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Samuel Alito

Jan 15, 2013

US Supreme Court takes up sentencing factors case

In a case that raises the question of whether judges, rather than juries, can constitutionally decide factors that could trigger an increase in the minimum sentence, the justices of the U.S. Supreme Court seemed reluctant to shake up a sentencing scheme that Congress and the courts have relied upon for more than a decade.

Jan 9, 2013

Medicaid Act may trump state reimbursement law

The justices of the U.S. Supreme Court seemed divided over whether the federal Medicaid Act preempts a North Carolina law authorizing the state to recoup as much as one third of any medical malpractice jury award or settlement, regardless of how much of the award was designated for medical expenses.

Nov 29, 2012

Justices of US Supreme Court consider what law governs plain error appeals

The justices of the U.S. Supreme Court tussled on Wednesday over the issue of whether a plain error sentencing appeal must be decided according to the law in effect at the time of sentencing or at the time of appeal.

Nov 1, 2012

US Supreme Court puts drug dogs’ noses to the test

Oral arguments in two Fourth Amendment cases before the U.S. Supreme Court Wednesday focused on a common question: just what does a dog’s nose know?

Oct 1, 2012

US high court begins new term with human rights case

The Supreme Court opened its new term Monday with a high-stakes dispute between businesses and human rights groups over accountability for foreign atrocities.

Aug 14, 2012

Million-dollar judicial getaway irks US senators

Despite facing criticism from GOP lawmakers, a pricey Hawaiian judicial conference attended by lawyers, judges and two Supreme Court justices took place last weekend.

Jun 21, 2012

US high court: Unions must give fee increase notice

The Supreme Court ruled Thursday that unions must give nonmembers an immediate chance to object to unexpected fee increases or special assessments that all workers are required to pay in closed-shop situations.

Jun 21, 2012

Court: Use new drug sentencing law in crack cases (UPDATE)

The Supreme Court ruled Thursday that people who committed crack cocaine crimes before more lenient penalties took effect and received their prison sentence afterward should benefit from the new rules.

Jun 20, 2012

US Supreme Court fractures on expert testimony issue

The Confrontation Clause does not bar an expert from testifying at a criminal trial that a DNA profile produced by an outside laboratory matched the defendant’s state lab DNA profile, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled in a fractured opinion.

Jun 18, 2012

US Supreme Court says no OT pay for drug sales reps

The Supreme Court has ruled that sales representatives for pharmaceutical companies do not qualify for overtime pay under federal law, a big victory for the drug industry.

Jun 18, 2012

US high court sides with state in DNA case

The Supreme Court on Monday upheld a rape conviction over objections that the defendant did not have the chance to question the reliability of the DNA evidence that helped convict him.

Jun 12, 2012

US Justices: Federal workers’ constitutional claims barred

The Merit Systems Protection Board provides the exclusive avenue of judicial review for federal employees’ adverse employment action challenges, even when those employees argue that a federal statute is unconstitutional, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled.

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