Our Rights, Our Future

The Impact Of Forest Grove School Dist., v. T.A.

In an important 6-3 decision written by Justice Stevens, the Supreme Court affirmed a Ninth Circuit ruling for parents of a child with disabilities enrolled in a private school, holding that the 2004 amendments Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) permitted parents to seek private school tuition reimbursement even when the child had not previously partook of public school special educational services. The court held that the relevant portion of the IDEA did not create a categorical bar to tuition reimbursement for students who have not previously received special education services through the public school system.

Sotomayor's Record Confirms Neutrality On Issues Of Discrimination

The record of Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor continues to attract attention as her confirmation hearing draws neigh. In a recent analysis of the 96 race-related cases that came before Justice Sotomayor while on the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, Tom Goldstein at SCOTUS Blog found that Sotomayor rejected claims of discrimination 78 times, disagreeing with her colleagues in only four instances. Goldstein’s analysis paints the picture of an impartial jurist who refuses to elevate claims of racial discrimination above the law.

Supreme Court Cases from May 25, 2009 to June 8, 2009

The following is a compilation of cases in which the Supreme Court granted, denied, or received a petition for cert.

Obama Nominates Sonia Sotomayor To Replace Justice Souter

President Obama has announced his intention to nominate Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court, filling a seat soon to be vacated by Justice David Souter. If confirmed, Sotomayor will be the third woman, and the first ever Latina Supreme Court Justice. Described by many as a sharp legal mind with a clear commitment to the rule of law, Judge Sotomayor is widely considered a strong candidate for the seat. In a recent development, the GOP has suggested that they will not try to filibuster Sonia Sotomayor's Supreme Court nomination. However Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL), the top Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, made it clear that Republicans are ready to raise questions, "We have an absolute constitutional duty to make sure that any nominee, no matter what their background and what kind of life story they have... will be faithful to the law and not allow their personal views to influence decision-making."

Supreme Court Cases from May 11, 2009 to May 25, 2009

The following is a compilation of cases in which the Supreme Court granted, denied, or received a petition for cert.