Wahl on Law

In the 35th episode of Wahl on Law, we are joined by Professor Richard Albert of the University of Texas at Austin School of Law to discuss whether constitutions should be easier to amend. We break down how the amendment process works, why it's so difficult to change the Constitution, the pros and cons of making amendments harder, and what an ideal amendment process might look like.

In the 34th episode of Wahl on Law, we are joined by Professor Michael Law-Smith of the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law to examine one of the most important debates in today’s criminal justice system: Should AI help determine a criminal's sentence? We discuss the rise of algorithmic sentencing, the limits of artificial intelligence, the role of human dignity in sentencing decisions, and whether AI can ever replace human judgment in the courtroom.

In the 33rd episode of Wahl on Law, we are joined by Attorney Ken Good to examine one of the most important debates in today’s criminal justice system: How should defendants be released before trial? We discuss the difference between secured and personal recognizance bonds, the role of financial accountability, what happens when defendants fail to appear, and whether the current bail system does enough to ensure public safety.

In the 32nd episode of Wahl on Law, we are again joined by political strategist Cara McCormick to break down the controversy surrounding Super PACs and whether they corrupt American elections. We also discuss Maine's effort to regulate Super PACs by capping contributions to them, and the constitutional challenge that followed.

In the 31st episode of Wahl on Law, we are joined by Delaware Attorney General candidate Dwayne Bensing to break down his campaign for the state's top law enforcement office. We discuss his plans to tackle corporate greed, strengthen independent government oversight, protect civil rights, and address some of the biggest legal and policy issues facing Delaware today.

In the 30th episode of Wahl on Law, we are joined by Professor Jon Lee of the University of Oklahoma College of Law to examine what happens when lawyers themselves break the law. We discuss how attorneys are disciplined for criminal conduct, the debate over automatic disbarment, and whether lawyers should face professional consequences for crimes committed outside the practice of law. Finally, we explore Professor Lee's nationwide study of attorney discipline and what reforms could strengthen accountability and public confidence in the legal profession.

In the 29th episode of Wahl on Law, we are joined by Professor Itay Ravid of Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law to discuss whether media coverage of crime can influence judicial sentencing decisions. We explore his groundbreaking research on the relationship between media coverage and harsher sentences, why elected and appointed judges may respond differently to outside influences, and whether today's social media landscape could further shape judicial decision-making.

In the 28th episode of Wahl on Law, we are joined by Professor Patrick Sobkowski of Marquette University to examine one of the most important constitutional questions facing the country today: How powerful is the President? We break down the Supreme Court's decision in Trump v. United States, the history of executive power, and why presidential immunity has become one of the most debated issues in constitutional law.

In the 27th episode of Wahl on Law, we are joined by Political Strategist Cara McCormick to break down the debate between closed and open primaries in the American election system and whether these systems truly represent the American electorate. We also discuss potential reforms to the primary process, particularly those aimed at giving independent voters a greater voice.

In the 26th episode of Wahl on Law, we are joined by Sam Novey, Chief Strategist at the University of Maryland Center for Democracy and Civic Engagement, to break down the SAVE America Act, an election reform bill that would introduce new federal requirements for voter registration and voting. We discuss why the Act is being proposed, whether noncitizen voting is a significant issue in federal elections, and the millions of Americans who could face challenges complying with its documentary proof of citizenship requirements.