Chaotic Last Decisions Delivered

By Lottie Watts

The Supreme Court delivered its final decisions on Thursday in the cases of Medellin v. Texas and Boumediene v. Bush. Justice Ginsberg delivered the decision in Medellin and Justice Kennedy attempted to explain the chaos surrounding Boumediene, which was essentially a victory for the Bush Administration.

Medellin v. Texas was a 6-3 victory for the petitioner. In the opinion, “the court refutes the notion that the President has the authority to order the state courts to follow the ICJ’s Avena ruling.” Justices Kennedy, Stevens, Thomas, Souter and Scalia joined Ginsberg in the opinion. Justice Roberts dissented and Justice Alito joined the dissent. Justice Souter joined the dissent in part.

Medellin v. Texas decision released

Today was the final day of the current Supreme Court term and Justice Ginsburg read the decision from the bench in Medellin v. Texas.  It was a 6-3 decision with Justice Roberts writing the dissenting opinion and Justices Alito and Sutter joining him.

Justice Ginsburg’s decision can be downloaded here

Third Case Heard by Supreme Court

By Lottie Watts

The Supreme Court heard arguments Thursday in Medellin v. Texas.   It was the second to last case that the court will hear before the term ends and decisions are handed down.

The case concerns the constitutionality of President Bush’s order to Texas courts to grant relief in a death penalty case involving the Vienna Convention on Consular relations.

The justices asked many questions of both the petitioner and the respondent.

Audio Released in Medellin v.Texas

SUNN has posted the audio of the oral arguments in the case of Medellin v.Texas.  This audio will be analyzed in detail on the upcoming episode of The 316 with Zack Glick and Ben Youngerman.

The audio can be found here.

Mexican government weights in on Medellin v. Texas

The Mexican government has filed an amicus brief with the court in the case of Medellin v. Texas.  The Mexican Government’s concern in this case has to do with the international treaties signed between the United States and Mexico. 

The full text can be downloaded here.

Solicitor General submits an amicus brief in the case of Medellin v. Texas

After today’s announcement we know that the Solicitor General’s office will be participating in the oral arguments in the case of Medellin v. Texas, but they have also filed an amicus brief on behalf of the petitioner.  Oral arguments are going to be held in this case next Thursday. 

The full text can be downloaded here

The Solicitor General will argue directly in Medellin v. Texas

The Solicitor Generals office has announced that they will be participating directly in the case of Medellin v. Texas.  The Office announced that they will be sharing five minuets of the Respondents time before the Supreme Court.  This week The 316 will have both sides in the case on the show for a pre oral arguments special.

Respondents reply in Medellin v. Texas

The Respondent in Medellin v. Texas has filed their reply brief on the merits with the court.  This is the next case that is going to be heard by the supreme Court in its current term.

The full text can be downloaded here.

Breif on the merits submittted in Medellin v. Texas

Scott Covit the Counsel of Record in the case of Medellin v. Texas has submitted his brief on the merits to the court.  This case is scheduled be heard on November, 8^th stay tuned to SUNN for al of the coverage of this and every case on the Supreme Court’s docket.

The full text can be found here.

Tentative Calendar set for Oral Arguments

An approximate calendar for oral arguments in the  Supreme Court’s have been released for the current docket.

• October 25th Crawford v. Marion County Election Board
• November 1st Planned Parenthood v. Rounds
• November 8th Medellin v. Texas
• November either the 13th or 15th Boumediene v. Bush