Do NowAmy Adler is a psychiatrist who treats patients with a variety of mental illnesses. One of her patients is arrested by the Secret Service for writing threatening letters to the President of the United States. When the patient goes to trial, Amy is asked to testify. However, she knows that the patient does not want her to reveal the nature of their conversations. What are the ethical conflicts for Amy? What are the legal conflicts? How might her decision have an effect on her professional reputation?

Do NowFrank is a homeless man who lives on the streets of New York City. One evening, he is very hungry and decides to steal a loaf of bread and a carton of milk from a deli.

When the police are called, Frank defends his actions by saying that he is entitled to the food. He feels that since he is hungry, he needs food to live, while the deli owner only sells the food to make a profit.

Do you think that Frank’s actions are ethical?

What ethical decision making method did he use?

What would you do in this situation?

Do NowStan skips his first period class for an entire week to see his girlfriend. When Stan arrives for school on Monday, his friend Andy tells him that the principal is looking for him.

Andy agrees to help out Stan by backing up Stan’s story that he was helping his father with his morning delivery route, thus making him late to school.

Andy’s reasoning for helping Stan is that he feels Stan would cover for him if he ever needed help.

What ethical decision making method has Andy used?

Explain the flaw in Andy’s ethical reasoning.

Do NowAlex witnessed a mugging on his way home from work, but did not stop to get involved. Other witnesses saw Alex leaving the area. Later that day, Alex saw on TV that the police were asking witnesses to come forward with information and give a statement.

Does Alex have an ethical duty to report this mugging? What would you do in this situation?

Do NowBerberian, 13, applies for and is refused a learners permit to drive an automobile. He is also denied permission to take a road test. Under his state’s statutes, persons under the age of 16 may not obtain learner’s permits or take road tests. Berberian claims that the age requirement is unconstitutional and that it violates his rights to equal protection as guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Is Berberian correct? Why or why not?

Berberian v. Petit, 374 A.2d 791 (Rhode Island) No. The right to operate a motor vehicle is not a fundamental right. Only rights explicitly guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution are fundamental. The state grants permits and licenses as a privilege, not as a right.

Do NowAngela Gannon got a speeding ticket for driving 80 MPH in a 65 MPH zone. In addition, she was cited for not wearing a seat belt. The US Supreme Court ruled the day before that the seat belt law was unconstitutional.

How would you judge this case? Explain.

Do NowEwing was a medical student at the university of Michigan. When he failed a qualifying examination, he asked for a chance to retake it. He knew that everyone else who failed the exam was allowed to retake it. The university refused .

Ewing sued, arguing that the university had acted unconstitutionally by depriving him of due process, as promised by the Fourteenth amendment to the US Constitution.  Can the court judge the constitutionality of a state university’s action? Explain.

Do NowA parent allegedly insulted his daughter’s teacher in front of several students. The parent was charged with violating the following Kentucky State statute:

“No person shall upbraid, insult, or abuse any teacher of the public schools in the presence of the school or in the presense of a pupil of the school.”

The parent argued that the statute is unconstitutionally vague.

Do you agree? Explain your position.

Com v. Ashcraft, 691 S.W. 2d 229 (KY)