Supreme Court of the United States

Supreme Court petitioned on police officers’ legal immunity

March 13, 2020 | Associated Press

James King had no idea that the men who grabbed him and took his wallet were plainclothes officers looking for a fugitive. King’s case is one of several taken up by the Arlington-based Institute for Justice in an effort to get the U.S. Supreme Court to reconsider the “qualified immunity” doctrine, which frequently shields police officers and other government agents from lawsuits when they are accused of violating a person’s constitutional rights.

Justices allow ‘remain in Mexico’ asylum policy to continue

March 11, 2020 | Associated Press

The Supreme Court of the United States on Wednesday said it would allow the Trump administration to continue enforcing a policy that makes asylum-seekers wait in Mexico for U.S. court hearings, despite lower court rulings that the policy probably is illegal.

Strong showing of intellectual disability prompts stay of federal execution

March 10, 2020 | Katie Stancombe

A federal judge in Indiana has granted a Louisiana man’s motion to stay his execution pending resolution of his habeas action, finding the man made a strong showing that he is intellectually disabled and as a result, the Federal Death Penalty Act forbids his execution.

US Supreme Court rejects ex-cop’s appeal of rape convictions

March 10, 2020 | Associated Press

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear an appeal for a former Oklahoma City police officer convicted of sexually assaulting black women he encountered while patrolling the city’s low-income neighborhoods.

Schumer: I ‘should not have used’ critical words on justices

March 6, 2020 | Associated Press

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said Thursday he “should not have used the words I used” when he declared at a rally in front of the Supreme Court that two justices would “pay the price” for their decision in an abortion case.

Justices OK state charges for immigrants who use fake IDs

March 5, 2020 | Associated Press

The Supreme Court made it easier Tuesday for states to prosecute immigrants who use fake Social Security numbers to get a job. The issue for the court was whether states could pursue the immigrants in court or had to leave those choices to the federal government, which typically has authority over immigration.

Roberts chides Schumer for ‘dangerous’ remarks on 2 justices

March 5, 2020 | Associated Press

Chief Justice John Roberts on Wednesday criticized as “inappropriate” and “dangerous” comments that Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer made outside the Supreme Court earlier in the day about Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh.

Supreme Court divided in 1st big abortion case of Trump era

March 5, 2020 | Associated Press and IL Staff

A seemingly divided Supreme Court struggled Wednesday with its first major abortion case of the Trump era, leaving Chief Justice John Roberts as the likely deciding vote.

President’s power to can independent agency heads faces test

March 3, 2020 | Associated Press

The Supreme Court is about to tell President Donald Trump whether he has more power to use a favorite phrase: “You’re fired.” A case being argued at the high court Tuesday could threaten the structure of agencies that form an enormous swath of the federal government. It has to do with whether a president can fire the heads of independent agencies for any reason.

Justices seem divided over court access for asylum seekers

March 3, 2020 | Associated Press

The Supreme Court appeared divided Monday over whether the government can deport people who fail initial asylum screenings without allowing them to make their case to a federal judge.

Supreme Court will decide fate of Obama health care law

March 2, 2020 | Associated Press and IL Staff

The Supreme Court agreed Monday to decide a lawsuit that threatens the Obama-era health care law, but the decision is not likely until after the 2020 election.

For a historic high court pick, Dems must think outside box

February 28, 2020 | Associated Press

Joe Biden is dangling a history-making promise shortly before South Carolina’s presidential primary Saturday, the first 2020 contest featuring a majority black electorate. Elect him president, Biden says, and he might nominate the first black woman to the Supreme Court.

Indiana ordered to pay $182K in abortion case attorney fees

February 26, 2020 | Olivia Covington

The state of Indiana is on the hook for more than $182,000 in attorney fees and costs related to a long-fought legal battle over a controversial abortion law that went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Trump says Ginsburg, Sotomayor should sit out cases, but they decide

February 25, 2020 | Associated Press

A month before the Supreme Court takes up cases over his tax returns and financial records, President Donald Trump on Tuesday made the unusual suggestion that two liberal justices should not take part in those or any other cases involving him or his administration.

Justices to hear dispute over same-sex foster parents

February 25, 2020 | Associated Press

The U.S. Supreme Court said Monday it will hear a dispute over a Philadelphia Catholic agency that won’t place foster children with same-sex couples, a big test of religious rights on a more conservative court.

High court closes courthouse door on slain Mexican teen’s family

February 25, 2020

The Supreme Court of the United States ruled 5-4 Tuesday to close the courthouse door on the parents of a Mexican teenager who was shot dead over the border by an American agent. The case tested a half-century-old Supreme Court decision that allows people to sue federal officials for constitutional violations.

Supreme Court upholds Arizona death sentence

February 25, 2020 | Associated Press

A sharply divided United States Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld the death sentence for an Arizona inmate who was convicted of killing two people in home burglaries nearly 30 years ago.

New Virginia sentencing law ends high court’s DC sniper case

February 25, 2020 | Associated Press

Lee Boyd Malvo, the Washington, D.C., area sniper, and the state of Virginia agreed Monday to dismiss a pending Supreme Court case after the state changed criminal sentencing law for juveniles.

Fetal remains bill heading to House floor

February 24, 2020 | Marilyn Odendahl

The Indiana House of Representatives was scheduled to hear a bill Monday that deals with the disposal of fetal remains, building on a similar provision in an abortion law the state passed in 2016 and was subsequently upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court.

SCOTUS considering South Bend abortion clinic case without evidence of clinic corrections

February 21, 2020 | Olivia Covington

The bid to take yet another Indiana abortion case to the United States Supreme Court will proceed without evidence of a South Bend abortion clinic’s efforts to correct state licensing violations. The procedural ruling comes as the nation’s highest court is set to consider the case in conference Friday.

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