[JURIST] In a unanimous decision Monday, the US Supreme Court [official website] declined to impose [JURIST report] stricter procedural limits on decisions by state officials to place certain inmates in "super-maximum security" prisons. Read the Court's opinion [PDF text] in Wilkinson v. Austin [Duke Law backgrounder].

Also Monday, the Supreme Court allowed the removal of cases from state court to federal court when disputes center around a quiet title action and the IRS has not provided adequate notice of seizure of private property. Read the Court's opinion [PDF text] in Grable & Sons v. Darue Engineering [Duke Law backgrounder].

The Court also ruled that if a defendant on trial or his defense attorney shows that the defense attorney explained the elements of the charge to the him, the voluntariness of a guilty plea can be inferred. Read the Court's opinion [PSF text] in Bradshaw v. Stumpf [Duke Law backgrounder].

Finally, the Court granted certiorari Monday in Wachovia Bank v. Schmidt, regarding whether a national bank is to be treated as a citizen of every state in which it conducts business. No other cases were granted cert; Monday's full Order List is here.