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Firearms Owners Against Crime v. Commissioner of Pennsylvania State Police
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court will hear an appeal over whether alleged delays by the state in conducting background checks for gun purchases violates plaintiffs' constitutional due process rights. An appeals court dismissed the lawsuit.
'She Said I Was Irredeemable:' A Second Chance for Youth Sentenced to Life
A handful of state supreme courts have announced broader sentencing protections for young people than available under the federal Constitution.
I.S. v. State
Held that a statute requiring prosecutor's written approval as a prerequisite to dismissal and referral to informal supervision if juvenile was charged with offense that, if committed by adult, would constitute felony or gross misdemeanor, did not violate separation of powers
Alliance Housing Incorporated v. County of Hennepin
Held that for the purposes of qualifying for tax exemption, an institution of purely public charity with a purpose of providing housing for low-income individuals uses its real property in furtherance of its charitable purpose when it leases its property to its intended beneficiaries for personal residence
Planned Parenthood of Michigan v. Attorney General of the State of Michigan
Trial court permanently enjoined enforcement of a 1931 Michigan law criminalizing all abortions except those performed to save the mother's life, holding that the law violates abortion patients' fundamental right to bodily integrity under the state due process clause, as well as state equal protection.
State Court Oral Arguments to Watch for in December
Issues on the dockets include school funding, protection of children in foster care, and the death penalty.
Bienvenu v. Defendant 1
Held that statute, which retroactively revived certain prescribed child sex abuse claims for limited three-year period, conflicted with state constitutional substantive due process protection against disturbing vested rights
State v. Gibbons
Ruled that a statute imposing a mandatory minimum $5,000 fine without regard to a criminal defendant's ability to pay was facially unconstitutional in violation of Montana's proportionality requirement and the Excessive Fines and Fees Clause
Office of the State of Public Defender v. Bonta
Plaintiffs, a group of civil right and legal organizations, challenge the legality of the California death penalty statute, claiming it is racially discriminatory and violates the state constitution.
City of Dallas v. Employees Retirement Fund of City of Dallas
Held that a city cannot delegate to a third party the perpetual right to veto changes in a city ordinance under art. 11 section 5 of the Texas Constitution
