The Supreme Court heard two cases Tuesday that would determine whether life sentences for two teenagers qualified as cruel and unusual under the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments of the Constitution.

By Tim Young The Supreme Court heard Southern Union Company v. United States today in a case that would determine whether a jury can increase a financial penalty on a corporation after it has been convicted of a crime. Southern Union Company was convicted of violating federal environmental regulations in…

By Tim Young The Supreme Court heard the case of Astrue v. Capato today in order to determine if a child conceived after the death of one of its parents is entitled to benefits under the Social Security Act. Robert Capato, who knew he was dying of terminal illness, froze…

By Tim Young The Supreme Court heard arguments today in the case of Armour v. City of Indianapolis, which dealt with a tax assessment’s potential violation of the Equal Protection Clause. The State of Indiana allows municipalities to levy special assessments to their property owners.  In 2004, the city of…

The Supreme Court is set to hear a case that could give corporations the power to commit genocide with no consequences.

By Tim Young Can corporations could be held accountable for human rights violations? The Supreme Court heard the cases of Kiobel v. Royal Dutch Petroleum and Mohamad v. Palestinian Authority today to determine just that. The cases, which dealt with the Alien Tort Statute and the Torture Victim Protection Act…

By Tim Young Arguments from Wood v. Milyard were heard by the Supreme Court earlier today in order to determine whether a court of appeals could bring up potential decision making factors in a case when counsel fails to do so. Petitioner Patrick Wood was convicted of multiple crimes in…

By Tim Young The Supreme Court heard arguments in the Elgin V. Department of Treasury case today to determine whether The Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 prevented federal employees who were terminated from obtaining federal district court review of the statute that caused their termination. Michael Elgin, as well…

By Tim Young The Supreme Court heard Blueford v. Arkansas today, which dealt with the issue of Double Jeopardy.  Specifically, Arkansas man Alex Blueford was charged with multiple levels of the crime of murder and manslaughter.  He was seemingly acquitted of the higher charges, but not the lesser, leading to…

By Tim Young The Supreme Court heard the case of United States v. Alvarez today, which will decide whether or not the Stolen Valor Act, a law that prohibits Americans from lying about awards received during military service, violates the First Amendment of the Constitution. In 2007, Xavier Alvarez ran…