INSTRUCTIONS:
After reading the following instructions, see the case below. This is intended to be your individual work
and should be submitted to the Dropbox. When submitting assignments be sure to complete at least two
pages per assignment. A single paragraph is unlikely to earn the full points. However, when preparing
the assignment, please make sure that you pull the case from Lexis Nexis as instructed under
the CASES module. In some instances, although your text provides a copy of the case, it is not a
comprehensive set of facts and arguments. The format of your assignment should be the same as the case
you are referencing.
Conclusion – What was the conclusion drawn by the court?
Rule – What rule(s) is being applied in the case?
Application – State the facts of the case, reiterate the rules and explain how and why the rules apply to your
set of facts. Additionally, indicate why the court ruled in the way that it did. This section accounts for
90% of your points and should be at least one-page long. Make sure it is thorough and includes your
arguments for why the case was decided the way that it was.
Conclusion – Restate your conclusion from paragraph one.
CASE:
Hartsoe v. Christopher (Sup. Ct., Montana, 2013)—Hartsoe, who had legal issues in the state district
court of Judge Christopher, sued her in state and federal court for violating her constitutional rights. A
federal district judge in Montana dismissed the federal suit; the 9th Circuit affirmed that decision. The
state suit was dismissed in state district court. Hartsoe appealed to the Montana high court.
After reading the case on Lexis Nexis in its entirety, answer the following:
Decision:
What was the decision in the case?
Question 1: Why would constitutional rights not be treated differently than issues that arise under
statutory law or common law?
Question 2: What can a party to a case do if they are convinced the judge is biased against them?