Resume

• 2005

  PhD

  First Field:American politics; Second Field: political theory

  Political Science

  University of Colorado at Boulder

• 1997

  JD

  University of Iowa College of Law

• 1993

  BA

  Political Science

  History

  German

  Student Government

  Alpha Phi Omega

  Omicron Delta Kappa

  Religious Life Council

• Political Science

  Criminal Law

  Qualitative Research

  University Teaching

  Legal Research

  Courts

  Pre-Law

  International Relations

  Public Speaking

  Student Development

  Politics

  Editing

  Academic Advising

  Policy Analysis

  Teaching

  Higher Education

  Research

  Criminal Justice

  Constitutional Law

  Government

  Dialogue Among State Supreme Courts: Advancing State Constitutionalism

  State supreme courts use state constitutional provisions to afford their citizens state constitutional rights beyond the protections that the U.S. Supreme Court has interpreted the U.S. Constitution to require. As state supreme courts consider expanding state constitutional rights they engage in an ongoing dialogue with their sister state supreme courts. Results indicate this dialogue amongst state supreme courts influences decisions interpreting state constitutional rights. Denniston demonstrates through analysis of state supreme court decisions and interviews with state supreme courts justices the impact of this dialogue on state supreme court decision making.

  Dialogue Among State Supreme Courts: Advancing State Constitutionalism

  In Miller v. Alabama

  the United States Supreme Court established a sweep-ing national precedent limiting the imposition of criminal sentences for juvenile offenders. However

  it left many nuanced

  unanswered questions for the states to resolve. This article uses a survey approach to examine the role of state courts

  which employ both federal and state constitutional law

  in interpreting and implementing the holding and principles of Miller. This article identifies and discusses the implementation trends among the states post-Miller and explores the role that dialogue between state courts has in resolving questions left open by the U.S. Supreme Court. A wide range of judicial approaches related to the understanding of judicial power in relation to coordinate branches of government is revealed.

  The Role of State Constitutionalism in Determining Juvenile Life Sentences

  Bruce Bayley

  Molly Sween

  David R Lynch

  Carolina Academic Press

  Seven Deadly Sins presents seven core constitutional virtues

  introduced to the reader via their mirror opposites

  which the authors call the \"seven deadly constitutional sins\" of the criminal justice system. These negative attributes or \"sins\" are intolerance

  subterfuge

  intrusiveness

  craftiness

  favoritism

  cruelty and subservience to authority. Each negative trait is presented in two companion chapters. The first of the two chapters identifies the trait (e.g. intolerance) and established its constitutional place via the presentations of summaries of various appellate law decisions. The companion chapter then present real-world

  non-legal stories from the field in the areas of policing and corrections. It is this combination of true stories from the field coupled with conceptualizing constitutional rights in terms of their mirror opposites (including the grouping of several amendments at once when necessary) that makes this book unique and fresh.

  Seven Deadly Sins: Constitutional Rights and the Criminal Justice System

  Each member of my Introduction to American Politics class considered the institutional and policy consequences of a proposed constitutional amendment in a 4-6 page paper. The goal of this this paper was for students to explain and critique the arguments for and against an amendment proposal to the United States Constitution. Students each proposed a constitutional amendment either their own idea/text

  or one proposal previously advocated by others. Students then built upon this research in a Constitutional Convention simulation. The simulation culminated in a class debate over several amendments at the end of the term.

  Mark

  Denniston

  University of Colorado at Boulder

  Colorado State University

  Weber State University

  University of Denver

  Iowa Supreme Court

  Stuyvesant & Benton

  Regis University

  Taught courses on U.S. Elections

  Constitutional Law and Civil Liberties

  as well as Courts and Judicial Process. Arranged for guest speakers to bring real world experience to classroom discussion. Designed a Supreme Court simulation for students to apply knowledge of the Bill of Rights.

  Regis University

  Colorado State University

  Taught classes in Current World Problems and American Political Theories during the Fall 2011 semester. Oversaw two GTAs and assisted them in preparing their first lectures for Current World Problems. In the Spring 2012 semester I taught Constitutional Law and History of Political Thought.

  Instructor

  Fort Collins

  Colorado Area

  I taught courses pertaining to Campaigns and Elections

  State Government and Politics

  as well as American Government while pursuing my PhD in political science.

  University of Colorado at Boulder

  Associate Professor

  Weber State University

  Attorney

  Practiced law primarily in criminal defense

  domestic relations and probate areas. Responsible for prosecuting violations of city ordinances for the cities of Pella

  Knoxville

  Carlisle

  and Pleasantville. Pursued appeals on behalf of post-conviction relief applicants and served as lead counsel for several jury trials.

  Stuyvesant & Benton

  University of Denver

  Denver

  Colorado

  As a visiting professor in the political science department at the University of Denver I taught several sections of Constitutional Law and Introduction to American Politics among other classes. Incorporated Constitutional Convention simulations into my American Politics classes

  and Supreme Court simulations in my Constitutional Law classes.

  Visiting Professor

  Researched cases and authored memoranda synthesizing my research and the arguments from the parties’ briefs. Edited opinions drafted by Justice Larson. Screened applications for further review from decisions of the Iowa Court of Appeals.

  Iowa Supreme Court

  Weber State University

  Criminal Justice Department

  I teach a variety of criminal justice classes including Legal Foundations of Criminal Justice at the Master's level

  and Constitutional Rights

  Laws of Evidence

  Criminal Law and Courts

  State CJ Rights

  and Introduction to Criminal Justice at the undergraduate level. I also advise students interested in attending law school.

  Assistant Professor

  Iowa Bar Association

  Western Association of Criminal Justice