Latest Case: Idaho v. Dobbs (Constitutional Law)

The Real Insidious Part of Dershowitz’s Impeachment Defense

VIKRAM DAVID AMAR, EVAN CAMINKER

Illinois law dean Vikram David Amar and Michigan Law dean emeritus Evan Caminker discuss Harvard Law professor Alan Dershowitz’s explanation of why he stands (virtually) alone in his views on impeachment—that all the scholars who disagree with him are biased partisans. Amar and Caminker explain why this claim is so insidious, with effects lasting well beyond the span of the current presidency.

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Idaho v. Dobbs

Docket: 46335

Opinion Date: February 4, 2020

Judge: Stegner

Areas of Law: Constitutional Law, Criminal Law

Shane Lee Dobbs appealed his conviction and the resulting sentence imposed after he pled guilty of lewd conduct with a minor under sixteen. On appeal, Dobbs contended the district court abused its discretion in fashioning a sentence based in part on a desire to “deter[ ] private vengeance” against him. Dobbs also contended his unified sentence of twenty-two years, with ten years fixed, was excessive in light of the mitigating factors. Finding no reversible error or abuse of discretion, the Idaho Supreme Court affirmed Dobbs’ judgment of conviction and sentence.