Law Review Symposium to Address Questions in Legal, Justice Systems

Texas Tech University’s Law Review will host its annual Criminal Law Symposium, featuring the topic Excuses and the Criminal Law, from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. April 3 in the School of Law Lanier Center Auditorium.

According to Professor Arnold Loewy, the George Killam Professor of Criminal Law at Texas Tech, the issue of excuses has been both mystifying and tantalizing to criminal law theorists and philosophers.

“Are excuses necessary to keep the innocent from being convicted, or conversely, are they a means by which the guilty escape their just punishment?” Loewy asked.

This year’s symposium explores four major questions:

• Is there really a difference between justifications and excuses, or did the academics make it up?
• In general, should excuses be construed broadly or narrowly?
• In general, should excuses be complete or partial?
• What is the proper scope of the insanity defense?

Nationally and internationally known law professors and theorists are scheduled to present at the symposium.

For participants seeking Texas Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credit, registration is $65, which includes lunch. For government employees seeking CLE credit, registration is $50, which includes lunch. Students may attend the symposium at no charge; attendance at the lunch event is $16.95. Texas CLE credit is seven participatory hours and one ethics hour.

Registration at the Law School is available March 23 through April 2. Early registration and a detailed speaker schedule are available on the Texas Tech Law Review’s Web site. Students and government employees must register at the Law School or by emailing se@texastechlawreview.org.