Judicial independence is key to checking Congress and the president: Chief Justice Roberts

Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts on May 7 emphasized the importance of maintaining the judiciary’s independence as a check on government power during a visit to his birthplace of Buffalo, New York. Roberts, who presides over Supreme Court arguments … Continue reading Judicial independence is key to checking Congress and the president: Chief Justice Roberts

Supreme Court Justice Jackson says criticisms of judges are ‘attacks on our democracy’

Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson said on May 1 that recent criticisms of judges are “attacks on our democracy.” Jackson apparently commented on President Donald Trump’s recent criticisms of some judges, although she did not specifically mention Trump during … Continue reading Supreme Court Justice Jackson says criticisms of judges are ‘attacks on our democracy’

Supreme Court grapples with discrimination lawsuit against Labcorp

The Supreme Court struggled this week with a complex discrimination lawsuit that blind patients filed against Labcorp over self-service kiosks they could not use. The case, Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings v. Davis, was heard on April 29. The petitioner does business with the public as Labcorp. The respondents are blind Labcorp patients, including Luke Davis and Julian Vargas. The issue in the case is whether a federal district court may certify a class action that includes claimants who have not experienced an injury. In a class action, one or more plaintiffs sue on behalf of a “class,” or a … Continue reading Supreme Court grapples with discrimination lawsuit against Labcorp

Supreme Court seems inclined to green-light first publicly funded religious charter school

The U.S. Supreme Court on April 30 seemed inclined to overturn an Oklahoma court ruling denying authorization for the nation’s first publicly funded religious charter school. Justice Amy Coney Barrett recused herself and did not participate in the case known … Continue reading Supreme Court seems inclined to green-light first publicly funded religious charter school

Supreme Court hears compensation claim for former Marine with PTSD

The Supreme Court on April 28 considered if the federal government may, after six years, cut off combat-related special compensation to a veteran suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Veterans are allowed to seek retroactive, combat-related special compensation (CRSC), but … Continue reading Supreme Court hears compensation claim for former Marine with PTSD

Supreme Court may rule for epileptic student alleging school denied special accommodations

The Supreme Court on April 28 seemed sympathetic to an epileptic student’s family that is suing a Minnesota school district, alleging that the school illegally denied special accommodation. The oral argument in A.J.T. v. Osseo Area Schools became heated when … Continue reading Supreme Court may rule for epileptic student alleging school denied special accommodations

Supreme Court seems inclined to let energy companies sue California over emissions rules

The U.S. Supreme Court seemed inclined during an April 23 oral argument to revive a lawsuit filed by energy companies over California’s tough vehicle emissions standards. The case is Diamond Alternative Energy LLC v. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The lead … Continue reading Supreme Court seems inclined to let energy companies sue California over emissions rules

Supreme Court cancels temporary block of Ohio’s qualified immunity ballot initiative

The U.S. Supreme Court on April 22 withdrew its April 10 order temporarily preventing Ohio voters who support repealing the qualified immunity rule from gathering signatures to place the issue on a future state ballot. Three justices dissented, indicating they would … Continue reading Supreme Court cancels temporary block of Ohio’s qualified immunity ballot initiative

Supreme Court seems to favor allowing parents to opt-out from pro-LGBT books in schools

The Supreme Court seemed receptive on April 22 to Maryland parents who want to opt their young children out of having to be taught from storybooks that promote LGBT lifestyles. The justices heard 2 1/2 hours of oral argument in Mahmoud v. Taylor. The case goes back to November 2022, when the Montgomery County Board of Education mandated new “LGBTQ-inclusive” storybooks for elementary school students that promote gender transitions, Pride parades, and same-sex romance between young children. The board instructed employees responsible for selecting the books to use an “LGBTQ+ Lens” and to question whether “cisnormativity,” “stereotypes,” and “power hierarchies” … Continue reading Supreme Court seems to favor allowing parents to opt-out from pro-LGBT books in schools

Supreme Court rules 5-4 that deportees get extra time when deadline falls on non-business day

The Supreme Court ruled 5–4 on April 22 that illegal immigrants who agree to self-deportation should be given extra time to appeal a deportation order if the departure deadline occurs on a weekend or a holiday. The majority opinion in … Continue reading Supreme Court rules 5-4 that deportees get extra time when deadline falls on non-business day