Constitutional Law Keyed to Feldman
Lynch v. Donnelly
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- Topic: Identifies the topic of law and where this case fits within your course outline.
- Parties: Identifies the cast of characters involved in the case.
- Procedural Posture & History: Shares the case history with how lower courts have ruled on the matter.
- Case Key Terms, Acts, Doctrines, etc.: A case specific Legal Term Dictionary.
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- Brief Facts: A Synopsis of the Facts of the case.
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- Facts: What are the factual circumstances that gave rise to the civil or criminal case? What is the relationship of the Parties that are involved in the case. Review the Facts of this case here:
Each year, in cooperation with the downtown retail merchants’ association, the City of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, erects a Christmas display as part of its observance of the Christmas holiday season. The display is situated in a park located in the heart of the city’s shopping district and is owned by a nonprofit organization. The display reads, “SEASONS GREETINGS” and includes many figurines including Mary, Jesus and Joseph. Costs for erecting and maintaining the display are nominal to the city. The District Court held that the city’s inclusion of the display violated the Establishment Clause of the Constitution and a divided panel of the First Circuit Court affirmed.
- Issue(s): Lists the Questions of Law that are raised by the Facts of the case.
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- Policy: Identifies the Policy if any that has been established by the case.
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