Justices clear the way for Louisiana wetlands trial against oil companies to go forward

Justices clear the way for Louisiana wetlands trial against oil companies to go forward

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The Supreme Court on Tuesday morning declined to put a Louisiana trial seeking compensation for the “existential threat” posed by coastal land loss on hold while the defendants in the case, a group of oil companies, seek review of a state court decision rejecting their request to transfer the case. The oil companies had argued that they cannot get a fair trial in the court where they are being sued because any awards against them will go to the … Read the rest

Jackson dissents in denial of Louisiana man’s death-row evidence plea

Jackson dissents in denial of Louisiana man’s death-row evidence plea

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Over a dissent from the court’s three liberal justices, the Supreme Court turned down a request from a Louisiana man on death-row to weigh in on when someone else’s confession is the kind of evidence that the Constitution requires prosecutors to turn over. The court’s denial of review in Brown v. Louisiana came at the end of a list of orders from the justices’ private conference last week.

The justices did not add any new cases to their docket … Read the rest

Louisiana inmate returns to the court after 18-year delay in resentencing

Louisiana inmate returns to the court after 18-year delay in resentencing

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The Petitions of the Week column highlights a selection of cert petitions recently filed in the Supreme Court. A list of all petitions we’re watching is available here.

Anyone charged with a crime has the right to a “speedy … trial” under the Sixth Amendment. If convicted, do they also have the right to a speedy sentence? The court held four years ago in Betterman v. Montana that the Constitution bars excessive sentencing delays, but under the due … Read the rest