Posted on 10/03/2004 7:43:55 AM PDT by Mike Fieschko
[snip]Rather than the spectacular cases that have marked the court's last few terms, and those that may lie a year or two ahead, the 2004-05 term seems likely to be devoted to nuts-and-bolts issues of government and society with which the court is most familiar: crime and punishment; federal versus state authority, in the context of California's medical marijuana law; economic regulation; and juveniles on death row.
[snip]
The court will also consider several challenges to government business and economic regulations. One tests the power of local governments to condemn homes and businesses to clear the way for private development that would boost the local economy ...
[snip]
QUESTIONS FACING THE SUPREME COURT
The Supreme Court begins its fall term on Monday. Here are some of the issues it will be considering:
PRISON SENTENCES: Are federal sentencing guidelines constitutional?
MEDICAL MARIJUANA: Can the government prosecute sick people who grow marijuana and use it on the advice of a doctor?
DEATH PENALTY: Is it unconstitutionally cruel to execute juvenile killers?
LAND RIGHTS: When can local governments seize people’s homes and businesses to be used for tax-producing projects like shopping malls?
IMMIGRATION: Can immigration officials deport someone to a country that has no government to accept them?
FREE SPEECH: May the government require beef producers to pay fees used to promote the industry even if they disagree with the marketing campaigns?
WINE SHIPMENTS: May states prevent consumers from buying wine by mail from out-of-state wineries?
PRISON SEGREGATION: Can state prison officials separate inmates based on the prisoners’ skin color?
POLICE SEARCHES: Can police use drug-sniffing dogs to check stopped cars whose drivers have given police no particular reason to suspect illegal activity?
GUNS: May people convicted of crimes overseas be barred from owning a gun in the United States?
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.