Supreme Court Watch

May 13, 2013

Supreme Court Unanimously Rules to Uphold Monsanto's Soybean Patent

Supreme Court Tackles Case of Patent Law, Human Genetics
April 15, 2013
The Supreme Court heard arguments in a case on whether a biotech company can patent a gene associated with cancer. Jeffrey Brown gets details from National Law Journal's Marcia Coyle, plus viewpoints from Ellen Matloff of Yale Cancer Center, a plaintiff in the case, and Kevin Noonan, an intellectual property attorney.
Sandra Day O'Connor Explores Supreme Court History, Inner Workings
April 4, 2013
Sandra Day O'Connor made Supreme Court history as the first female justice to serve on the bench. In her new book, "Out of Order," she explores other aspects of history at the high court, as well as her own approach to service. O'Connor talks with Judy Woodruff about making tough decisions and women in the legal profession.
Debating Discrimination, Extent of Federal Authority in Defense of Marriage Act
March 27, 2013
While the Supreme Court considers arguments for and against the federal Defense of Marriage Act, Judy Woodruff moderates a debate between Ken Klukowski, director of the Center for Religious Liberty at the Family Research Center, and Mary Bonauto, special counsel for the group Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders.
Supreme Court Considers Legality of Denying Benefits to Married Same-Sex Couples
March 27, 2013
The Supreme Court took up whether same-sex couples should get the same federal benefits as heterosexual couples. Kwame Holman offers history on the Defense of Marriage Act and reactions from outside the court. Ray Suarez talks to National Law Journal's Marcia Coyle, who helps compare proceedings on both same-sex marriage cases.
High Court Skeptical of Federal Defense of Marriage Act
March 27, 2013
Following the oral arguments at the Supreme Court challenging the Defense of Marriage Act, known as DOMA, attorney Roberta Kaplan and plaintiff Edith Windsor, among others, spoke outside the court.
In Second Day on Gay Marriage, Supreme Court Takes Up DOMA
March 27, 2013
For a second day, the topic's the same. The Supreme Court will again examine the constitutionality of a case related to same-sex marriage, this time on whether a federal law violates the Fifth Amendment's equal protection clause.
Supreme Court Takes Up Gay Marriage for First Time
March 26, 2013
Tuesday's arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court involving California's ban on same-sex marriage, known as Proposition 8, boil down to this: Can a popular vote revoke a privilege already granted by a state government? Does the 14th Amendment prevent California from defining marriage as between a man and a woman?
Support for Gay Marriage Grows as Supreme Court Cases Near
March 19, 2013
A new national poll reflecting a major evolution on attitudes toward gay marriage highlights the continued cultural shifts on the issue one week before it faces a monumental test at the Supreme Court.
High Court Hears Case on Conflict Between State, Federal Voter Registration Law
March 18, 2013
The Supreme Court heard arguments on a voter registration law in Arizona that requires voters to provide physical proof of citizenship in order to decrease voter fraud. The case pits the state law against federal law, and opponents say it unfairly targets minorities. Gwen Ifill talks to Marcia Coyle of the National Law Journal.
Is Discrimination History Provision of Voting Rights Act Still Relevant?
Feb. 27, 2013
Does the U.S. still need the Voting Rights Act? Or have we made extraordinary progress fighting racial discrimination, making it obsolete? Judy Woodruff talks with representatives from both sides of the argument: Hans von Spakovsky of the Heritage Foundation and Sherrilyn Ifill from the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund.
Supreme Court Hears Arguments Against Key Provision of Voting Rights Act
Feb. 27, 2013
The Supreme Court heard arguments over a provision in the landmark Voting Rights Act, which requires states with a history of racial discrimination to get approval by the Justice Department before making any changes to voting rules. Marcia Coyle of the National Law Journal was in court and talks to Jeffrey Brown.
Remembering the Voting Rights Act of 1965
Feb. 26, 2013
The Supreme Court's attention on the Voting Rights Act of 1965 allows PBS NewsHour to look back in history, too. We asked viewers to share memories surrounding the passage of the law and the civil rights era. We received nearly 70 calls from 26 states.
Case on Police Collecting DNA From Criminals Reaches Supreme Court
Feb. 26, 2013
A man was arrested in Maryland and police officers took a DNA sample that connected him to an unrelated crime. The Supreme Court is now weighing whether the Fourth Amendment should protect him from that kind of search. Ray Suarez gets analysis and context on the case from Marcia Coyle of the National Law Journal.
Our Past Still Speaks: Re-examining the Voting Rights Act
Feb. 26, 2013
Whether or not you support the continued renewal of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, there are questions surrounding it worth pondering because the answers are not easy. This is a country where plenty has changed in race relations since 1965, but our past still speaks. Now it's up to the Supreme Court to decide how loudly.
Gwen's Take: Inside the Supreme Court with Sonia Sotomayor
Feb. 21, 2013
It's easy to hear Justice Sonia Sotomayor coming. Her voice arrives before she does, as she greets the guards by name, calls every other person she passes "sweetie," and generally brings gusts of fresh air with her wherever she goes. It's as if the Bronx has come to Washington.
Sotomayor: 'Every Day We Live Our Life, We Make a Choice'
Feb. 20, 2013
On Wednesday's NewsHour, Sotomayor talks with Gwen Ifill more about her past and her experience as a Supreme Court justice. Watch a web-only excerpt for more of their conversation.
Justice Sotomayor Talks Life Before and on the Bench in 'My Beloved World'
Feb. 20, 2013
Justice Sonia Sotomayor is the first Hispanic justice -- and one of the youngest ever -- to serve on the Supreme Court. Her new memoir, "My Beloved World," talks about her early life and difficult childhood. Justice Sotomayor talks with Gwen Ifill about her adjustment to "the bench" and the importance of an open mind.
Supreme Court Case on Monsanto Seeds Tests Limitations of Patent Law
Feb. 19, 2013
A suit between biotech giant Monsanto and an Indiana farmer has reached the high court. Gwen Ifill dissects the case with Marcia Coyle of the National Law Journal. Ray Suarez discusses broader implications with Bert Foer of the American Antitrust Institute and Todd Dickinson of the American Intellectual Property Law Association.
Roe v. Wade's Influence Felt on 1992 Abortion Case
Jan. 22, 2013
On June 29 1992, the Supreme Court released their decision upholding Roe v. Wade and adopting a rule of "undue burden" to regulate the constitutionality of abortion regulations. That day, the PBS NewsHour, then The MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour, dedicated the entire show to the court's decision. Here is an excerpt from that show.
High Court Examines Whether the Police Need a Warrant to Test Blood Alcohol
Jan. 9, 2013
Supreme Court justices heard arguments on whether police officers could force a drunk driving suspect to take a blood alcohol test without a warrant. Jeffrey Brown talks to National Law Journal's Marcia Coyle for more on the arguments, which centered on interpretation of warrant requirements.
Health Reform May Be Headed Back to Supreme Court in 2013
Jan. 1, 2013
Should old acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind? Maybe not for the Affordable Care Act. Looks like 2013 will include many of the characters who made 2012 such a nerve-racking year for the health care reform law -- everyone from state-level Republican leaders to Supreme Court justices.
Democrats Set Stage for Supreme Court Defense of Voting Rights Act Provision
Dec. 20, 2012
With the Supreme Court set to hear a challenge to a main provision of the Voting Rights Act in February, advocates argued Wednesday that the November elections only underscored the need for the law and its protections of minority voting rights.
Remembering Robert Bork: Law-and-Order Conservative, Supreme Court Nominee Judge
Dec. 19, 2012
Federal judge and former solicitor general Robert H. Bork died at age 85 of complications from heart disease. A World War II and Korean War veteran, he is best known for his failed nomination for a U.S. Supreme Court and his conviction that judges should interpret the Constitution with the founders' "original intent" in mind.
Robert Bork, Supreme Court nominee, dies at 85
Dec. 19, 2012
Federal judge and former solicitor general Robert H. Bork died Wednesday, of complications from heart disease. A Korean war veteran, private practice lawyer and Yale Law professor, he is best known for his failed nomination in 1987 to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court.
Supreme Court Agrees to Review Laws Banning Same-Sex Marriage
Dec. 7, 2012
The Supreme Court announced plans to review challenges to two laws regarding same-sex marriage: a California state law and the federal Defense of Marriage Act's provision, which both define marriage as between a man and a women. Margaret Warner looks at what's at stake with National Law Journal's Marcia Coyle.

An Inside Look at Backstories of Big Decisions in Chief Justice Roberts' Court

May 9, 2013

In her new book, "The Roberts Court," Marcia Coyle of the National Law Journal and regular NewsHour contributor takes a look at the landmark decisions that have reached the Supreme Court during the tenure of Chief Justice John Roberts. She talks to Jeffrey Brown about her observations and interviews with the justices.

Supreme Court Rules Foreign Human Rights Cases Can't Be Tried in U.S.

April 17, 2013

Read an Excerpt From 'The Roberts Court' by Marcia Coyle

May 9, 2013

Supreme Court Hears Custody Case for Child of Native American Descent

April 16, 2013

A child custody case -- normally the purview of lower courts -- reached the Supreme Court. At question was whether a law intended to protect Native American families can override other legal jurisdictions. Ray Suarez talks with the National Law Journal's Marcia Coyle about the adoption of a toddler known as "Baby Veronica."