Supreme Court Roundup
Posted at 9:10 a.m. on June 25, 2012
Check this post for the results of today’s Supreme Court opinions.
The Court has summarily overturned Montana’s strict campaign finance law limiting corporate election contribution in a 5 to 4 decision. Here is the one-page per curiam decision and the dissent from Justice Breyer.
The Court ruled 5 to 4 that mandatory rules that sentence a juvenile to life in prison without the possibility of parole violates the Eighth Amendment. Here is the opinion by Justice Kagan, with a concurring opinion by Justice Breyer, a dissenting opinion by Chief Justice Roberts, a dissenting opinion by Justice Thomas, and a dissenting opinion by Justice Alito.
The Court has invalidated most of the key provisions of SB 1070, the Arizona immigration law, saying they are preempted by federal law in a 5 to 3 ruling. This does not include one of the most controversial provisions that requires police officers to check a person’s immigration status if there is a “reasonable suspicion” that they are in the country illegally after they are stopped for a separate crime; however, the Court did not preclude overturning this provision based on racial profiling claims that were not included in this case. Here is the opinion by Justice Kennedy, with Justice Scalia concurring and dissenting in part, Justice Thomas concurring and dissenting in part, and Justice Altio concurring and dissenting in part. Justice Kagan did not take part in the case because she oversaw the federal government’s role in the case as Solicitor General.
The Court will not rule on the health care reform law today
The remaining decisions, including health care, will be announced on Thursday. Be sure to check back on Wonk Wire this week for commentary on today’s rulings and the rest of the term.
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