the same civil relationship that different-sex couples do," Cruz said. "Unless the court thinks that there is simply no harm, no difference in symbolically segregating same-sex couples into something other than marriage, you will still be focusing on the discriminatory treatment and asking state to justify that exclusion." This was an Associated Press story that ran in numerous publications including the San Francisco Chronicle, the Advocate, the Pasadena Star-News and the KNBC News Web site.
September 15, 2004
The New York Times
Professor Susan Estrich was quoted in a story about the similarities between campaign attacks against Sen. John Kerry and Michael Dukakis. She said that the Dukakis campaign scrambled to deal with a shadowy wave of rumors that seemed intended to raise doubts about a candidate who was still largely unknown. "You're fighting an invisible enemy as much as anything," said Estrich, who was Dukakis' campaign manager.
September 15, 2004
The Los Angeles Times
Professor Michael Brennan was quoted in a story about the capital murder case of Stuart Alexander, the so-called "Sausage King" who gunned down three government meat inspectors in the showroom of his San Leandro plant in June 2000. Brennan said that even when the evidence against a defendant is overwhelming, as it is in the Alexander case, the death penalty issue can make it drag on months or even years longer than a noncapital case. "If this individual had been charged with a noncapital offense, I venture to say the trial would not have taken more than two to three months," Brennan said.
September 15, 2004
Reuters
Professor Elizabeth Garrett was quoted in a story about Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's new role as a high-profile politician."I've really been impressed on how much he enjoys what he's doing and how he's good at it," Garrett said. "It's very interesting to see Schwarzenegger to come in from a business background, where he was known as a good business negotiator. He brings a different set of skills into those negotiations and a different dynamic into the negotiations. He's not your typical politician." However, Garrett believes that Schwarzenegger will have to decide whether to launch an all out effort to support President Bush. "Bush is so unpopular in this state that a close embrace of Bush is not in Schwarzenegger's interest," she said. "I don't think you see him embrace Bush and I don't think you'll see him stump the nation for Bush."
September 15, 2004
Christian Science Monitor
Professor Elizabeth Garrett was quoted in a story about Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's speech at Republican National Convention. Although Schwarzenegger hasn't put California in play for President Bush, the GOP clearly wants to capitalize on his potential to broaden the party's appeal. Yet, his current role in the party nationally is a somewhat awkward one, she said. "Schwarzenegger always provides a kind of tension for the national Republican party," said Garrett. Like Rudolph Giuliani and John McCain, who are considered party mavericks with appeal beyond the traditional party base, Schwarzenegger has the potential to attract a wide swath of voters, she said. "But they are always concerned about alienating conservative elements of the party should Arnold speak about issues such as gay marriage or abortion," Garrett said.
September 15, 2004
The Gazettes:
Professor David Cruz was quoted in a story about a property-rights struggle between three breakaway Episcopal churches and the Los Angeles Episcopal diocese. He said the United States Supreme Court has ruled that state courts have jurisdiction over land disputes involving religious entities as long as the court can apply "neutral principles of law.". "As long as you are not having to decide some question of religious truth or faith, then ownership issues can be decided by courts," said Cruz, who specializes in religion and the law. He added that a congregation could conceivably get the matter out of the hands of the civil courts by making a convincing argument that the property rights are tied to religious principles. But that may not be the best strategy for a congregation at odds with the central church, Cruz said. "If they don't have the civil courts, then they will have to deal with decision of the Episcopal Church," he said.
September 14, 2004
New York Review of Books
Professor Mary Dudziak's book "Cold War Civil Rights: Race and the Image of American Democracy" was mentioned in a review of three other books on the topic. As Dudziak argues in her book, some believe the court's rejection of segregation not only reflected growing popular sentiment favoring improved conditions for blacks, but also served the interests of predominantly white political elites. "Dudziak has presented the evidence for this possibility with subtlety and care in her book... For her the Brown decision was less a constitutional interpretation than a State Department brief," the reviewer wrote.
September 14, 2004
Daily Trojan
The Congressional Budget Office predicted that the federal deficit for the current budget year will reach $422 billion, a development that could have consequences for college-age Americans, said Professor Elizabeth Garrett. "The problem with social security is that the baby boomer generation is retiring and there is less money coming into the system," said Garrett, adding that college students will be paying higher taxes, but receiving less benefits from the retirement programs. "I think [college students] should demand real solutions that demand sacrifice out of Americans -- you ought to demand more," she said.
September 14, 2004
KPCC
Professor John Matsusaka, president of the Initiative and Referendum Institute at USC's Law School and a professor of business and law at USC, was a guest on Larry Mantle's "Air Talk." He spoke about the Public Policy Institute's recently released report on "The Local Initiative in California." The report covers how propositions are used in the state and the communities that tend to generate the most of them. He also weighed in on the claim that the local initiative has become a "fourth branch of government."
September 2, 2004
Associated Press
Gay rights advocates and the city of San Francisco filed opening briefs in San Francisco Superior court protesting the denial of same-sex couples the ability to marry and how it violates the state's constitution. "The question the state will have to answer is, 'Why not let these people marry,' and once a state has gone as far as California has gone, it's very difficult to articulate reasons for not letting same-sex couples enter the same civil relationship that different-sex couples do," Professor David Cruz said. "Unless the court thinks that there is simply no harm, no difference in symbolically segregating same-sex couples into something other than marriage, you will still be focusing on the discriminatory treatment and asking state to justify that exclusion."
August 31, 2004
The Christian Science Monitor
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has become the fresh face in the Republican Party, using the right combination of qualities to attract new voters. And while the GOP clearly wants to capitalize on his potential to broaden the party's appeal, his current role is somewhat an awkward role. "Schwarzenegger always provides a kind of tension for the national Republican party," said Professor Elizabeth Garrett. "...They are always concerned about alienating conservative elements of the party should Arnold speak about issues such as gay marriage or abortion."
August 19, 2004
Indianapolis Star
Professor Susan Estrich wrote an op-ed about attacks on presidential hopeful John Kerry's record of military service in Vietnam. In order to believe the central claim of the swift boat vets, she writes, referring to a group of veterans who have aired an ad attacking Kerry's credibility, you have to call the guy who says Kerry saved his life, whom Kerry hadn't seen in three decades, a liar. You have to take on not only Kerry's account of what happened that night, but nine of the 10 men who were in his boat with him, and are still alive.
August 17, 2004
Los Angeles Daily News
Burbank city officials paid a landowner $40,000 to not lease a property to a restaurant that the city thought would be a bad fit for the area. George Lefcoe, a professor of real estate law at USC, said it was a smart move. If the city has a good redevelopment agency they should be running that area with the same degree of particular control that a shopping center developer would run a shopping center, Lefcoe said.
August 16, 2004
Los Angeles Times
A controversial redevelopment project in Oxnard, Calif., is raising questions about whether state redevelopment law plagued by controversy for decades is being used to revitalize depressed neighborhoods, as intended, or as a way for cities to divert tax money from other public agencies. "This is not about making people's lives better because they're living in decrepit conditions: It's all about money," said USC Law Professor George Lefcoe, an expert in urban planning. "That's what redevelopment has become, but that's not what it was designed to be."
August 15, 2004
New York Times
In a letter to the editor, USC Law Professor Susan Estrich argues that rape shield laws are doing their job in the Kobe Bryant case, though some contend that by allowing information about accuser's sexual history the case has highlighted problems with the current law. "A shield law won't let you brand a woman a slut to undermine her general morality, but if the prosecution is relying on bruises found in the rape exam to help prove forceful sex, and another man's semen has been found on the woman's underwear, other sexual encounters within a short enough time period to have caused those bruises are fair game to raise reasonable doubt," Estrich wrote. "The alleged victim should have been told that the day of the rape exam."
August 12, 2004
CNN's Headline News
USC Law Professor David Cruz was interviewed at length about the California Supreme Court's decision to nullify 4,000 same-sex marriages licensed by the City of San Francisco last spring. Cruz was widely interviewed on the subject by outlets including NPR's "All Things Considered,"KPCC, KPFX and the Los Angeles Daily News. He told the Daily News that the court's decision would refocus attention on the constitutionality of same-sex marriage. "We are going to see much renewed attention to the issue, as well opposition from traditionalist and family-value groups. It's really just beginning." Click here to view the clip [high speed] [low speed].
August 10, 2004
Los Angeles Times
Clifton Hutchins has been in jail for 32 months on suspicion of raping four women in Pasadena and La Crescenta, but he hopes to soon be a free man. A week before the preliminary hearing, the prosecution was unable to produce one important piece of evidence: the original search warrant used to collect evidence that led to his arrest. "The issue of the warrant is fairly important if the prosecution is relying on evidence seized under execution of the warrant," said USC Professor Michael Brennan. "The defendant has a right to be served with a copy of the warrant, and the fact that [the prosecution] can't produce it sounds like they have a problem."
August 9, 2004
San Diego Business Journal
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's description last month of Democrats as "girlie men" is just one of many rhetorical comments that has waxed and waned over the decades. "These kinds of comments we have had throughout our history. And one reason is that they are effective," said Professor Elizabeth Garrett, director of the USC-Caltech Center for the Study of Law and Politics. "It makes things salient... Being outrageous is part of his political persona."
August 5, 2004
Los Angeles Times
Anti-tax advocate Ted Costa, a leader in the charge to recall Gov. Gray Davis, announced that he has begun collecting signatures for an initiative to create a part-time legislature in California. The initiative proposal would shrink the legislative session, which runs year-round, to a 90-day session. "What you are asking is for people to govern the sixth-largest economy in the world in a part-time manner. It doesn't solve problems, it exacerbates them," says USC Law Professor Elizabeth Garrett.
August 1, 2004
The Boston Globe
Veteran politicos say that the orchestrated events of conventions and stump speeches are less likely to affect the outcome of the November election than a series of upcoming debates. "I fundamentally believe that this election will be decided in the debates," says Susan Estrich, a USC law professor who managed the Democratic campaign of Michael Dukakis in 1988. "People are waiting to hear from Kerry. All he needs to do is offer people something that makes them confident he is not a risk, that he has a plan for the future and he can be trusted."
July 31, 2004
Pasadena Star-News
Most women sentenced to Los Angeles County jail, including those convicted for violent offenses, are walking free without serving time. The little-known provision of the sheriff's early-release policy is the result of budget cuts, limited capacity for female inmates and the sheriff's determination that women pose less of a threat to the general public than men. "It's not a cut-and-dried equal-protection violation," said Carrie Hempel, a clinical professor of law at USC . "The standard for equal protection for prisoners is much lower than for someone who's not incarcerated." (This story ran in several publications.)
July 30, 2004
The Bond Buyer
Gov. Schwarzenegger's billion-dollar bond issue devised to provide a cash infusion for California in return for allowing expanded tribal gambling rights may not prevail if either Proposition 68 or 70 succeed in the November election. "Having multiple initiatives on the same topic makes passing any of them more difficult," said Elizabeth Garrett, the director of the USC-Caltech Center for the Study of Law and Politics. "The strategy of voters, when they're confused, is they tend to vote a defensive 'no.'"
July 30, 2004
Los Angeles Times
With more than $700,000 in the bank, Bob Hertzberg has rocketed ahead of the other candidates attempting to unseat Los Angeles Mayor James K. Hahn in the March 2005 election. "Long before the votes are cast, candidates break out of the field with money," said USC Law Professor Susan Estrich, who managed Dukakis' presidential campaign in 1988. "Particularly in a fragmented city like this, where you don't have the political organizations that exist in Boston or Chicago . candidates are going to use donations to show support."
July 29, 2004
Indianapolis Star
USC Law Professor Susan Estrich wrote an op-ed about the Democratic Convention, noting that everyone is bending over backward to be nice. "There is no harsh rhetoric because Democrats don't need it," wrote Estrich. "A majority of this country doesn't want to re-elect Bush, doesn't believe in his policies, doesn't trust him to lead. They don't need to be convinced of that."
July 28, 2004
San Bernardino Sun
Built by the county and maintained by the state, the Narrows section of Highway 18 clearly effected erosion in the watershed before and after the Christmas floods. On Dec. 25, lane-wide sections of the road were hurled down-slope. Greg Keating, USC law professor and a specialist in civil negligence said there appear to be at least two instances for government liability stemming from Highway 18. "One, they failed to make safer in terms of mudslides and floods. And two, they should have warned people below the highway so they could evacuate."
July 24, 2004
The San Francisco Chronicle
A Southern California Indian tribe, San Manuel Bank of Mission Indians, threw $10 million behind Proposition 70, which in addition to Proposition 68 could undo the landmark revenue-sharing deals signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and five other Indian tribes in June. Gov. Schwarzenegger vowed to protect the compacts that he has negotiated against all threats and will run his own "No" campaign against both proposition. Ultimately, the cacophony of messages on gaming may favor the compacts, said USC Law Professor Elizabeth Garrett. "The more confusion . is out in the environment, the more likely it is that voters will take a defensive 'no' position."
July 21, 2004
Newsday
Free State Project's 6,000 members, overwhelmingly consisting of upper-income men with college educations, form a vanguard of a political revolution, aiming to eradicate taxes and what they consider victimless crimes, such as prostitution, and end government controls over such things as gun ownership, zoning, hiring and firing, and educational standards. USC Professor of Political Science and Law Howard Gillman says, "It seems like the only people right now who are convinced are relatively well-off and have read a lot of Ayn Rand," referring to the writer/philosopher who denounced collectivism and preached libertarianism.
July 14, 2004
Los Angeles Times
The state 4th District Court of Appeal reversed a lower court's decision that enforced a prenuptial agreement between Warren and Carol Rosendale, saying that a husband has no right to cast off a spouse, who was severely injured in a car accident, with no support. The court agreed with Carol Rosendale's attorney, who argued that it was unconscionable for her to be treated that way. "It's extremely unlikely that the majority of the [prenuptial] agreements would be considered unconscionable," said Scott Altman, professor and associate dean at USC Law School .
July 14, 2004
Los Angeles Times
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger may call a special election next year asking voters to convert the legislature to part-time status. "Compromise is intangible," says Elizabeth Garrett, a USC law professor and director of the USC -Caltech Center for the Study of Law and Politics. "It requires repeated dealing by the same players. You have to know whom you're dealing with and you have to have a system where people owe you stuff, owe you favors so you can get compromise. And you don't have that in a part-time legislature with amateurs who meet once every two years."
July 9, 2004
Indystar.com
USC Law Professor Susan Estrich wrote in an op-ed that "by choosing John Edwards as his running mate, John Kerry has picked a man who has been fully vetted by the process; who has been tested on the trail; and who showed himself to be a winner in his first run for high office".
July 6, 2004
Press Enterprise
Some have concerns regarding the police department's "Best Witness" program, which puts camcorders into the hands of residents and business owners who are willing to record criminal activity or municipal-code violations in public places. "It's a kind of big brother-ish, and also vigilante-ish, encouraging citizens to be junior cops," said Michael Brennan, a law professor at USC. "It could also place people in danger. Gang members are not going to be happy about it."
July 1, 2004
Carnegie
USC Law Professor Mary Dudziak, author of Cold War Civil Rights: Race and the Image of American Democracy, says that to combat the fallout from photographs showing American soldiers abusing Iraqis at the Abu Ghraib prison, the United States should televise the court-martial's of the accused. Such an action, Dudziak argues, would demonstrate the "importance of the rule of law, defendants' rights, the criminal justice process, and democratic accountability."
July 1, 2004
Indianapolis Star
USC Law Professor Susan Estrich wrote an op-ed about a federal judge's decision to certify a class of 1.5 million women claiming discrimination in pay and promotions at Wal-Mart, the country's largest employer. The lawsuit, Estrich wrote, "signals a new round of major litigation that could, finally, bring real equality to working women who have yet to achieve it."
June 30, 2004
USA Today
In Murrieta, Calif., citizens dissatisfied with city government have taken the first legal steps toward a recall election of the mayor and two of the four City Council members. "Recall has always been popular at the local level," says M. Dane Waters, president of the Initiative and Referendum Institute at USC. "But since the recall of Gray Davis, we're seeing an increased interest." USC Law Professor Elizabeth Garrett added, "The recall device, as a political weapon, is now considered very salient."
June 25, 2004
Indianapolis Star
USC Law Professor Susan Estrich wrote a commentary on who she believes would make the best running mate for the presumed democratic nominee John Kerry. "It has to be Edwards," wrote Estrich. "Not that I know anything, except that I've been through it twice, and I know that in the end, there really are few choices, and often only one. This is one of those cases where there's really only been one from the start.
June 25, 2004
Fox News
On Fox News with Laurie Dhue and Rich Lowry, USC Law Professor Susan Estrich commented on a poll that indicated unfavorable ratings for President Bush. She said that in order for John Kerry to capitalize on the public's disapproval with the way things have been going with Iraq, "he needs to make his case to people. I think John Kerry hasn't made his case to people yet, and that is why Bush is sinking without Kerry meeting him."
June 25, 2004
The San Francisco Chronicle
Moving to counteract an initiative that could radically reshape the way Californians vote, the California Assembly voted to put a proposed constitutional amendment on the November ballot that would preserve a place for all political parties in each general election, regardless of how they fare in primaries. USC Law Professor Elizabeth Garrett called the proposal "a strategic move by the political parties and partisans." When voters are faced with two conflicting and confusing initiatives, they will vote against both, she said. "Voters are saying we want to change the system so that we get more moderate candidates", said Garrett, "but the parties aren't getting that message." (This story ran in several publications.)
June 22, 2004
Fox News
On Fox News with Jim Hammer and Greta Van Susteren, USC Professor Susan Estrich commented on Colorado's rape shield law in regard to Koby Bryant's lawyers' attempts to get his accuser's sexual history admitted as evidence in court. "The way you apply [the law] right is to make sure that evidence does come in when it might explain physical bruises, when it might relate to semen, when, for instance, if she had sex with other men before the physical examination," said Estrich. "If, on the other hand, you're trying to use sex to demonstrate character, or reputation, that is what the rape shield law protects you against."
June 17, 2004
The Recorder
Today's market for top law professors is competitive. According to USC Law School Associate Dean Scott Altman, USC has lost some great professors to other top schools but has made significant gains as well, including law and politics expert Elizabeth Garrett from the University of Chicago and law and economics expert Gillian Hadfield from the University of Toronto. "What really matters in the end is: Are they good scholars and are students learning here?" said Altman. "So hiring famous people is not nearly as good a strategy as hiring dedicated teachers."
June 10, 2004
Los Angeles Times
After incoming USC freshman linebacker Drean Rucker drowned last year, NCAA rules prevented USC from contacting his family during certain periods of the year and inviting the family to games or the team banquet because Rucker's brother was a potential recruit. Noel Ragsdale, USC's faculty athletic representative and a law professor, said that USC protested and received a blanket waiver from the NCAA that is in effect until the point that any USC coach actually begins recruiting Rucker's brother. Arizona University officials, who now face similarly tragic circumstances, may be able to follow USC's lead.
June 8, 2004
Press Enterprise
In Redlands and Los Angeles County, a Christian cross is getting pulled off official seals after being challenged as a religious endorsement. USC Law Professor David Cruz said that the current constitutional test for religious symbols on governmental documents is whether it is an endorsement of religion: "Is it something that an objectively reasonable observer would conclude is endorsing religion generally or a particular religion," said Cruz. He pointed out several items that could weaken the challenge: the seal is a depiction of a landmark; its use is limited; and its display is limited
May 31, 2004
Los Angeles Times
An insurance company owner has spent $1.56 million to foster a ballot initiative that would change California's three-strikes sentencing law and could free his son from Folsom prison, where he is serving eight years for crashing his Lexus and killing two passengers while intoxicated. Many initiatives in California have been "immensely personal" for their backers, said Elizabeth Garrett, a law professor and a director of the Initiative and Referendum Institute at USC. A father whose daughter was murdered in Fresno, for example, pushed for passage of the 1994 three-strikes initiative, said Garrett.
May 28, 2004
Indystar.com
Susan Estrich wrote in an op-ed that rumors and reports suggest that Iraqi women have also been victims of the Iraqi prison abuse scandal. Women, many held simply because of their association with wanted Iraqi men, have been forced to strip and were humiliated as means of interrogation. "It's what happens when the secretary of defense decides the rule of law doesn't apply, and when the White House counsel decides his job is to see how to get rid of the law instead of to convince people they have to follow it," says Estrich.
May 27, 2004
USA Today
Susan Estrich, a law professor at USC, wrote in an op-ed that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has returned bipartisanship to the government. Whether the issue is the budget, health care or even war and peace, Schwarzenegger has found that the answer lies in compromise. "In a state where both houses of the legislature, both U.S. senators and every office under the governor are held by Democrats, the Republican governor's approval rating, according to a Los Angeles Times poll, was 64%," says Estrich. "He has consistently earned favorable ratings from majorities of self-identified Democrats."
May 23, 2004
Los Angeles Times
Because home buyers often hire several agents in the hope that each will work double time to find a house but allow only one of them to succeed in making a sale, some agents began using buyer-broker compensation contracts that spell out an expiration date and what buyers can expect from their agent and vice versa. Although some question how effective the pledges may be, at the very least they set down ground rules, said George Lefcoe, a professor of real estate law at USC.
May 23, 2004
The New York Times
Alexander Capron of the USC Law School was quoted in a story that tracked the sale of a human kidney. Capron, director of the ethics department of the World Health Organization offered arguments for both sides, but said that "the line between selling organs and actually selling people is a rather fine one" and that, as in sex trafficking, the marketplace is one in which coercion and exploitation may be unavoidable.
May 17, 2004
Los Angeles Times
Despite sharing political party affiliations, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and President Bush hold conflicting views on public policies ranging from gay rights to abortion, offshore oil leases to military base closures. "Their relationship will always be fraught with the tensions that mirror the Republican Party," said USC Law Professor Elizabeth Garrett. "Bush is going to be profoundly uncomfortable with Schwarzenegger's positions on social issues."
May 17, 2004
Los Angeles Times
Amid the outrage over steroid abuse in sports, Dr. Norman Fost offers unpopular, if not unthinkable, suggestion: Athletes should be allowed to use performance-enhancing drugs. Michael Shapiro, a law professor at USC, supports Fost's views, arguing that steroids help augment strength and speed only when accompanied by hard work in the weight room or on the track. They both argue that performance-enhancing drugs are part of an evolutionary process that has seen athletes take advantage of increasingly advanced equipment, nutrition, and training techniques
May 11, 2004
North County Times
Mayor Jack van Haaster met privately with four of the city's five planning commissioners and a staff supervisor last month to discuss a preschool that his daughter is proposing to build, raising questions in the community about a possible conflict of interest. USC Law Professor Elizabeth Garrett, who specializes in administrative law, said council or commission decisions are subject to higher standards when approving or denying individual projects and permits than in passing general regulations.
May 6, 2004
San Gabriel Valley Tribute
Daniel Klerman, a law professor at USC, studied jury service participation among the California citizens. According to Klerman, in order to formulate strategies to remedy California's low juror response rates, most notably Los Angeles' dismal 9.3 percent, the courts must step up and modernize their systems for keeping track of who's being called, who is showing up, and who needs to be removed from the database.
May 6, 2004
Glendale News-Press
Elizabeth Garrett of the USC Law School was quoted in a story about how opponents of a proposed $262.4 million Americana at Brand retail and residential development in Glendale continue to collect signatures for a referendum. "Examples of fraud by paid circulators are less than you'd think," she said.
May 6, 2004
United Press International
Besides the tax and funding related issues that are expected to dominate the November ballot, social issues such as same-sex marriage, immigration, and affirmative action stormed lists of proposed ballot measures across the country. Funding-related measures are a historical staple, says USC Law Professor Elizabeth Garrett, though in retrospect they can get lost in the shuffle because they rarely spark the fiery debates social issues do.
May 5, 2004
Show: The O'Reilly Factor
According to the Annenberg poll, John Kerry's popularity continues to slip, especially in the battleground states. USC Law Professor Susan Estrich, a guest on the show, said Kerry's slip might be because of the Bush campaign's aggressive tactics. "You got $60 million that [Bush campaigners] spent," she said. "Now $60 million is usually what people spend in October, not in April. So they threw $60 million at [John Kerry]. And he dropped a couple of points."
May 4, 2004
Chicago Sun Times
A recent Princeton Review survey asking students which movie would motivate them to shell out $80,000 for law school showed that 40 percent of the respondents said " A Few Good Men ", which beat " To Kill A Mockingbird" by more than 10 percent. "Atticus' struggle [in ' To Kill A Mockingbird']. commemorates a time before the civil rights movement, whereas ' A Few Good Men ' resonates more as a fight for justice that young people can understand, in light of their experiences," explains USC Law Professor Howard Gillman.
May 1, 2004
Chattanooga Times Free Press
Michael Jackson pleaded not guilty to a grand jury indictment that expanded the child molestation case against him to include a conspiracy count involving allegations of child abduction, false imprisonment and extortion. "If he's found guilty of conspiracy, then he can be punished with the punishment of the entire crime, even if the crime itself has not been fully proved," said Dan Simon, a law professor at USC. "So it's a powerful tool in the hands of prosecutors, because all you have to prove is an agreement was made to perform a crime." Simon's interview with Associated Press ran in a number of newspapers around the country.
April 28, 2004
Los Angeles Times
Due to anti-Communist feelings among Vietnamese citizens in Garden Grove and Westminster, city officials plan to propose measures that would effectively prohibit visits by trade or government representatives from Hanoi, the Vietnamese capital. "The basic idea is: You can't suppress speech because it's unpopular," said USC Law Professor David Cruz.
April 27, 2004
NPR "Day to Day"
As hearings continue in the rape case against NBA star Kobe Bryant, groups such as Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault voice their concerns over the loss of privacy many rape victims fear if they do report to the authorities. "The danger, obviously, in these high-profile cases is that they send a message to women in lower-profile cases about what could happen to them," said Susan Estrich, a USC law professor.
April 26, 2004
The New Yorker
A review of recent books focused on the repercussions of the Supreme Court's decision in Brown v. Board of Education mentioned USC Law Professor Mary L. Dudziak's 2000 book Cold War Civil Rights , in which she argued that the courts knew that invalidating segregation would help the nation in its competition with Communist nations and undermine subversive elements at home.
April 19, 2004
The Boston Globe
USC Law Professor Susan Estrich honored Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo law firm for its commitment to providing pro bono legal services to sexual assault victims. The award was accepted by managing partner Peter Biagetti and John Markey, chairman of the firm's pro bono committee.
April 18, 2004
Los Angeles Times
In pushing through an overhaul of the state's costly workers compensation system, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger not only used his celebrity to flatter lawmakers into reaching deals, but also set tight deadlines for lawmakers to act, used the prospect of a November ballot initiative as a weapon to keep negotiations moving, and mused about curbing the Legislature's clout by pushing for a part-time body. "You have to know how to flatter, cajole and also to have threats that aren't too heavy-handed, but are credible -- the threat of the [ballot] initiative and the threat of his popularity," said USC Law Professor Elizabeth Garrett.
April 17, 2004
Marin Independent Journal
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger continues to use the threat of initiative to push through critical measures. "The fact that Schwarzenegger is making the threat so frequently and resorting to it at times gives [ballot measures] a real legitimacy," said Elizabeth Garrett, an initiatives expert at USC.
April 15, 2004
San Antonio News Express
U.S. Rep. Ciro Rodriguez filed a long-awaited lawsuit challenging a contentious recount in a primary election he lost, but he offered no specific details nor hints about the legal strategy. USC Law Professor Elizabeth Garrett said that the lack of specificity in the lawsuit doesn't mean the suit isn't a valid complaint. But specific examples of what Rodriguez alleges went wrong would bolster the case, said Garrett.
April 12, 2004
San Jose Mercury News
The new code of ethical guidelines will address whether scientists should be required to obtain the consent of descendents before testing the remains of historical figures. But Michael Shapiro, who teaches bioethics and law at USC, said he sees no need for a new set of guidelines and fears they could hamper scientific and historical research.
April 12, 2004
U.S. News and World Report
Law schools are globalizing to keep up with the workplace. In 2002, USC added an LL.M. program that now attracts 25 students a year, and nearly all are practicing lawyers from abroad. "I had foreign students last year asking tough questions about the war in Iraq and the prisoners at Guantanamo and why the United States believed it could do certain things in the face of international law," said Edwin Smith, a law professor at USC. "American students learned from listening to those perspectives."
April 8, 2004
Los Angeles Times
City attorneys are working to create an anti solicitation ordinance that would promote the use of the San Fernando Road day-laborer center without violating the free speech rights of laborers. USC Law Professor David B. Cruz agreed that a center would be a key component of any future law. "It would show [if challenged] that the city is not trying to forbid someone from entering into a commercial transaction, but that they are only trying to regulate where they do so," he said, adding the ordinance would also not show any discrimination toward any group.
April 7, 2004
San Antonio Express News
Nearly 2,000 address changes filed in advance of the March 9 primary in San Antonio raised some red flags, and an attorney for U.S. Rep. Ciro Rodriguez is preparing to challenge Rodriguez's loss in the primary if officials find an orchestrated effort to encourage voters to change their addresses in order to be able to vote in the election. "It's exceedingly rare for a new election to be granted," said Elizabeth Garrett, a law professor at USC. "We just do not have examples in this country where elections are found to be so flawed that the entire election is held again."
April 7, 2004
NPR's "Morning Edition"
After the Inglewood City Council tried to pass an ordinance banning the development of supercenters, Wal-Mart collected signatures to force a special April election on its proposal to build in the city. USC Law Professor Elizabeth Garrett says initiatives are often used to change zoning laws and city codes. "In California, in cities, in localities, it is well-known by everybody who does land-use planning that it is possible to take these questions to the people," she said.
April 1, 2004
Lookout News
Thanks to the Internet, anyone can easily find records of an entire city's political campaign donors, including information about their professions and where they live. "I think with disclosure, there is always the risk of chilling donations," said USC Law Professor Elizabeth Garrett. "On the other hand, I think it is vital in a democracy for people to know where candidates get their money because you do get less corruption."
March 31, 2004
Press Enterprise
Gay marriage is creating financial questions that go beyond the bonds of matrimony and into the heart of the tax code. In California, when a surviving husband or wife inherits a house from the deceased spouse, the property is not reassessed, according to Prop 13, the landmark property-tax law; but if one of the partners in a same-sex couple dies, the home is reassessed at its current value, said David Cruz, a USC law professor.
March 30, 2004
Christian Science Monitor
This November's battle for party control of state legislatures, say experts, is more intense than at any point in recent political history. It could mean a dramatic gain for Republicans or a shift towards the Democrats. "The majority party in any legislature has control of the agenda in a profound way," says Elizabeth Garrett, a law professor at USC. "They control what versions of bills get voted on, and what opening negotiations are between governor and legislators."
March 28, 2004
Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca backed a gambling initiative to allow slot machines at card rooms and racetracks and accepted campaign money from donors who could profi