Supreme Court

A U.S. flag sits on the lap of a newly sworn-in citizen at a 2018 naturalization ceremony in Alexandria, Va. A new appeal in one of the lawsuits over the addition of a citizenship question to the 2020 census could complicate final preparations for the hea

Appeal To Census Lawsuit Ruling Adds Uncertainty To Citizenship Question's Fate

8:12pm April 17, 2019

by Hansi Lo Wang

The Census Bureau is counting on the Supreme Court to resolve the legal battle by June so that 2020 census forms can be printed. But an appeal in a Maryland lawsuit could complicate that timeline.

Los Angeles artist Erik Brunetti, the founder of the streetwear clothing company "FUCT," leaves the Supreme Court after his trademark case was argued on Monday.

Politics & Government

Supreme Court Dances Around The F-Word With Real Potential Financial Consequences

8:38am April 16, 2019

by Nina Totenberg

Is a clothing line called "FUCT" entitled to get trademark protection? The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office said no. Now the Supreme Court must decide.

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Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed the "heartbeat bill" one day after it passed the Republican-led General Assembly.

A Bill Banning Most Abortions Becomes Law In Ohio

7:55pm April 11, 2019

by Gabe Rosenberg

The ACLU of Ohio and other organizations that advocate for abortion rights will sue to block the law, one of most restrictive in the country. "We're counting on [a lawsuit]," say the law's supporters.

Institute for Justice lawyer Wesley Hottot in his Seattle office. On the wall is a framed illustration of him arguing Timbs v. Indiana at the Supreme Court last fall.

National

Defining What's Excessive In Police Property Seizures Remains Tricky

8:24am April 09, 2019

by Martin Kaste

The Supreme Court ruled that seizing a $42,000 Land Rover was an "excessive fine" in a recent landmark decision on civil asset forfeiture. Future rulings will have to further define that term.

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President Trump listens as Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, who oversees the census, speaks at the White House. Ross approved including in the 2020 census the question, "Is this person a citizen of the United States?"

Trump Administration's Census Citizenship Question Plans Halted By 3rd Judge

8:42pm April 05, 2019

by Hansi Lo Wang

Plans to use the 2020 census to ask about U.S. citizenship status suffered another major blow. A ruling in Maryland joins earlier ones in New York and California blocking the citizenship question.

Death penalty opponent Herve Deschamps holds a sign during a vigil outside St. Francis Xavier College Church in St. Louis, hours before the 2014 scheduled execution of death row inmate Russell Bucklew.

Politics & Government

Supreme Court Closely Divides On 'Cruel And Unusual' Death Penalty Case

3:27pm April 01, 2019

by Domenico Montanaro

A divided court ruled against a Missouri man who said that because of a rare medical condition, death by lethal injection would constitute "cruel and unusual punishment."

The Supreme Court ruled in what seem to be contradictory ways in two cases about access to spiritual advisers during executions.

Politics & Government

Supreme Court Sees 2 Similar Death Penalty Questions Very Differently

12:17pm March 30, 2019

by Nina Totenberg

An Alabama man was denied the right to have his Muslim spiritual adviser in the death chamber. But a Texas prisoner's execution was delayed because he was denied his Buddhist minister.

The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday stayed the execution of a Buddhist inmate in Texas.

National

Supreme Court Halts Execution Of 'Texas 7' Inmate Denied Buddhist Spiritual Adviser

10:08am March 29, 2019

by Matthew S. Schwartz

Patrick Murphy, who escaped from prison and participated in a robbery that led to a murder, was scheduled to be executed Thursday. The court said he had the right to a spiritual adviser of his choice.

A bump stock, left, is a device that can be added to a gun to increase its firing speed. The devices were banned by the federal government his week.

Bump Stock Ban Proceeds After Supreme Court Denies Gun Advocates' Request To Halt It

3:25pm March 28, 2019

by Laurel Wamsley

Gun rights groups had a sought a hold on the ban, which went into effect on Tuesday. The court denied the second such appeal, allowing the ban to proceed while challenges move through the courts.

Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh had some sharp questions about partisan gerrymandering, as the court heard arguments on it Tuesday.

Politics & Government

Kavanaugh Seems Conflicted On Partisan Gerrymandering At Supreme Court Arguments

6:28pm March 26, 2019

The court once again appeared divided on whether redistricting could be done on the basis of politics. The newest justice seemed to be at least open to considering it as a problem.

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