Supreme Court Watch

Feb. 22, 2012

Supreme Court Hears Free Speech Case Over Stolen Valor Act

What Role Should FCC Play in Policing Profanity on the Airwaves?
Jan. 10, 2012
The Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday in a case involving freedom of speech on broadcast television and the constitutional debate over federal regulation of indecency. Jeffrey Brown discusses the arguments and the potential effects for the FCC with Marcia Coyle of The National Law Journal.
Supreme Court Hears Arguments on Texas Redistricting, Environmental Rules
Jan. 9, 2012
The Supreme Court heard arguments Monday involving a redistricting dispute in Texas. Jeffrey Brown discusses the case's broad implications for the future political landscape of the state -- and potentially the entire nation -- with The National Law Journal's Marcia Coyle.
Are Super PACs Living Up to Supreme Court's Intentions?
Jan. 5, 2012
In Iowa, Super PACs pumped millions of dollars into last-minute negative television ads. What influence will they have in the rest of the GOP primary season and beyond? Judy Woodruff discusses the myriad of super PACs with the Sunlight Foundation's Bill Allison and CQ Roll Call's Eliza Newlin Carney.
Supreme Court Lines up Potentially 'Explosive' Election Year Docket
Dec. 13, 2011
Supreme Court justices agreed Monday to take up a tough immigration law from Arizona that would, among other things, punish illegal immigrants who apply for work in the state. Gwen Ifill discuses this and other controversial cases with the National Law Journal's Marcia Coyle and author Jeff Shesol.
Supreme Court Hears Dispute Over Ownership of Montana's Rivers
Dec. 7, 2011
Montana's rivers are pristine and iconic, but they are also at the center of a property rights dispute that wound up before the Supreme Court on Wednesday. Gwen Ifill discusses the details of the dispute with Marcia Coyle of The National Law Journal.
Health Reform Law to Face Constitutional Test in Supreme Court
Nov. 14, 2011
On Monday, the Supreme Court agreed to hear arguments next spring on the constitutionality of the health care reform law. Jeffrey Brown discusses the political and legal implications with The National Law Journal's Marcia Coyle and NPR's Julie Rovner.
Supreme Court Agrees to Hear Health Reform Challenge
Nov. 14, 2011
The Supreme Court announced Monday that it will review the constitutionality of the health reform law.
5 Big Questions Before Supreme Court on Health Reform Law
Nov. 10, 2011
The Supreme Court now has six petitions asking the justices to review and answer important constitutional questions about the Obama administration's signature social policy success -- the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
Supreme Court Hears Landmark GPS Tracking Case
Nov. 8, 2011
Can the government track a suspect using a GPS device without a warrant? That question was at the center of a high-profile case before the Supreme Court on Tuesday. Judy Woodruff discusses the oral arguments in the case with the National Law Journal's Marcia Coyle.
Supreme Court Weighs Constitutionality of Routine Jailhouse Strip Searches
Oct. 12, 2011
Do routine jailhouse strip searches for people accused of minor offenses violate the Constitution? Supreme Court justices heard a case Wednesday centering on that issue. Judy Woodruff discusses the case, which pits privacy rights against security concerns, with The National Law Journal's Marcia Coyle.
Supreme Court Considers Case on Discrimination in Religious Schools
Oct. 5, 2011
Judy Woodruff discusses a Supreme Court case that considers the founding principle of the separation of church and state with the National Law Journal's Marcia Coyle.
Immigration, Affirmative Action on New High Court Docket; Health Reform Awaited
Oct. 3, 2011
The U.S. Supreme Court returned to work Monday and the court has a docket full of controversial cases on topics ranging from obscenity to strip searches to warrantless surveillance. Gwen Ifill previews the new term with The National Law Journal's Marcia Coyle and Scotusblog.com's Tom Goldstein.
Supreme Court Case Preview: TV Indecency, GPS and 'Peter and the Wolf'
Oct. 3, 2011
The most closely watched case in the new term of the U.S. Supreme Court is not on the argument docket yet, but likely will be soon: The justices are expected to take a look at the numerous legal questions surrounding the federal health care reform act. But the new term is by no means a snooze -- even without it.
White House Asks the Supreme Court to Consider Health Reform
Sept. 28, 2011
The Obama administration asked the Supreme Court Wednesday to decide whether the president's landmark health care law is constitutional, saying that the Justice Department would appeal the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that the federal government cannot mandate that all Americans buy health insurance.
Roberts Court Wraps up Term, Leaving Significant Conservative Mark
June 28, 2011
The Supreme Court wrapped up its final cases Monday, completing a year of action in which its conservative majority left a significant legal mark. Gwen Ifill discusses the major decisions that came out of the Roberts court this term with The National Law Journal's Marcia Coyle and Tom Goldstein, founder of SCOTUSblog.com.
Citing Violence in Fairy Tales, Justices Strike Down Calif. Video Game Law
June 27, 2011
The Supreme Court ruled 7-2 Monday to uphold an appeals court ruling to throw out California's ban on the sale and rental of violent video games to minors. In a separate decision, the court struck down a provision of Arizona's campaign finance system. Gwen Ifill discusses the rulings with The National Law Journal's Marcia Coyle.
Supreme Court: Calif. Can't Ban Sale of Violent Games to Minors
June 27, 2011
In a 7-2 decision Monday, the Supreme Court ruled that California's ban the sale of violent video games to minors was unconstitutional.
Ruling on Wal-Mart Gender Bias May Reshape Class-Action Claims
June 20, 2011
A landmark Supreme Court ruling Monday rejected a class-action gender bias lawsuit against retail giant Wal-Mart. Jeffrey Brown talks to two legal experts about the wider impact on class-action claims.
Justices Rule on Wal-Mart Discrimination, Global Warming Lawsuits
June 20, 2011
In two major decisions Monday, the Supreme Court threw out the largest class-action lawsuit in history and rejected a global warming lawsuit against power compannies. Gwen Ifill discusses the rulings with The National Law Journal's Marcia Coyle.
Supreme Court Blocks Class-Action Gender Bias Suit Against Wal-Mart
June 20, 2011
The Supreme Court has ruled to block a massive sex discrimination lawsuit against Wal-Mart stores.
Supreme Court Rules 5-4 That Age Matters in Miranda Warnings
June 16, 2011
The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that juveniles suspected of a crime are entitled to Miranda protections when questioned by police at school. Ray Suarez discusses the ruling's significance with Marcia Coyle of The National Law Journal.
Stevens: 'I Was Never a Fan of Labels for Justices'
June 13, 2011
It's been nearly a year since Justice John Paul Stevens left the bench after the third-longest tenure on the Supreme Court. Stevens sat down with Gwen Ifill to discuss his career, his leadership of the Court's liberal wing, why he doesn't like such labels and how his tennis game is now that he's retired.
Supreme Court Upholds Arizona Law Punishing Employers of Illegal Workers
May 26, 2011
In a split decision Thursday, the Supreme Court ruled federal law does not preempt an Arizona measure that punishes employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants. Jeffrey Brown discusses the measure, which could strip businesses of licenses if they're caught hiring illegal workers, with The National Law Journal's Marcia Coyle.
Supreme Court Upholds Ariz. Law on Employing Illegal Immigrants
May 26, 2011
The Supreme Court has upheld a 2007 Arizona law that targets business that hire illegal immigrants in a 5-3 decision.
Divided Supreme Court Orders California to Ease Prison Overcrowding
May 23, 2011
The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 Monday that the living conditions in overcrowded California prisons threatened inmates' health and violated constitutional rights against cruel and unusual punishment. Ray Suarez discusses the outcome with The National Law Journal's Marcia Coyle, who was in the courtroom.

Want to Use a GPS-Tracking Device? Get a Warrant, Supreme Court Tells Police

Jan. 23, 2012

The Supreme Court ruled unanimously Monday that police violated the Constitution by attaching a GPS-tracking device to a car owned by a Washington, D.C., club owner, eventually leading to a cocaine-trafficking conviction. Jeffrey Brown discusses their reasoning and the implications with The National Law Journal's Marcia Coyle.

Supreme Court Ruling on Texas Electoral Maps 'Huge Setback' for Democrats

Jan. 20, 2012

Marcia Coyle: Court Moves 'Carefully' to Balance Rights in GPS Ruling

Jan. 23, 2012

Supreme Court Upholds 'Ministerial Exception' From Anti-Bias Laws

Jan. 11, 2012

The Supreme Court ruled unanimously Wednesday that the Constitution provides ministers an exemption to anti-discrimination laws. Margaret Warner discusses the implications of the court's recognition of a "ministerial exception" with The National Law Journal's Marcia Coyle.