Federal Judiciary

Today’s Opinions | 3.31.09

By Akin Gump Supreme Court Practice Group

The Court has released three opinions today.

The Court has released the opinion in Hawaii, et al. v. Office of Hawaiian Affairs, et al. (07-1372), on the state’s authority sell state lands. The decision below, which held for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, is reversed and remanded in a unanimous opinion by Justice Alito, available here.

The Court has released the opinion in Rivera v. Illinois (07-9995), on the weight on a conviction of an erroneous juror seating.  The decision below, which held for the state, is affirmed in a unanimous opinion by Justice Ginsburg, available here.

The Court has released the opinion in Philip Morris USA, Inc. v. Williams (07-1216),  on tobacco punitive damages. In a per curiam opinion, available here,  the writ of certiorari is dismissed as improvidently granted.

Full post as published by SCOTUSBLOG on March 31, 2009 (boomark / email).