[JURIST] The US Supreme Court granted certiorari Friday in Virginia v. Hicks [US SC docket] (trespass, First and Fourteenth Amendments; read the lower court ruling [text]) and Beneficial National Bank v. Anderson [US SC docket] (usury, National Bank Act; read the lower court ruling [text]). The official Order List is now available [Order List text, PDF].

[JURIST] First on JURIST! Visit the new US Department of Homeland Security website. The Department formally came into being Friday afternoon with the swearing-in of Governor Tom Ridge as its first Secretary. Watch recorded video of the swearing-in ceremony, with remarks by President Bush. Review the Executive Order [text] issued by the President in connection with the establishment of the new Department.

[JURIST] US District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema issued an order [PDF text] Friday directing that terrorist suspect Zacarias Moussaoui be given the hardware and software necessary to connect to the discovery information website developed for him by the Federal Public Defender's office. Moussaoui is prohibited from accessing the general Internet or any other site other than that provided for him.

[JURIST] Late on Thursday, the Senate approved by voice vote a spending-bill amendment [PDF text] proposed by Oregon Senator Ron Wyden blocking the use of funds for development of the Total Information Awareness surveillance program pending assessment of its impact on civil liberties. In the meantime, however, the program and its current funding base remain. Read the press release from Senator Wyden's office.

[JURIST] The Senate Judiciary Committee, now chaired by Republican Senator Orrin Hatch, met Friday to consider the nomination of Miguel Estrada [DOJ profile] to the US DC Circuit Court of Appeals and legislation regarding sexual exploitation of children and identity theft. Read the opening statement [text] by outgoing Chairman Senator Patrick Leahy. All matters scheduled were ultimately held over - review the Markup Summary [PDF text] from the Committee.