[JURIST] The US Supreme Court Monday declined to consider whether hundreds of criminals sentenced prior to US v. Booker [JURIST report; opinion] - a landmark ruling on federal sentencing guidelines - should receive reduced prison sentences, despite Justice Department urging that the dispute be heard. AP has more. The Court also took no action to resolve a dispute over the meaning of a 2003 decision involving the use of a federal RICO anti-racketeering law to stop blockades seeking to obstruct the operation of abortion clinics.

The Court granted certiorari in two cases to be heard next term: Illinois Tool Works v. Independent Ink, regarding patented and unpatented products and restraints employing antitrust law; and Buckeye Check Cashing v. Cardegna, a dispute over whether arbitration can be avoided by filing a second case claiming a contract is illegal. Monday's full Order List is here [PDF].