Diary of a Mad Law Professor

Our Dangerous Devotion to Eyewitness Testimony

Our Dangerous Devotion to Eyewitness Testimony Our Dangerous Devotion to Eyewitness Testimony

From Sacco and Vanzetti to Troy Davis, witnesses to crime scenes get it wrong too often. So why did the Supreme Court just make it harder to challenge such evidence in court?

Jan 18, 2012 / Column / Patricia J. Williams

The Dangerous Defense Bill Heading Toward Obama’s Desk

The Dangerous Defense Bill Heading Toward Obama’s Desk The Dangerous Defense Bill Heading Toward Obama’s Desk

The National Defense Authorization Act would authorize indefinite military detention for US citizens, stripping Americans of their constitutional rights.

Dec 14, 2011 / Column / Patricia J. Williams

Do We Have Any Right to Privacy Outside Our Homes?

Do We Have Any Right to Privacy Outside Our Homes? Do We Have Any Right to Privacy Outside Our Homes?

The Department of Justice has told the Supreme Court that police should be allowed to secretly put GPS devices on our cars. But we have already surrendered more privacy than we rea...

Nov 22, 2011 / Column / Patricia J. Williams

Sex, Lies and the DSK Case

Sex, Lies and the DSK Case Sex, Lies and the DSK Case

Yes, rape cases are notoriously difficult to prove. But in the DSK case, the criminal justice system worked.

Aug 31, 2011 / Column / Patricia J. Williams

Slouching Towards Faux Slouching Towards Faux

From Dominique Strauss-Kahn to Casey Anthony to Rupert Murdoch, the media are debasing the public conversation—and therefore our democratic process.

Jul 13, 2011 / Column / Patricia J. Williams

Are We Worried About Storm’s Identity—or Our Own? Are We Worried About Storm’s Identity—or Our Own?

Americans love to say “We're all just people.” So why are we so bent out of shape by not knowing a child’s gender?

Jun 1, 2011 / Column / Patricia J. Williams

Gender Trouble Gender Trouble

Transgender people face assaults that run the gamut from physical to emotional. It's past time to resolve our society's discomfort with those outside the gender binary.

May 4, 2011 / Column / Patricia J. Williams

Axis of Fundamentalism: Gainesville to Mazar-i-Sharif

Axis of Fundamentalism: Gainesville to Mazar-i-Sharif Axis of Fundamentalism: Gainesville to Mazar-i-Sharif

With all due respect to the First Amendment, we need to be careful about incendiary public speech.

Apr 7, 2011 / Column / Patricia J. Williams

License and Liberty License and Liberty

The Supreme Court has ruled that the Westboro Baptist Church can't be punished for picketing at funerals. Is this really a win for free speech?

Mar 10, 2011 / Column / Patricia J. Williams

The Tiger Mama Syndrome The Tiger Mama Syndrome

The real dilemma in Amy Chua's book is how to survive in a world in which the slightest nonconformity risks landing you out of a job, a home, a life.

Feb 3, 2011 / Column / Patricia J. Williams

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