Supreme Court Review

Baltimore v. Bouknight questions the power of juvenile court to protect a child in an abuse case. The defendant was ordered by a Baltimore court to produce her child for authorities. She refused under her Fifth Amendment right to protection from self-incrimination. In Oregon v. Smith, the war on drugs weighs against the First Amendment freedom of religion. Al Smith was fired from his counseling job in a drug treatment program when he used a drug in a Native American Church service. He was denied unemployment insurance because his behavior led to his firing. Interviews outside the Court with the attorneys in both cases are shown. Upcoming abortion cases and a right-to-die case are previewed as privacy rights cases. Also discussed are the effects of demonstrations and 5-4 decisons on the Court. close