Recent Decisions
Mckesson v. Doe (November 2, 2020)
Supreme Court vacates a Fifth Circuit holding that the First Amendment does not bar tort liability for a violent incident during a protest; certification of state tort law questions to the Louisiana Supreme Court is advisable.
Taylor v. Riojas (November 2, 2020)
Supreme Court vacates a grant of qualified immunity: No reasonable correctional officer could have concluded that the confinement of an inmate, for several days, in a cell filled with sewage, was constitutionally permissible.
Trump v. Vance (July 9, 2020)
With regard to a state subpoena for his private papers, a President stands in “nearly the same situation with any other individual.”
Trump v. Mazars USA, LLP (July 9, 2020)
Lower courts did not adequately consider separation of powers concerns implicated by congressional subpoenas for the President’s personal financial information.
McGirt v. Oklahoma (July 9, 2020)
Land reserved for the Creek Nation remains "Indian Country" so that crimes committed on that land must be prosecuted in federal court under the Major Crimes Act.
Latest Supreme Court News
Argument analysis: “Very hard questions” in dispute over Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac shareholder suit
SCOTUSblog,
The Supreme Court heard oral argument on Wednesday in a high-stakes battle over the regulation of mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in the wake of the 2008 housing crisis. Shareholders in the company have challenged both the constitutionality of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, which Congress created to oversee the two companies, and…
Argument analysis: Justices ponder narrow question in second look at arbitration dispute
SCOTUSblog,
Tuesday’s argument in Henry Schein Inc. v. Archer and White Sales Inc. was the second time the Supreme Court has considered this particular dispute about “gateway” arbitrability clauses: those that delegate to an arbitrator the authority to determine whether any particular dispute is subject to arbitration. The arbitration clause here – in a contract between…
Argument analysis: In Holocaust survivors’ lawsuit, justices probe history and limits of comity abstention
SCOTUSblog,
The first of two cases argued Monday, Republic of Hungary v. Simon, explored how courts should evaluate foreign-policy concerns in deciding whether to exercise jurisdiction over disputes involving foreign countries — and how much to defer to congressional choices in those decisions. Meanwhile, the potential ripple effects of the subsequently argued companion case, Federal Republic…
Supreme Court Rejects Republican Challenge to Pennsylvania Vote
The New York Times,
In a one-sentence order, the court refused to overturn election results that had already been certified and submitted.
Press Release Regarding January Oral Argument Session
Supreme Court of the United States,
Mandatory Vaccination and the Future of Abortion Rights
Justia's Verdict,
In light of recent news that Pfizer and Moderna have apparently created safe and effective vaccines against COVID-19, Cornell law professor Michael C. Dorf considers whether the government can mandate vaccination for people who lack a valid medical reason not to get vaccinated. Dorf briefly addresses issues of federalism and religious objections to vaccination and then addresses the question whether mandatory vaccination might be inconsistent with a right to abortion.
Current Supreme Court Justices
Chief Justice of the United States
Associate Justice
Associate Justice
Associate Justice
Associate Justice
Associate Justice
Associate Justice
Associate Justice
Photos of the justices courtesy of the Collection of the Supreme Court of the United States
