[JURIST] AP is reporting that the Senate will begin confirmation hearings next Monday on the nomination [JURIST report] of John Roberts [JURIST news archive] as Chief Justice of the US. The Senate Judiciary Committee was originally scheduled to begin its hearings today on Roberts' nomination to replace Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, but the hearings were postponed [JURIST report] after President Bush tapped Roberts to replace Chief Justice William Rehnquist.

4:05 PM ET – The Senate Judiciary Committee [official website] has confirmed that confirmation hearings for John Roberts will begin next Monday at 12 Noon ET. AP has more. Audio of today's news conference [WMP] by Judiciary Committee chair Senator Arlen Specter on the timing of the Roberts hearings is now online via FedNet.

How do you expect the Roberts hearings to unfold now that he's been nominated as Chief Justice? How, if at all, should Senators change their strategy in questioning him? E-mail us at JURIST@law.pitt.edu.