Courses | Columbia Law School

Section Description Provided by Instructor

This course explores the state's relationship to families and children in a constitutional framework, exploring the basis of parental authority and the tension between this authority and the state's interest in children's welfare. It examines the unique and complex status of children and adolescents as legal persons, focusing particularly on issues of reproductive and sexual autonomy. School authority over children is also explored particularly on issues relating to restrictions on First Amendment rights in the school setting. finally the course focuses intensively on juvenile justice issues; we examine the regulation of juveniles charged with crimes in the juvenile justice system and also on the prosecution of juveniles as adults. The course complements the basic offering in Family Law with minimal overlap.

Final Exam