NPR Coverage of the 2007-08 Term
of the US Supreme Court
updated 1 July 2008

• So Long 2007 Term
  The Supreme Court is in recess for the summer, but the justices ended this week with some major and very close decisions. NPR legal affairs correspondent Nina Totenberg talks with Scott Simon about the end of the court term.  Weekend Edition Saturday, June 28, 2008.

• Second Amendment IV
  The Supreme Court for the first time ruled that the Second Amendment guarantees individuals the right to own a gun. The 5-4 opinion said the justices expect new cases to test the boundaries of government limits on those lawfully held guns.  All Things Considered, June 26, 2008 ·

• Second Amendment III
  Americans have the right to own guns for self-defense and hunting, proclaimed the U.S. Supreme Court today in its first definitive ruling on gun rights in history. The 5-4 decision deems the District of Columbia's 32-year ban on handguns as incompatible with gun rights under the Second Amendment. Tell Me More, June 26, 2008.

• Second Amendment II
  The Supreme Court's decision Thursday to overturn the District of Columbia's 32-year-old ban on handguns is the high court's first conclusive interpretation of the Second Amendment since its ratification in 1791.  NPR.org, June 26, 2008.

• Second Amendment, Heller-style
  In a dramatic moment on the last day of this term, the Supreme Court declared for the first time that the Second Amendment protects an individual's right to self-defense and gun ownership. NPR.org, June 26, 2008 ·

• The Court Limits the Punitive Judgment in the Exxon Valdez Case
  The Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that the punitive damages imposed on Exxon, stemming from the huge oil spill in Prince William Sound, Alaska, were excessive. The justices said the punitive damages should not be more than the compensatory damages.  All Things Considered, June 25, 2008.

• Supremes Strike Down Capital Punishment for Child Rape
  The Supreme Court has outlawed executions of people convicted of raping a child. The court was considering a Louisiana law that allowed for such executions. The ruling said the law violates the Constitution's ban on cruel and unusual punishment.  All Things Considered, June 25, 2008.

• Supreme Court Strikes Down Military Commission Act
  Foreign terrorism suspects being held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, have rights under the U.S. Constitution to challenge their detention in civilian courts, the Supreme Court ruled Thursday.  All Things Considered, June 12, 2008.

• Court Upholds Indiana Voter ID Law

  The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that states can require voters to show identity cards, rejecting arguments that this amounts to an unconstitutional burden, especially on the elderly and minority groups.  Morning Edition, April 29, 2008.

• Oral Arguments in Millionaire's Amendment Case
  The Supreme Court hears arguments on the so-called "millionaire's amendment" — a provision in the McCain-Feingold federal campaign finance law that allows the opponent of a big-spending, self-financed candidate to raise more contributions, while still staying eligible for federal funding. The amendment is triggered when one candidate spends $350,000 of his or her own money.  All Things Considered, April 22, 2008.

• Once More With Feeling... Court Takes Up Campaign Finance (Again)
  The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday hears a challenge to the campaign finance law provision called the Millionaire's Amendment. The amendment requires that candidates who spend more than $350,000 of their own money on a campaign must publicly disclose large purchases. The former candidate who brought the suit claims the requirement gives opponents an unfair advantage in planning campaign policy.  Morning Edition, April 22, 2008.

• Court Upholds Three-Drug Execution Protocol
  The Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that states may execute condemned prisoners with a sequence of three drugs that had been challenged as "cruel and unusual punishment" in a Kentucky case. In a separate case, justices are weighing whether it's constitutional to sentence someone to death for raping a child.  All Things Considered, April 16, 2008.

• Can States Execute Convicted Child Rapists?
  The Supreme Court on Wednesday takes up a major death penalty case testing whether capital punishment is constitutional for the rape of a child. It is the first time that the newly constituted Supreme Court will be examining what the standards are for determining what crimes can be punished by execution.  Morning Edition, April 16, 2008.

• Judge's Posture When Deviating From Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
  The Supreme Court on Tuesday hears a case involving whether a judge must notify the defense if he deviates from the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. A pre-sentence report recommended a sentence of 41 to 51 months in prison for a California man who pleaded guilty to threatening his wife. Without notifying defense counsel, the judge rejected the recommendation and instead sentenced the man to the maximum penalty of five years in prison.  Morning Edition, April 15, 2008.

• Is Mental Competence a Measure of Self-Representation Right
   Today the US Supreme Court took up a question that has plagued trial courts across the country. If a person is sane enough to stand trial, does that mean he is mentally competent to represent himself?  All Things Considered, March 26, 2008.

• Supremes Hold for States Over Treaties and the Executive
  The U.S. Supreme Court delivered a major opinion on Tuesday that limits the force of many U.S. treaties and rejects President Bush's assertion that he can unilaterally order state governments to comply with treaties.  All Things Considered, March 25, 2008.

• The Supremes Return to the War on Terror
  The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday hears arguments on whether American citizens held by U.S. forces in Iraq may be turned over to Iraqi courts without recourse in U.S. courts. Two Americans are being held by the military in Iraq. They are accused of aiding terrorists.  Morning Edition, March 25, 2008.

• Oral Arguments in D.C. Gun Control Case
  The Supreme Court hears arguments on a District of Columbia law that essentially bans handgun ownership. It was the first time in nearly 70 years that the high court examined a case involving the Second Amendment and the right to bear arms. All Things Considered, March 18, 2008

• Set Up of D.C. Gun Control Case
  For the first time in nearly 70 years, the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday will enter the constitutional debate over the Second Amendment right to bear arms.  Morning Edition, March 18, 2008.

• Second Amendment Case Splits (sorta) the Bush Administration
  This week the Supreme Court will hear a case that tests whether the Constitution's Second Amendment guarantees an individual right to bear arms. It's the first time in 70 years the Justices have addressed the question.  Weekend Edition Sunday, March 16, 2008.

• U.S. Citizen, War on Terror, and Iraqi Court Authority
  The U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the case of Mohammed Munaf, a U.S. citizen detained by the U.S. military Iraq and tried in an Iraqi court for kidnapping. Munaf was then sentenced to death.  But now, Munaf's lawyers have formally notified the Supreme Court that an Iraqi appellate court has set aside his conviction, as the supposed basis for his conviction — a transcript of Munaf's confession and written statements of witnesses against him — could not be found.  Munaf has been in the custody of the multinational force near Baghdad International Airport. His U.S. case is scheduled for argument in the Supreme Court on March 25.  All Things Considered, February 29, 2008.

• Oral Arguments in Exxon Case
  The Supreme Court heard arguments from Exxon today that the amount the corporation has been ordered to pay as a result of the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska is unreasonable.   Lawyers representing fishermen, Native Alaskans and others say the punitive damages are necessary, because Exxon has not shown that it takes responsibility for the spill and it has fired only one person over the incident: the captain of the Exxon Valdez.   All Things Considered, February 27, 2008.

• Punitive Damages, Maritime Law, and Exxon

  Nineteen years ago, the supertanker Exxon Valdez, loaded with millions of gallons of crude oil, ran aground in Alaskan waters, resulting in the most notorious oil spill in modern times. After a five-month trial and two appeals, Exxon was ordered to pay $2.5 billion in punitive damages. On Wednesday, the Supreme Court hears Exxon Mobil Corp.'s claim that it should pay no punitive damages at all.  Morning Edition, February 27, 2008.

• Supremes Allow Suit Against 401(k) Administrators
  The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that a man may sue the administrators of his 401(k) account because they didn't follow his buy and sell instructions, causing him to lose money.  Morning Edition, February 21, 2008.

• The Court Holds for the National Government in a Series of Cases
  The Supreme Court issued a number of rulings Wednesday that uphold federal over state law. Among them is a decision that, if a medical device is approved by the federal government, consumers may not sue the manufacturer under state statutes. Another ruling invalidates parts of Maine's law regulating the transportation of tobacco with the aim of keeping it away from minors. Nina Totenberg reports.  All Things Considered, February 20, 2008.

• New Workplace Discrimination Case May Open the Door for Reconsideration of Some Civil Rights Laws
  The U.S. Supreme Court hears arguments Wednesday in a case testing whether workers who claim they are fired for complaining about racial discrimination may sue for damages under a key civil rights statute.  Morning Edition, February 20, 2008.

• Defrauded Investors S.O.L. if Seeking Compensation from Secondary Parties
  The Supreme Court gives the business community a major victory. By a 5-3 vote, the justices block almost all efforts by investors to recover losses from secondary players in schemes to defraud stockholders. The ramifications involve suits like the one brought by Enron investors against banks that are accused of helping Enron conceal its perilous financial condition.  Morning Edition, January 16, 2008.

• Search of Misdemeanor Traffic Violator
  Supreme Court justices heard arguments in the case of a man who was stopped for driving with a suspended license in Virginia. Instead of following a state law that directs police to write a ticket and let suspended drivers go, officers arrested David Moore and searched him. They found crack cocaine in his jacket and Moore was convicted and sentenced to prison. The Virginia Supreme Court overturned the conviction, saying the cocaine should never have been admitted.  Morning Edition, January 15, 2008.

• No Man Can Be a Judge in His Own Cause: Judge Alex to the Supreme Court in a Preemption Dispute
  While television's Judge Alex usually measures his success in ratings for his TV show of the same name, he's now turning to the Supreme Court. He's looking to the U.S. Supreme Court justices' votes in a contract dispute between him and his manager.  Morning Edition, January 14, 2008.

• Justices Skeptical of Arguments Against Voter ID Law
  The Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday on whether states may require government-issued photo identification cards as proof of identity for voters at the polls. At issue is a strict Indiana law, but many other states have similar laws.  All Things Considered, January 9, 2008.

• Voter ID Case Before the Court

  Politics is front and center at the Supreme Court on Wednesday, as the justices examine the constitutionality of laws requiring voters to show a government-issued photo ID in order to cast a ballot. Although 24 states have enacted such laws in recent years, Democrats contend that they suppress voter turnout.  Morning Edition, January 9, 2008 .

• Oral Arguments in the Lethal Injection Case
  The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday heard arguments on whether the method of execution used in most states violates the Constitution's ban on cruel and unusual punishment. This was not a challenge to the death penalty itself, but to the way lethal injections are administered in 36 out of 37 states that have death penalty laws. At issue is the protocol in Kentucky.  All Things Considered, January 7, 2008.

• Supremes to Hear Voter ID Case from Indiana
  The Supreme Court is poised to hear Indiana's Voter ID Law, requiring voters to present a government-issued photo ID such as a driver's license or passport. Critics claim that having to show an ID to vote makes it difficult for the poor, elderly and minority voters who, for the most part, vote democratic. Defending the law, Indiana's attorney general says that the state is just trying to prevent possible future fraud.  Morning Edition, January 7, 2008.

• Methods of Lethal Injection Before the Court
  On Monday, the U.S. Supreme court examines whether lethal injection, the method used to execute convicted killers in almost all the states that have the death penalty, is unconstitutionally cruel and unusual punishment. Morning Edition, January 7, 2008.

• Sentencing Decisions and Crack Cocaine
  Nearly 20,000 people convicted of drug offenses could find out today if they'll be spending less time in prison. The U.S. Sentencing Commission may reduce the extra punishment that's given for crimes involving crack, as compared to powdered, cocaine.  Morning Edition, December 11, 2007.

• Supremes Allow Deviations from Sentencing Guideline Seandards
  Two years ago, the Supreme Court ruled that federally mandated guidelines could only be advisory, otherwise they would be unconstitutional.  Since then, however, federal prosecutors, backed by the appellate courts, have continued efforts to limit trial judges' discretion, telling them that any significant deviation from the guidelines was not acceptable. On Monday, by a 7-to-2 vote, the Supreme Court basically put an end to that practice, telling the lower courts that advisory means exactly what it says: that judges should consider the guidelines, but not be bound by them.  All Things Considered, 10 December 2007.

• More on Boumediene Oral Argument
  The Supreme Court hears arguments for a third time in a case involving whether the prisoners classified as enemy combatants and held at Guantanamo Bay are entitled to challenge their detention in U.S. courts. The prisoners have been held for six years.  Morning Edition, December 6, 2007.

• Oral Arguments in Boumediene v. Bush... the Guantanamo Bay Detention Cases
  On Wednesday, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments for a third time in a major case involving the rights of detainees at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The importance of the case was underlined by the fact that for the first time this term, the court authorized the same day release of audio of the argument.  All Things Considered, December 5, 2007.

  • Oral Arguments in Boumediene v. Bush, 5 December 2007

• Set Up: Supremes Hear Gitmo Cases Today
  The U.S. Supreme Court is due Wednesday to hear arguments on the rights of detainees at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, marking the third time it has taken up the matter.  Morning Edition, December 5, 2007.

• Cole and Yoo on Gitmo Cases
  On Wednesday, the Supreme Court will hear arguments to consider the constitutionality of Guantanamo detainees' detention without trial. Commentators and lawyers David Cole and John Yoo both see historic parallels with other famous Supreme Court cases. Their viewpoints lead them to opposing legal arguments.  All Things Considered, December 4, 2007.

• Racial Jury Selection Again Before the Supreme Court
  The Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday in a murder case involving a black defendant and a jury from which all of the potential black jurors had been removed. The defendant was convicted and sentenced to death.  All Things Considered, December 4, 2007.

• Supremes Grant Cert. in D.C. Gun Control Case
  The Supreme Court agreed Tuesday to review the District of Columbia's nearly complete ban on the right to own and use a handgun. The city is appealing a ruling that said the ban is unconstitutional under the Second Amendment. It has been more than a half-century since the Supreme Court last interpreted the Second Amendment. The amendment has sometimes been read to protect each American's right to have a gun, and other times to protect that right only in connection with military service.  All Things Considered, November 20, 2007.

• Oral Arguments in the Child Porn Case
  The Supreme Court on Tuesday heard arguments on a federal law barring child pornography. Challengers say the law is too broad and could interfere with protected speech.  All Things Considered, October 30, 2007.

• Court to Hear Challenge to Federal Child Pornography Law
  The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday will examine yet another congressional attempt to legislate against sexually explicit material on the Internet that involves children.  Morning Edition, October 30, 2007.

• Oral Arguments in the Medellin Case
  The Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday in a case involving a Mexican national who was arrested in Texas and confessed to murder without being told of his right, under U.S. treaty, to be given access to diplomats from his home country.  All Things Considered, October 10, 2007.

• The President, The States, and the Treaty Power
  Jose Medellin, a Mexican man on death row in Texas has an unlikely ally in a case before the U.S. Supreme Court. President Bush is asking the court to order the state to abide by an international court ruling that required it to notify Mexican authorities when the man was arrested. Texas courts have said the ruling has no weight in Texas and the president has no power to order its enforcement.  Morning Edition, October 10, 2007.

• Oral Arguments in Third Party Fraud Case
  At the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday, the justices heard arguments in a case widely viewed as the most important test of investor rights in decades. At issue is whether defrauded investors seeking to recover losses can sue third parties such as banks, accounting firms, and insurance companies that were involved in a stock manipulation.  All Things Considered, October 9, 2007.

• Third-Party Liability for Fraud
  The U.S. Supreme Court is due to hear arguments in a case testing the rights of investors who are asking to recover losses from third parties, such as insurance and accounting firms, and banks that they say help corporations perpetrate a fraud.  Morning Edition, October 9, 2007.

• Oral Arguments in Sentencing Cases
  The Supreme Court hears arguments in two drug-crime cases Tuesday. One is a further test of the new use of the old sentencing rules, which the court has found to be guidelines rather than rigid requirements. The other tests the federal law that requires longer sentences for crack-cocaine violations than for powder cocaine violations.  All Things Considered, October 2, 2007.

• Sentencing Guidelines and Judicial Independence and Autonomy
  The U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear arguments in two cases testing the limits of judicial discretion in federal sentencing. In 2005, the Supreme Court ruled guidelines would be unconstitutional if they were binding on judges, and that therefore the guidelines can only be considered advisory.  Morning Edition, October 2, 2007.

• Nina Totenberg on the '07 Term
  The U.S. Supreme Court formally opens its new term Monday, and as always, some of the most pressing national controversies are on the docket, from the rights of detainees at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to a major constitutional test of gun owners' rights.   Morning Edition, October 1, 2007.

• A Preview of the Upcoming '07 Term
  David Savage, a reporter for the Los Angeles Times, gives a sneak preview of the cases coming up for the Supreme Court. On the docket: the capital punishment debate, voter IDs, the right to bear arms, and a case about habeas corpus at Guantanamo Bay.  Talk of the Nation, September 27, 2007.

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