On Monday the U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision in Horne v. Department of Agriculture, reversing the Ninth Circuit and declaring an agricultural marketing program dating back to the 1930s an unconstitutional takings. Chief Justice Roberts wrote the decision for the court, joined, predictably, by Justices Alito, Scalia, Kennedy and Thomas. Justice Breyer, joined by … Continue reading Horne v. Department of Agriculture—Personal Property and Per Se Takings →

The folks at Oyez have put together an infographic of the seven opinions the Supreme Court has left to issue this Term, including those on same-sex marriage, the Affordable Care Act, and lethal injection. Get the scoop on these cases below, and be sure to visit oyez.org for the full story.

June marks the home stretch for the Supreme Court, the closing month of the annual term that began the previous October. No more cases are to be argued. From now until the Court finishes its work for the year, the justices convene the Court at least once a week (more as the end gets closer) … Continue reading This Term at the Supreme Court—What Remains? →

This Monday, June 1, 2015, the Supreme Court handed down its long-awaited decision in Elonis v. United States. In a 7-2 ruling by Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr., the Court narrowed the circumstances under which individuals can be convicted of making criminal threats under federal law when they post statements on social media like … Continue reading Elonis v. United States: Treading Carefully with Regard to Threats and Free Speech →

Abercrombie & Fitch wants its employees to look a certain way. Company employees decided not to hire Samantha Elauf, a well qualified 17-year-old Muslim girl, because they felt the black head scarf she wore to her job interview did not fit their “look” policy. Yesterday, in Equal Employment Opportunity Commission v. Abercrombie & Fitch, the … Continue reading Religious Rights in the Workplace →

Turning to the other big case of the week…. Earlier today, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Glossip v. Gross, a challenge to the three-drug lethal injection protocol Oklahoma uses for its executions. The challengers argue that the procedure violates the ban on “cruel and unusual punishments” found in the Eighth Amendment of the … Continue reading The Supreme Court and Firing Squads →