NPR Coverage of the 2007-08 Term
of the US Supreme Court
updated 1 July 2008
So
Long 2007 Term
The Supreme Court is in recess for the summer, but the justices ended
this week with some major and very close decisions. NPR legal affairs
correspondent Nina Totenberg talks with Scott Simon about the end of the
court term. Weekend Edition Saturday,
June 28, 2008.
Second Amendment IV
The Supreme Court for the first time ruled that the Second Amendment
guarantees individuals the right to own a gun. The 5-4 opinion said the
justices expect new cases to test the boundaries of government limits on
those lawfully held guns. All Things Considered,
June 26, 2008 ·
Second Amendment III
Americans have the right to own guns for self-defense and hunting,
proclaimed the U.S. Supreme Court today in its first definitive ruling on
gun rights in history. The 5-4 decision deems the District of Columbia's
32-year ban on handguns as incompatible with gun rights under the Second
Amendment. Tell Me More,
June 26, 2008.
Second Amendment II
The Supreme Court's decision Thursday to overturn the District of
Columbia's 32-year-old ban on handguns is the high court's first conclusive
interpretation of the Second Amendment since its ratification in 1791.
NPR.org, June 26,
2008.
Second Amendment, Heller-style
In a dramatic moment on the last day of this term, the Supreme Court
declared for the first time that the Second Amendment protects an
individual's right to self-defense and gun ownership.
NPR.org, June 26, 2008 ·
The
Court Limits the Punitive Judgment in the Exxon Valdez Case
The Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that the punitive damages imposed
on Exxon, stemming from the huge oil spill in Prince William Sound, Alaska,
were excessive. The justices said the punitive damages should not be more
than the compensatory damages. All Things
Considered, June 25, 2008.
Supremes Strike Down Capital Punishment for Child Rape
The Supreme Court has outlawed executions of people convicted of
raping a child. The court was considering a Louisiana law that allowed for
such executions. The ruling said the law violates the Constitution's ban on
cruel and unusual punishment. All Things
Considered, June 25, 2008.
Supreme Court Strikes Down Military Commission Act
Foreign terrorism suspects being held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, have
rights under the U.S. Constitution to challenge their detention in civilian
courts, the Supreme Court ruled Thursday. All
Things Considered, June 12, 2008.
Court Upholds Indiana Voter ID Law
Oral
Arguments in Millionaire's Amendment Case
The Supreme Court hears arguments on the so-called "millionaire's
amendment" — a provision in the McCain-Feingold federal campaign finance law
that allows the opponent of a big-spending, self-financed candidate to raise
more contributions, while still staying eligible for federal funding. The
amendment is triggered when one candidate spends $350,000 of his or her own
money. All Things Considered,
April 22, 2008.
Once
More With Feeling... Court Takes Up Campaign Finance (Again)
The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday hears a challenge to the campaign finance
law provision called the Millionaire's Amendment. The amendment requires
that candidates who spend more than $350,000 of their own money on a
campaign must publicly disclose large purchases. The former candidate who
brought the suit claims the requirement gives opponents an unfair advantage
in planning campaign policy. Morning Edition,
April 22, 2008.
Court Upholds Three-Drug Execution Protocol
The Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that states may execute condemned
prisoners with a sequence of three drugs that had been challenged as "cruel
and unusual punishment" in a Kentucky case. In a separate case, justices are
weighing whether it's constitutional to sentence someone to death for raping
a child. All Things Considered,
April 16, 2008.
Can
States Execute Convicted Child Rapists?
The Supreme Court on Wednesday takes up a major death penalty case testing
whether capital punishment is constitutional for the rape of a child. It is
the first time that the newly constituted Supreme Court will be examining
what the standards are for determining what crimes can be punished by
execution. Morning Edition,
April 16, 2008.
Judge's Posture When Deviating From Federal Sentencing
Guidelines.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday hears a case involving whether a judge must
notify the defense if he deviates from the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. A
pre-sentence report recommended a sentence of 41 to 51 months in prison for
a California man who pleaded guilty to threatening his wife. Without
notifying defense counsel, the judge rejected the recommendation and instead
sentenced the man to the maximum penalty of five years in prison.
Morning Edition, April 15, 2008.
Is
Mental Competence a Measure of Self-Representation Right
Today the US Supreme Court took up a
question that has plagued trial courts across the country. If a person is
sane enough to stand trial, does that mean he is mentally competent to
represent himself? All Things Considered,
March 26, 2008.
Supremes Hold for States Over Treaties and the Executive
The U.S. Supreme Court delivered a major opinion on Tuesday that limits the
force of many U.S. treaties and rejects President Bush's assertion that he
can unilaterally order state governments to comply with treaties.
All Things Considered,
March 25, 2008.
The
Supremes Return to the War on Terror
The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday hears arguments on whether American
citizens held by U.S. forces in Iraq may be turned over to Iraqi courts
without recourse in U.S. courts. Two Americans are being held by the
military in Iraq. They are accused of aiding terrorists.
Morning Edition, March 25, 2008.
Oral
Arguments in D.C. Gun Control Case
The Supreme Court hears arguments on a District of Columbia law that
essentially bans handgun ownership. It was the first time in nearly 70 years
that the high court examined a case involving the Second Amendment and the
right to bear arms. All Things Considered,
March 18, 2008
Set
Up of D.C. Gun Control Case
For the first time in nearly 70 years, the U.S. Supreme Court on
Tuesday will enter the constitutional debate over the Second Amendment right
to bear arms. Morning Edition,
March 18, 2008.
Second Amendment Case Splits (sorta) the Bush Administration
This week the Supreme Court will hear a case that tests whether the
Constitution's Second Amendment guarantees an individual right to bear arms.
It's the first time in 70 years the Justices have addressed the question.
Weekend Edition Sunday,
March 16, 2008.
U.S.
Citizen, War on Terror, and Iraqi Court Authority
The U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the case of Mohammed Munaf, a
U.S. citizen detained by the U.S. military Iraq and tried in an Iraqi court
for kidnapping. Munaf was then sentenced to death. But now, Munaf's
lawyers have formally notified the Supreme Court that an Iraqi appellate
court has set aside his conviction, as the supposed basis for his conviction
— a transcript of Munaf's confession and written statements of witnesses
against him — could not be found. Munaf has been in the custody of the
multinational force near Baghdad International Airport. His U.S. case is
scheduled for argument in the Supreme Court on March 25. All
Things Considered, February 29, 2008.
Oral
Arguments in Exxon Case
The Supreme Court heard arguments from Exxon today that the amount the
corporation has been ordered to pay as a result of the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil
spill in Alaska is unreasonable. Lawyers representing fishermen,
Native Alaskans and others say the punitive damages are necessary, because
Exxon has not shown that it takes responsibility for the spill and it has
fired only one person over the incident: the captain of the Exxon Valdez.
All Things Considered,
February 27, 2008.
Punitive Damages, Maritime Law, and Exxon
Supremes Allow Suit Against 401(k) Administrators
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that a man may sue the administrators
of his 401(k) account because they didn't follow his buy and sell
instructions, causing him to lose money. Morning Edition,
February 21, 2008.
The Court Holds for the National Government in a Series of
Cases
The Supreme Court issued a number of rulings Wednesday that uphold federal
over state law. Among them is a decision that, if a medical device is
approved by the federal government, consumers may not sue the manufacturer
under state statutes. Another ruling invalidates parts of Maine's law
regulating the transportation of tobacco with the aim of keeping it away
from minors. Nina Totenberg reports. All
Things Considered, February 20, 2008.
New
Workplace Discrimination Case May Open the Door for Reconsideration of Some
Civil Rights Laws
The U.S. Supreme Court hears arguments Wednesday in a case testing
whether workers who claim they are fired for complaining about racial
discrimination may sue for damages under a key civil rights statute.
Morning Edition,
February 20, 2008.
Defrauded Investors S.O.L. if Seeking Compensation from Secondary Parties
The Supreme Court gives the business community a major victory. By a 5-3
vote, the justices block almost all efforts by investors to recover losses
from secondary players in schemes to defraud stockholders. The ramifications
involve suits like the one brought by Enron investors against banks that are
accused of helping Enron conceal its perilous financial condition.
Morning
Edition, January 16, 2008.
Search of Misdemeanor Traffic Violator
Supreme Court justices heard arguments in the case of a man who was stopped
for driving with a suspended license in Virginia. Instead of following a
state law that directs police to write a ticket and let suspended drivers
go, officers arrested David Moore and searched him. They found crack cocaine
in his jacket and Moore was convicted and sentenced to prison. The Virginia
Supreme Court overturned the conviction, saying the cocaine should never
have been admitted. Morning Edition,
January 15, 2008.
No
Man Can Be a Judge in His Own Cause: Judge Alex to the Supreme Court in a
Preemption Dispute
While television's Judge Alex usually
measures his success in ratings for his TV show of the same name, he's now
turning to the Supreme Court. He's looking to the U.S. Supreme Court
justices' votes in a contract dispute between him and his manager.
Morning Edition, January 14, 2008.
Justices Skeptical of Arguments Against Voter ID Law
The Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday on whether states may
require government-issued photo identification cards as proof of identity
for voters at the polls. At issue is a strict Indiana law, but many other
states have similar laws.
All Things Considered, January 9, 2008.
Voter ID Case Before the Court
Oral
Arguments in the Lethal Injection Case
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday heard arguments on whether the method of
execution used in most states violates the Constitution's ban on cruel and
unusual punishment. This was not a challenge to the death penalty itself,
but to the way lethal injections are administered in 36 out of 37 states
that have death penalty laws. At issue is the protocol in Kentucky.
All Things Considered,
January 7, 2008.
Supremes to Hear Voter ID Case from Indiana
The Supreme Court is poised to hear Indiana's Voter ID Law, requiring voters
to present a government-issued photo ID such as a driver's license or
passport. Critics claim that having to show an ID to vote makes it difficult
for the poor, elderly and minority voters who, for the most part, vote
democratic. Defending the law, Indiana's attorney general says that the
state is just trying to prevent possible future fraud.
Morning Edition, January 7, 2008.
Methods of Lethal Injection Before the Court
On Monday, the U.S. Supreme court examines whether lethal injection, the
method used to execute convicted killers in almost all the states that have
the death penalty, is unconstitutionally cruel and unusual punishment.
Morning Edition, January 7, 2008.
Sentencing Decisions and Crack Cocaine
Nearly 20,000 people convicted of drug offenses could find out today if
they'll be spending less time in prison. The U.S. Sentencing Commission may
reduce the extra punishment that's given for crimes involving crack, as
compared to powdered, cocaine. Morning
Edition, December 11, 2007.
Supremes Allow Deviations from Sentencing Guideline Seandards
Two years ago, the Supreme Court ruled that federally mandated guidelines
could only be advisory, otherwise they would be unconstitutional.
Since then, however, federal prosecutors, backed by the appellate courts,
have continued efforts to limit trial judges' discretion, telling them that
any significant deviation from the guidelines was not acceptable. On Monday,
by a 7-to-2 vote, the Supreme Court basically put an end to that practice,
telling the lower courts that advisory means exactly what it says: that
judges should consider the guidelines, but not be bound by them.
All Things Considered, 10 December 2007.
More
on Boumediene Oral Argument
The Supreme Court hears arguments for a third time in a case involving
whether the prisoners classified as enemy combatants and held at Guantanamo
Bay are entitled to challenge their detention in U.S. courts. The prisoners
have been held for six years. Morning
Edition, December 6, 2007.
Oral
Arguments in Boumediene v. Bush... the Guantanamo Bay Detention Cases
On Wednesday, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments for a third time in a
major case involving the rights of detainees at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The
importance of the case was underlined by the fact that for the first time
this term, the court authorized the same day release of audio of the
argument. All Things Considered,
December 5, 2007.
Set
Up: Supremes Hear Gitmo Cases Today
The U.S. Supreme Court is due Wednesday to hear arguments on the rights of
detainees at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, marking the third time it has taken up
the matter. Morning Edition,
December 5, 2007.
Cole
and Yoo on Gitmo Cases
On Wednesday, the Supreme Court will hear arguments to consider the
constitutionality of Guantanamo detainees' detention without trial.
Commentators and lawyers David Cole and John Yoo both see historic
parallels with other famous Supreme Court cases. Their viewpoints lead them
to opposing legal arguments. All Things
Considered, December 4, 2007.
Racial Jury Selection Again Before the Supreme Court
The Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday in a murder case involving a black
defendant and a jury from which all of the potential black jurors had been
removed. The defendant was convicted and sentenced to death.
All Things Considered,
December 4, 2007.
Supremes Grant Cert.
in D.C. Gun Control Case
The Supreme Court agreed Tuesday to review the District of Columbia's
nearly complete ban on the right to own and use a handgun. The city is
appealing a ruling that said the ban is unconstitutional under the Second
Amendment. It has been more than a
half-century since the Supreme Court last interpreted the Second Amendment.
The amendment has sometimes been read to protect each American's right to
have a gun, and other times to protect that right only in connection with
military service. All Things Considered,
November 20, 2007.
Oral
Arguments in the Child Porn Case
The Supreme Court on Tuesday heard arguments on a federal law barring child
pornography. Challengers say the law is too broad and could interfere with
protected speech. All Things Considered,
October 30, 2007.
Court to Hear Challenge to Federal Child Pornography Law
The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday will examine yet another congressional
attempt to legislate against sexually explicit material on the Internet that
involves children. Morning Edition,
October 30, 2007.
Oral
Arguments in the Medellin Case
The Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday in a case involving a Mexican
national who was arrested in Texas and confessed to murder without being
told of his right, under U.S. treaty, to be given access to diplomats from
his home country. All Things Considered,
October 10, 2007.
The
President, The States, and the Treaty Power
Jose Medellin, a Mexican man on death row in Texas has an unlikely ally in a
case before the U.S. Supreme Court. President Bush is asking the court to
order the state to abide by an international court ruling that required it
to notify Mexican authorities when the man was arrested. Texas courts have
said the ruling has no weight in Texas and the president has no power to
order its enforcement. Morning Edition,
October 10, 2007.
Oral
Arguments in Third Party Fraud Case
At the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday, the justices heard arguments in a case
widely viewed as the most important test of investor rights in decades. At
issue is whether defrauded investors seeking to recover losses can sue third
parties such as banks, accounting firms, and insurance companies that were
involved in a stock manipulation. All Things
Considered, October 9, 2007.
Third-Party Liability for Fraud
The U.S. Supreme Court is due to hear arguments in a case testing the rights
of investors who are asking to recover losses from third parties, such as
insurance and accounting firms, and banks that they say help corporations
perpetrate a fraud. Morning Edition,
October 9, 2007.
Oral
Arguments in Sentencing Cases
The Supreme Court hears arguments in two drug-crime cases Tuesday. One is a
further test of the new use of the old sentencing rules, which the court has
found to be guidelines rather than rigid requirements. The other tests the
federal law that requires longer sentences for crack-cocaine violations than
for powder cocaine violations. All Things
Considered, October 2, 2007.
Sentencing Guidelines and Judicial Independence and Autonomy
The U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear arguments in two cases testing the
limits of judicial discretion in federal sentencing. In 2005, the Supreme
Court ruled guidelines would be unconstitutional if they were binding on
judges, and that therefore the guidelines can only be considered advisory.
Morning Edition, October 2, 2007.
Nina
Totenberg on the '07 Term
The U.S. Supreme Court formally opens its new term Monday, and as always,
some of the most pressing national controversies are on the docket, from the
rights of detainees at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to a major constitutional test
of gun owners' rights. Morning Edition,
October 1, 2007.
A
Preview of the Upcoming '07 Term
David Savage, a reporter for the
Los Angeles Times, gives a sneak
preview of the cases coming up for the Supreme Court. On the docket: the
capital punishment debate, voter IDs, the right to bear arms, and a case
about habeas corpus at Guantanamo Bay.
Talk of the Nation, September 27, 2007.