David L. Riley v. California, USSC 13-132 Question presented: Whether evidence admitted at petitioner’s trial was obtained in a search of petitioner’s cell phone that violated petitioner’s Fourth Amendment rights. Lower court opinion: People v. Riley, No. D059840 (Cal. App. 4th Dist., Feb. 8, 2013) (unpublished) Docket Scotusblog page United States v. Brima Wurie, USSC… Read more
44. SCOTUS
Question Presented: Whether the government must prove that the defendant intended to defraud a bank and expose it to risk of loss in every prosecution under 18 U.S.C. § 1344. Lower court decision: United States v. Loughrin, 710 F.3d 1111 (10th Cir. 2013) Docket Scotusblog page Are you defending someone charged with federal bank fraud… Read more
Kansas v. Cheever, USSC No. 12-609, 12/11/13 United States Supreme Court decision, reversing Kansas v. Cheever, 284 P.3d 1007 (Kan. 2012). The Supreme Court unanimously holds that “where a defense expert who has examined the defendant testifies that the defendant lacked the requisite mental state to commit a crime, the prosecution may offer evidence from a… Read more
Burt v. Titlow, USSC No. 12-414, 11/5/13 United States Supreme Court decision, reversing Titlow v. Burt, 680 F.3d 577 (6th Cir. 2012) When a state prisoner asks a federal court to set aside a sentence due to ineffective assistance of counsel during plea bargaining, our cases require that the federal court use a “‘doubly deferential’” standard of review… Read more
Legal history buffs and women’s history enthusiasts might enjoy Cornell Alumni Magazine’s new interview of SCOTUS Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. To read it, click here… Read more
Question presented: Whether the Florida scheme for identifying mentally retarded defendants in capital cases violates Atkins v. Virginia. Lower court opinion: Hall v. State, 109 So.3d 704 (Fla. 2012) Docket Scotusblog page Atkins v. Virginia, 536 U.S. 304 (2002), held that it is unconstitutional under the Eighth Amendment to execute a person who is found… Read more
Question presented: Whether a defendant-who has fraudulently obtained a loan and thus owes restitution for the loan under 18 U.S.C. § 3663A(b)(1)(B) returns “any part” of the loan money by giving the lenders the collateral that secures the money? Lower court opinion: United States v. Robers, 698 F.3d 937 (7th Cir. 2012) Docket Scotusblog page In… Read more
Questions presented: 1. Is a gun buyer’s intent to sell a firearm to another lawful buyer in the future a fact “material to the lawfulness of the sale” of the firearm under 18 U.S.C. § 922(a)(6)? 2. Is a gun buyer’s intent to sell a firearm to another lawful buyer in the future a piece… Read more
