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The power of five on the Supreme Court
The justices on the Supreme Court still have a few more opinions to issue this term, even if their minds are drifting toward their summer vacation plans. The final batch of opinions might include a 5-4 decision decided by the “swing” vote of Justice Anthony M. Kennedy. Court watchers often predict that outcome for a […]
Supreme Court justices head for enviable destinations on summer recess
WASHINGTON — The pay isn’t the best, but, oh, the travel opportunities that come with being a Supreme Court justice. Geneva, Rome, Lake Tahoe — and that’s only Justice Antonin Scalia’s summer itinerary. The justices often take full advantage of their lengthy summer break to travel abroad, and earn money for it, too. Justices can […]
Sidney Lumet and the law
As you may know, one of the great directors, Sidney Lumet, passed away over the weekend at the age of 86. Lumet was known for films such as 1976’s “Network” and 1975’s “Dog Day Afternoon,” but he also directed many films that focused on or around a courtroom. He directed dozens of TV series and […]
Justices weigh extent of exclusionary rule
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court justices seemed unwilling to hold that motor vehicle records obtained as a direct result of an illegal stop should be excluded from evidence as fruit of the poisonous tree. The case stems from a police stop of Jose Tolentino for driving a car that was playing music too loudly. The […]
Court says dying witness statement OK at trial
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Monday ruled against a defendant in a murder trial who wanted to exclude the dying victim’s identifying statements because the accused shooter had no chance to cross-examine the victim. The court voted 6-2 that when the statements are made to police officers who are trying to deal with an […]
Supreme Court OKs limits on child vaccine lawsuits
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld a federal law that bars lawsuits against drug makers for the serious side effects from childhood vaccines. By a 6-2 vote on Tuesday, the court ruled against the parents of a child who sued the drug maker Wyeth in Pennsylvania state court for the health problems they […]
Interest rate increase upheld under prior law
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court says a credit card company legally increased the interest rate on a man’s card without telling him. The high court on Monday ruled for Chase Bank USA and against James A. McCoy. McCoy complained that Chase increased his interest rate due to his delinquency or default, and applied that increase […]
Supreme Court considers ERISA reliance standard
WASHINGTON — If a summary of pension-plan benefits fails to notify employees of a benefit reduction, what relief can those employees seek? And must they prove detrimental reliance? Those were the issues the Supreme Court justices grappled with during Tuesday’s oral arguments in CIGNA Corp. v. Amara. Former Solicitor General Theodore Olson, now a partner […]
