Category Archives: Term

News, OT 2012

Justice Sotomayor’s Comments on Denial of Certiorari

Usually when the Supreme Court denies certiorari, there is no comment at all from the justices. No one has way of knowing why the case was denied or what the justices thought about lower courts’ the decision. On Monday, February 25, however, when the Supreme Court denied certiorari in the case of Calhoun v. United … Continue reading Justice Sotomayor’s Comments on Denial of Certiorari →

OT 2012, Same Sex Marriage

Court Grants Review in Two Same-sex Marriage Cases

The Supreme Court today granted review in two same-sex marriage cases. The Court will consider a challenge to the Federal Defense of Marriage Act and California’s ban on same-sex marriages (commonly known as Prop. 8). The Court could decide the cases several ways, but it will consider whether the Fourteenth Amendment’s Equal Protection clause requires … Continue reading Court Grants Review in Two Same-sex Marriage Cases →

OT 2012, Same Sex Marriage

Court Considering Same-sex Marriage Challenges

At their conference today, the justices of the Supreme Court are considering which of several cases challenging restrictions on same-sex marriage the Court will review, setting the stage for what will likely be the most watched, and potentially most influential, decision this term. SCOTUSblog has an excellent overview of the cases the Court is considering, … Continue reading Court Considering Same-sex Marriage Challenges →

OT 2012, Voting Rights Act

Court to Review Voting Rights Act

The Court on Friday agreed to review the Voting Rights Act, a landmark piece of legislation originally passed during the civil rights era. The Court will focus on whether a core provision of the act, requiring certain states with a history of racial discrimination to submit any changes in election laws to the Federal government … Continue reading Court to Review Voting Rights Act →

News, OT 2011

2011 Major Opinion Announcements Posted

The Court today released recordings of its opinion announcements for the 2011 term. Oyez is in the process of posting these. Last term’s major cases are now available, including: — The Affordable Care Act Cases — United States v. Alvarez — Arizona v. United States — Miller v. Alabama Transcripts of the opinion announcements are … Continue reading 2011 Major Opinion Announcements Posted →