Alex Sirek

Latest Articles

• Why The Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization Abortion Case Is Different

  Federal courts, including the Supreme Court, handle many important and controversial cases. As just one example, lawsuits challenging abortion rights are brought in federal court each year like clockwork. Considering the number of federal court decisions involving the pro-choice/pro-life debate in recent years, why is Dobbs v. Jackson's Women's Health, currently…

• Is it Illegal To Give Prescription Drugs to a Friend?

  Giving your friend one of your prescription painkillers or other prescription medication might seem like a no-brainer. If your friend is in pain, why wouldn't you try to help? Well, tragically, in this context being a good Samaritan could get you in a bit — or a lot — of trouble. Sharing prescription medications of any kind violates state and federal laws, which can lead to a range of criminal consequences. This can include fines, community service, probation, and even time in prison.

• Can Prank Calls Get You Arrested?

  Making a prank phone call to your local McDonald's may seem like nothing more than a funny joke. What's the worst that could happen? Is Ronald McDonald going to drag you to county jail? Well, we hate to disappoint you would-be pranksters, but law enforcement could easily get involved depending on the kind of prank call. There are laws affecting prank calls and you could potentially serve jail time for your practical joke. A prank call gone wrong could easily leave someone with a misdemeanor or even a felony!

• Crisis Pregnancy Centers vs. Google: Should Search Engines Fight Misinformation?

  In the United States, there are nearly 3,000 crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs) that do not provide abortions. There are significantly fewer clinics that provide abortions, with less than 800 nationally. U.S. lawmakers who are in favor of abortion rights are urging Google to take a stand against crisis pregnancy centers. By encouraging the tech giant to limit or label search results that could mislead abortion seekers, these lawmakers hope to dissuade pregnant people from accidentally attending these centers.

• $185 Million Settlement Reached in Minor League Baseball Dispute

  The saying goes: "If you love what you do, you'll never have to work a day in your life." Well, Major League Baseball unfortunately took this old adage a bit too seriously. It was revealed that MLB has been significantly underpaying their minor league players for decades, claiming that they…

• Understanding Derek Chauvin's Federal Civil Rights Sentence

  Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer convicted in 2021 of murdering George Floyd, just received a federal prison sentence of 21 years after pleading guilty to civil rights violations. Chauvin was due to stand trial in federal court before accepting a plea deal in late 2021. This is in addition to already receiving a 22-and-a-half-year sentence in a highly-watched trial in Minnesota state court last year. This post will look at the separate nature of the charges Chauvin faced in federal court.

• Can You Still Own a Gun if Convicted of Domestic Violence?

  Domestic abuse is not just physical abuse, such as attempted use of physical force or the threatened use of a deadly weapon. It also includes financial, sexual, and emotional abuse. Domestic violence is a violation of human and civil rights and victims deserve to feel as safe and secure as possible. Federal firearms laws have instated new strict guidelines for felons and convicted offenders looking to purchase a gun. Let's take a look at the laws, new and old, determining who can and can't purchase a gun after a domestic violence offense.

• Equity, Equality, and Pay Disclosure in California

  Amidst persistent wage gaps and pay secrecy, a proposed California law attempts to even the playing field by mandating a public display of wage information. Proponents say that this will not only improve pay disparities but gaps in opportunities as well.

• UFC Champ Shoots Man First, Sues Second, for Molesting his Son

  While philosophers and internet commenters can argue whether revenge can be morally justifiable in some cases, vigilante justice is rarely the best solution. This should not need to be said so many times. But Cain Velasquez, a two-time UFC heavyweight champion, is now facing an attempted murder charge after allegedly shooting the man accused of molesting his son. He later decided to act within the limitations of the law and sue the alleged predator and his family.

• Illegal to Drive With Headphones?

  Driving while rocking out to your favorite tunes is perfectly legal when you're blasting your car stereo. But is it illegal to drive while using headphones or earbuds? Using headphones or earbuds behind the wheel may seem safe on the surface -- after all, you're technically complying with all those "hands-free" laws that keep popping up in more states and local jurisdictions nationwide. Right?

• Can My Student Loans Be Forgiven if my College Misled Me?

  College can offer students a variety of career prospects, opportunities for growth, and a future of lifelong learning ... if the institution keeps its promises. It might seem easy enough to write off misleading claims by a university with a "that's life, kid." But the cost of a college education is skyrocketing, and children are taking on tens of thousands of dollars in debts to sometimes not even finish a degree.