by Clare Downing | Jan 26, 2016 | Debate, NCFCA Resolutions
A few weeks ago, I visited the Second District Court of Appeals for the State of Florida. A couple of students taking a Constitutional Literacy court and I sat in on oral arguments for four cases. The Second District in Florida covers 14 counties, and 5.3 million... 
by Clare Downing | Jan 14, 2016 | Debate, NCFCA Resolutions, Research
6) Miranda v Arizona Background: Several defendants were questioned while they were in custody and had been cut off from the outside world during their questioning. None of the defendants were informed of their rights before the interrogation. The court ruled that the... 
by Clare Downing | Jan 9, 2016 | Debate, NCFCA Resolutions, Research
1) Ashwander v Tennessee Valley Authority Background: This case outlines the 7 rules of Judicial Restraint. Basically, it outlines the circumstances in which the court will actually hear a case. 1) The court can only decide on issues that are immediate and pressing.... by Clare Downing | Aug 24, 2015 | Coaching, Debate, Technique
Dear Aggressive Female Debater (Katherine), Unfortunately the battle you have ahead of you will take a bigger armory than just verbal ethos. You need to have non-verbal credibility on your side as well. Debate rounds are won and lost in the margins. Oftentimes there... by Clare Downing | Aug 14, 2015 | Coaching, Debate, Technique
Dear Aggressive Female Debater (Katherine), I was you once. The frustration of being perceived as angry, bitter, or mean is one that I am familiar with. You are a round peg in a square hole. Chances are, you’ve tried to soften your image and have received ballot...