U.S. Supreme Court Cases

November 2, 2006

USC Law School Experts: U.S. Supreme Court Cases

As the U.S. Supreme Court begins the 2006-2007 term, the justices have several important cases to decide. Of the 38 cases on the docket, the most anticipated include cases addressing abortion, race in public schools, prison sentences, global warming, and punitive damage awards against tobacco companies.

USC Law School professors are available to discuss the following cases:


Abortion
(Gonzales v. Carhart, and Gonzales v. Planned Parenthood - to be argued Nov. 8): The court will decide if the federal Partial-Birth Abortion Act of 2003 is unconstitutional. The new cases may define the roles of Congress and the court in defining the scope of constitutional rights.
· DARIA ROITHMAYR
213-740-6228
Law professor, specializing in feminist issues
· DAVID CRUZ
213-740-6830 or 323-497-6611 (cell)
Constitutional law professor
· MICHAEL SHAPIRO
213-740-2562
Constitutional law professor


Air Pollution Regulation
(Massachusetts v. Environmental Protection Agency and Environmental Defense v. Duke Energy Corporation - to be argued Nov. 29): Two cases present interpretive issues under the Clean Air Act. The court will decide if the Clean Air Act requires to the government to regulate car emissions and power plants, both of which are blamed for global warming.

· GREGORY KEATING
213-740-2565 or 626-233-6584 (cell)
Law professor specializing in torts
· JODY ARMOUR
213-740-2559 or 323-573-0444 (cell)
Law professor specializing in torts
· DAVID CRUZ
213-740-6830 or 323-497-6611 (cell)
Constitutional law professor


RACE
(Parents Involved in Community School v. Seattle School District and Meredith v. Jefferson County Board of Education - to be argued Dec. 4): Two cases ask whether public school systems can take race into account in maintaining balance in individual schools.

· DARIA ROITHMAYR
213-740-6228
Law professor, specializing in race and the law
· KAREEM CRAYTON
213-740-2516 or 213-446-8800 (cell)
Law and politics professor
· DAVID CRUZ
213-740-6830 or 323-497-6611 (cell)
Constitutional law professor


Immigration
(Gonzales v. Duenas-Alvarez - to be argued Dec. 5): The court will decide if immigrants convicted of drug possession may be deported.

· NIELS FRENZEN
213-740-8933 or 213-842-2526 (cell)
Law professor, director of Immigration Clinic
· JEAN ROSENBLUTH
213-740-3199 or 818-406-9986 (cell)
Criminal law professor and former federal prosecutor


Prison Sentences
(Cunningham v. California - was argued on Oct. 10, 2006). The court will decide if California's sentencing system is unconstitutional. Some argue that because judges may increase a defendant's term due to "aggravating factors" the sentencing system is unconstitutional.

· JEAN ROSENBLUTH
213-740-3199 or 818-406-9986 (cell)
Criminal law professor and former federal prosecutor


Punitive Damages Limits
(Philip Morris v. Williams - was argued Oct. 31). The Court will decide an appeal of a $79.5 million award of punitive damages against the cigarette maker Philip Morris, upheld by the Oregon Supreme Court on behalf of the family of a smoker who died of lung cancer
· GREGORY KEATING
213-740-2565 or 626-233-6584 (cell)
Law professor specializing in torts
· JODY ARMOUR
213-740-2559 or 323-573-0444 (cell)
Law professor specializing in torts
· DAVID CRUZ
213-740-6830 or 323-497-6611 (cell)
Constitutional law professor