Ⅷ. Case Discussion.

Case one

Johnson, during a protest against the U.S. policies in Dallas, Texas, burned an American flag while those around him chanted“America the red, white and blue, we spit on you. ”He was later arrested and convicted on a flag desecration law in Texas, and sentenced to one year in prison and a$2,000 fine.

Questions

1. What do you think of the conviction and the Texas law？

2. Can Johnson appeal? Which court finally can he appeal to？

3. What will the court say？

Case two

Roe, a pregnant single woman, brought a suit challenging the constitutionality of the Texas abortion laws. These laws made it a crime to obtain or attempt an abortion except on medical advice to save the life of the mother.

Questions

1. What do you think of the abortion laws that criminalize all abortions, except those required on medical advice to save the life of the mother？

2. Does the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution protect the right to privacy, including the right to obtain an abortion？

3. What will the court decide? What does it mean to the Georgia law if the court makes judgment in favor of defendant？