Category Archives: Supreme Court

“Is the Supreme Court Clueless About Corruption? Ask Jack Abramoff”

July 5, 2016, 9:19 ambribery, chicanery, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

Carl Hulse in the NYT: [corrected link] Take it from a corrupt lobbyist: When it comes to peddling influence and buying politicians, the Supreme Court just doesn’t get it. Jack Abramoff, the former superlobbyist who ended up in prison,… Continue reading

Influence of Justice Scalia Felt in Unanimous Decision Throwing Out Gov. McDonnell Conviction

June 27, 2016, 7:57 amchicanery, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

The Supreme Court’s unanimous ruling throwing out the conviction of Gov. McDonnell (while leaving open the possibility of a retrial on a narrower theory of the case) is sensible and courageous, and shows the continuing important influence of Justice Scalia… Continue reading

National Constitution Center Hires Lyle Denniston as Full-Time Supreme Court Correspondent

June 25, 2016, 5:44 pmSupreme CourtDan Tokaji

A great move for NCC, especially given the following that Lyle’s outstanding work at SCOTUSblog has earned.

Gov McDonnell Opinion Coming from SCOTUS Monday: What to Expect

June 23, 2016, 8:27 ambribery, chicanery, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

We know this because it is the last day of the term. It is possible there’s another 4-4 tie, but I doubt it. I’m expecting a Justice Breyer majority opinion reversing the conviction, with a dissent by Ginsburg (maybe joined… Continue reading

What’s Next in U.S. v. Texas Given SCOTUS 4-4 Tie?

June 23, 2016, 8:23 amSupreme CourtRick Hasen

Today’s 4-4 tie leaves a nationwide preliminary injunction in place, pending a trial on the merits before Judge Hanen, who has shown great hostility not only to the merits of President Obama’s immigration actions but also to the DOJ’s lawyering… Continue reading

“The Supreme Court’s Post-Scalia Term”

June 23, 2016, 6:38 amSupreme CourtRick Hasen

Linda Greenhouse column, heavy on the slow demise of Chevron deference.

No Information Released on Justice Scalia’s 2015 or 2016 Trips Before His Death

June 22, 2016, 3:50 pmCelebrity Justice, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

Adam Liptak for the NYT: Members of the Supreme Court took scores of trips paid for by private sponsors last year, according to the financial disclosure forms of eight justices released Wednesday. No information was provided concerning Justice Antonin Scalia,… Continue reading

“Get Ready: The Next ‘Citizens United’ Is Coming”

June 22, 2016, 7:05 amcampaign finance, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

Carrie Levine of CPI writes for Politico magazine. Earlier I wrote this Atlantic piece about the soft money case.

“Common Cause Announces Winners of National Contest to End Gerrymandering”

June 20, 2016, 12:53 pmredistricting, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

Release: Three academics with fresh ideas to identify and analyze how politicians draw legislative boundaries for political advantage have been declared the winners of Common Cause’s second annual Gerrymander Standard Writing Competition. 1st Place: Wendy Tam Cho and … Continue reading

“Commentary: A dysfunctional Supreme Court. Get used to it”

June 19, 2016, 9:33 pmSupreme CourtRick Hasen

Herman Schwartz and William Yeomans Reuters oped.

The Ultimate Woah If True Story

June 19, 2016, 3:43 pmSupreme CourtRick Hasen

End of conservative Supreme Court: Clarence Thomas may be next to leave. Update: Justice Thomas’s wife says no way.

“Radiolab Presents: More Perfect – The Political Thicket”

June 15, 2016, 6:47 amSupreme CourtRick Hasen

Oooh, this looks good! his story comes from Radiolab’s first ever spin-off podcast, More Perfect. To hear more, subscribe here. When Chief Justice Earl Warren was asked at the end of his career, “What was the most important case… Continue reading

Verrilli’s Regret

June 13, 2016, 7:28 amSupreme Court, Voting Rights ActRick Hasen

From must-read Adam Liptak exit interview with the outgoing SG: The loss he most regrets, Mr. Verrilli said, was in 2013, in Shelby County v. Holder, which effectively struck down the heart of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.… Continue reading

“Modern Elections Are Corruption, Sen. Al Franken Argues”

June 10, 2016, 7:27 amcampaign finance, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

HuffPo: “Well, I’m in the Senate. And it appears like there’s corruption to me,” said Franken. Without naming names, Franken pointed to the case of Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), who briefly broke with his party to support holding hearings… Continue reading