2006 - 2007 Supreme Court Cases
The Supreme Court concludes its 2006-2007 session this summer. Below are summaries of some of the most significant cases, links to court documents and Washington Post stories explaining the issues at play.
Abortion
In a 5 to 4 decision, the court upheld the federal Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act. For the first time, it approved an abortion restriction lacking an exception for the woman's health, agreeing that a specific abortion procedure could be banned.
Gonzales v. Carhart (05-380)
Gonzales v. Planned Parenthood (05-1382)
5 to 4 majority opinion by Kennedy, joined by Roberts, Scalia, Thomas and Alito. Dissent: Ginsburg, Stevens, Souter, Breyer.
- Oral arguments, Carhart, Planned Parenthood 11/08/06
- Decision 4/18/07
Post Coverage:
Banking
The court ruled 5 to 3 in Watters v. Wachovia (05-1342) that states may not regulate the mortgage-lending subsidiaries of national banks.
- Oral arguments 11/29/06
- Decision 4/17/07
5 to 3 majority opinion by Ginsburg, joined by Kennedy, Souter, Breyer, Alito. Dissent: Stevens, Roberts, Scalia. Recused: Thomas.
Post Coverage:
Campaign Finance
The court is considering whether a portion of the McCain-Feingold campaign finance law, attempting to curb the influence of unions, corporations and special interest groups in the weeks preceding a federal election, is too broad.
FEC v. Wisconsin Right to Life (06-969)
McCain v. Wisconsin Right to Life (06-970)
- Oral arguments 4/25/07
- Decision pending
Post Coverage:
Criminal Justice
The court ruled 8 to 1 in Scott v. Harris (05-1631) that a police officer may use potentially deadly force to end a high-speed chase of a suspect whose actions endanger the public.
- Oral arguments 2/26/07
- Decision 4/30/07 (Video)
8 to 1 majority opinion by Scalia, joined by Roberts, Scalia, Kennedy, Souter, Thomas, Ginsburg, Breyer, Alito. Dissent: Stevens.
Post Coverage:
Free Speech
In Morse v. Frederick (06-278), the court is considering whether an Alaskan high school principal's decision to seize a student's banner proclaiming "Bong Hits 4 Jesus" at a parade -- and to later suspend him -- was a violation of his constitutional right to free speech.
- Oral arguments 3/19/07
- Decision pending
Post Coverage:
Global Warming
The court ruled 5 to 4 in Massachusetts v. EPA (05-1120) that the agency acted improperly when it declined to regulate new-vehicle emission standards to control pollutants that scientists say contribute to global warming.
- Oral arguments 11/29/06
- Decision 4/02/07
5 to 4 majority opinion by Kennedy, joined by Stevens, Souter, Ginsburg, Breyer. Dissent: Roberts, Scalia, Thomas, Alito.
Post Coverage:
Patent Law: The court heard several cases concerning patent law this term. The decision with the most lasting impact is KSR International v. Teleflex, with the unanimous court weakening protections given to patent holders.
KSR International v. Teleflex (04-1350)
Unanimous, majority opinion by Kennedy.
- Oral arguments 11/28/06
- Decision 4/30/07
Post Coverage:
MedImmune v. Genentech (05-608)
8 to 1 majority opinion by Scalia, joined by Roberts, Stevens, Kennedy, Souter, Ginsburg, Breyer, Alito. Dissent: Thomas.
- Oral arguments 10/04/06
Decision 1/09/07
Post Coverage:
Microsoft v. ATT (05-1056)
7 to 1 majority opinion by Ginsburg, joined by Scalia, Kennedy, Souter, Thomas, Ginsburg, Breyer, Alito. Dissent: Stevens. Recused: Roberts.
- Oral arguments 2/21/07
- Decision 4/30/07
Post Coverage:
Punitive Damages
In Philip Morris USA v Williams (05-1256), the court overturned a nearly $80 million verdict intended to punish the tobacco company and set limits on how jurors can make big business pay for wrongdoing.
5 to 4 majority opinion by Breyer, joined by Roberts, Kennedy, Souter, Alito. Dissent: Stevens, Thomas, Ginsburg, Scalia.
- Oral arguments 10/31/06
- Decision 2/20/07
Post/Slate.com Coverage:
Religion
In Hein v. Freedom From Religion (06-157), the court is considering whether a group of taxpayers has the right to sue the Bush administration's embrace of faith-based organizations.
- Oral arguments 2/28/07
- Decision pending
Post Coverage:
School Desegregation
The court is considering whether it is constitutional for public school boards to consider race in making school assignments in an effort to promote diversity.
- Parents Involved v. Seattle School District No. 1 (05-908)
- Meredith v. Jefferson County Board of Education (05-915)
- Oral arguments 12/04/06, Parents Involved, Meredith
- Decision pending
Post Coverage:
The Washington Post
