The US Supreme Court heard oral arguments in two cases on Monday, including the first high-profile gun control law case in over a decade. In New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. City of New York, the court heard arguments in its first major gun control case since District of Columbia v. Heller dramatically [...]
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The PACT Act: A Step in the Right Direction on the Path to Animal Welfare
Nine years ago, President Obama signed into law a bill proscribing the distribution of so-called “animal crush” videos, which are depictions of a practice that is as disturbing as it sounds: the killing of animals (puppies, kittens, mice, bunnies, goats, and others) slowly and excruciatingly, often by provocatively-dressed women who stand on the animals while [...]
Supreme Court rejects oil companies' bid for stay in Baltimore climate change suit
The US Supreme Court declined to grant a stay to BP Plc and several other oil and gas companies Tuesday in a Baltimore lawsuit against the companies, solidifying a remand order issued by the US District Court for the District of Maryland. The Mayor and City Council of Baltimore sued in state court last year [...]
Supreme Court allows warrantless blood alcohol test of unconscious driver
The US Supreme Court ruled Thursday in Mitchell v. Wisconsin, a case surrounding the administration of a warrantless blood alcohol concentration (BAC) test to Mitchell who was unconscious at the time of the test. Justice Samuel Alito wrote that in such circumstances where the driver is unconscious, the court holds that the “exigent circumstances rule [...]
Supreme Court overturns Tennessee law requiring in-state residency to sell alcohol
The US Supreme Court on Wednesday overturned a Tennessee law that required applicants wishing to sell alcohol to maintain Tennessee residency. Tennessee currently imposes demanding residential requirements for anyone looking to participate in the distribution of alcohol in the state. Tennessee requires individuals seeking a liquor license to be in-state residence for at least two [...]
Supreme Court rules mandatory sentence based on new crime during supervised release unconstitutional
The US Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that a mandatory minimum sentence issued at revocation of supervised release based on a new crime without a jury trial is unconstitutional. United States v. Haymond addresses the case of Andre Haymond, who was originally convicted on charges of possessing child pornography. Haymond served 38 months in prison and [...]
Supreme Court denies right to punitive damages in unseaworthiness claim
The US Supreme Court on Monday denied a seaman the right to punitive damages for an unseaworthiness claim. Christopher Batterton was a deckhand for The Dutra Group on various vessels. Batterton’s hand was permanently damaged when a hatch blew open and crushed it due to a buildup of pressurized air below deck. Batterton sued The [...]
The US Supreme Court held in a 7-2 decision on Friday that undocumented immigrants must know both that they are in the country illegally and that they belong to a class that is proscribed from possessing firearms to be prosecuted under federal law. The petitioner, Hamid Mohamed Ahmed Ali Rehaif, whose F-1 student visa had [...]
US Supreme Court rules in favor of Congress delegating legislative power
The Supreme Court held on Thursday that Congress did not transgress the nondelegation doctrine by allowing the Attorney General to decide how the registration requirements of the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) should apply to individuals convicted prior to the statute’s enactment. Justice Kagan announced the judgment of the court and was joined [...]
US Supreme Court rules Bladensburg Memorial Cross Constitutional
The Supreme Court of the United States in a 7-2 decision held on Thursday that the 40 foot tall Bladensburg Memorial Cross is Constitutional, does not violate the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause, and does not have to be removed, in a reversal of the Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit’s decision. Justices Ginsburg and [...]