U.S. Supreme Court

Court Clarifies Execution Standard

Updated: The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that a federal appeals court used an “improperly restrictive test” when it ruled that a mentally delusional death-row inmate could be put to death. The 5-4 decision blocks the execution of Scott Panetti, Associated Press reports. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals…

Jun 28, 2007 6:44 PM CDT

Lawyers Advise, Clients Strategize on New ‘Issue’ Political Advertising

Lawyers who advise advocacy groups are busy this week, following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling Monday opening the door to more “issue”-oriented political advertising. The question: How far can these groups go in pre-election advertising that discusses issues but at least arguably also promotes political candidates? The Federal Election Commission,…

Jun 28, 2007 6:18 PM CDT

Court Strikes Down Integration Plans

Updated: In perhaps the most-anticipated ruling of the term, the U.S. Supreme Court stepped back into the debate over affirmative action, ruling in a 5-4 decision that two public schools improperly used race as a factor in school assignments, SCOTUSblog reports. The schools have “failed to provide the necessary support…

Jun 28, 2007 5:12 PM CDT

Scalia’s Barbs Hook Chief Justice

In two opinions on Monday, Justice Antonin Scalia took pointed aim at the chief justice for failing to overturn precedent. Scalia’s missives have “served to lift the curtain a bit on the differences within the powerful five-justice conservative bloc that has marched in lock step through much of the term,”…

Jun 28, 2007 3:03 PM CDT

Justice Compares Bong Hits, Banned Sips

Memories of Prohibition helped shape Justice John Paul Stevens’ dissenting views in the “Bong Hits 4 Jesus” case. The Supreme Court ruled on Monday that a school could punish a student for advocating illegal drug use by unfurling the “Bong Hits” banner at a school-sanctioned parade. Stevens’ compared the ban…

Jun 27, 2007 3:06 PM CDT

Justice Alito Biggest Business Champion

On a current U.S. Supreme Court known for its pro-business views, Justice Samuel Alito, in his first full year on its bench, stands out as the biggest champion of Big Business in recent memory. As the current Supreme Court term concludes this week, Alito, 57, gets star billing in what…

Jun 26, 2007 8:58 PM CDT

Rancher Loses Quest for Damages

A Wyoming rancher who sought damages from employees at the U.S. Bureau of Land Management had the support of a conservative public interest group, the Pacific Legal Foundation. But only two liberal judges agreed that Harvey Frank Robbins should be allowed to pursue his claim for damages under the 1971…

Jun 26, 2007 8:46 PM CDT

A Conservative Juggernaut (Updated)

Conservatives are on a roll at the U.S. Supreme Court. Four of five rulings yesterday were decided 5-4 by conservative majorities, according to the Washington Post. The majority: –Limited student speech advocating drug use. –Refused to allow a taxpayer challenge to an executive branch program promoting federal funding for faith-based…

Jun 26, 2007 4:01 PM CDT

Limited Reach for ‘Bong Hits’ Ruling

An unusual assortment of groups had pressed the U.S. Supreme Court to rule a school could not punish a student for unfurling a banner that read “Bong Hits 4 Jesus.” Conservative Christian organizations and gay rights groups both supported student free speech, but for differing reasons, the Washington Post reports.…

Jun 26, 2007 3:21 PM CDT

New Justices Came From Cheney List

Vice President Dick Cheney led a committee that vetted potential Supreme Court candidates, producing a short list of finalists who shared his views on expansive executive power, the Washington Post reports. Bush selected John G. Roberts from the short list, first to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of…

Jun 26, 2007 2:34 PM CDT

Taxpayer Standing Partly Survives

Two conservative justices did not succeed in getting the Supreme Court to overrule a 1968 precedent regarding taxpayer standing. The old case, Flast v. Cohen, allowed taxpayers to challenge spending on programs that promote religion. The case was an exception to the general rule barring taxpayer standing. Justice Antonin Scalia…

Jun 26, 2007 2:03 PM CDT

Changed Court Weakens Campaign Law

The Supreme Court’s 5-4 decision yesterday weakening restrictions on campaign spending shows the influence of new justices. Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. wrote the majority decision finding the restrictions unconstitutional as applied to issue ads by an anti-abortion group. Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. fully joined his opinion, the…

Jun 26, 2007 12:38 PM CDT

Court Says Issue Ads Protected

Updated: The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that a group opposing abortion had a First Amendment right to run election-season issue ads that named a Senate candidate. “Today’s opinion is a major victory for those who oppose campaign finance regulation, and will likely lead to a new proliferation of corporate-…

Jun 25, 2007 7:21 PM CDT

Court Backs School in ‘Bong Hits’ Case (Updated)

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled in a 5-4 decision that public schools may punish students who promote illegal drug use. The ruling came in the the case of a student who unfurled a banner that read “Bong Hits 4 Jesus” while attending a parade sanctioned by the school. Student…

Jun 25, 2007 6:30 PM CDT

Court Backs EPA Action (Updated)

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled against environmentalists who sought to protect endangered species in a dispute with the Environmental Protection Agency. The case involves conflicting mandates in the Endangered Species Act and the Clean Water Act, Associated Press reports. The court ruled for the EPA, which ignored the species…

Jun 25, 2007 5:30 PM CDT