Nina Totenberg archive
Politics
GOP Opposition Slows Obama's Judicial Nominees
November 17, 2009 The Senate votes Tuesday on whether to end a Republican filibuster of President Obama's first judicial nominee. So far, the White House has little to show for the president's efforts to make sure candidates won't raise objections at the Senate level.
Law
Supreme Court Weighs Life Sentences For Juveniles

November 9, 2009 The high court on Monday reviewed two cases testing whether it is unconstitutionally cruel and unusual punishment to sentence a juvenile to life in prison without parole — for a crime that does not involve a death. The justices seemed divided and uncertain on the question of redemption versus retribution.
Law
High Court Weighs Life Terms For Minors

November 9, 2009 Is it unconstitutionally cruel and unusual punishment to send a juvenile away to prison for life, without the possibility of parole, for a non-homicide crime? The Supreme Court on Monday will examine two cases, including that of Joe Sullivan, who was convicted of rape when he was 13 years old.
Law
High Court Weighs Prosecutors' Immunity
November 4, 2009 Terry Harrington served 25 years for murder, but he later discovered that prosecutors handling his case worked with the police to withhold evidence that might have freed him. Harrington wants to sue those prosecutors, but must convince the court that the protections prosecutors have from such suits are unconstitutional.
Law
Can Prosecutors Be Sued By People They Framed?

November 4, 2009 The Supreme Court on Wednesday hears arguments on whether prosecutors should have immunity from lawsuits, even when they frame people for murder. The case involves two men who served 25 years in prison for a murder they did not commit. They say prosecutors coerced witnesses to lie and withheld evidence that pointed to another suspect.
Law
Supreme Court Considers Mutual Fund Fees
November 2, 2009 The Supreme Court hears arguments Monday in a case testing whether some mutual funds are charging excessive fees. Some 90 million Americans invest in retail mutual funds. While the fees charged by these funds may sound small percentage-wise, they add up to big money.
Law
Supreme Court To Hear New Guantanamo Case

October 20, 2009 The court said Tuesday it will hear a case involving Chinese Muslims, or Uighurs, to consider the status of Guantanamo prisoners who remain in custody even after the Pentagon decides they're not a threat to the United States.
Law
Ginsburg Released From Hospital After Drug Reaction

October 15, 2009 Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was released Thursday after being hospitalized briefly following a reaction to medication. It was the second time Ginsburg has been hospitalized in the past month.
Law
High Court Weighs Legality Of Memorial Cross

October 7, 2009 The Supreme Court hears a case on the display of a World War I memorial cross as a national memorial. Critics say the cross violates the ban on government-established religion. In 1999, a Buddhist sought permission to erect a shrine near the cross. The National Park Service said no.
Law
Dogfighting Case Gets Its Day In Court

October 6, 2009 The Supreme Court hears a major free speech case on Tuesday that asks whether the government can make it a crime to sell or possess any depiction of animal cruelty. The case is about dogfighting videos, but critics argue that it violates the First Amendment.
