Thanks for the info. I have a question. How long after the oral arguments are the decisions made? I know they are anounced in the spring, but how long after oral arguments are the votes cast?? It would be nice if the new justice (Alito) would be given the transcript of the oral argument, then votes. Is there a rule, that the justice who hears the oral argument must be the one who casts their vote (and not the incommng judge)?
The timing varies, mostly depending on the urgency of the case. For example, the 2000 Presidential election cases were decided in periods measured in days. Not all decisions are handed down "in the spring."
It would be nice if the new justice (Alito) would be given the transcript of the oral argument, then votes. Is there a rule, that the justice who hears the oral argument must be the one who casts their vote (and not the incommng judge)?
I don't think there is a rule, but a judge who does not aprticipate in oral argument does not participate in the decision. If the decision is tied, the Court may decide, on its own, to conduct a rehearing.
RS22300 - The Retirement of Justice O'Connor:
Quorum Requirements, Rehearings and Vote Counts in the Supreme Court. http://www.opencrs.com/getfile.php?rid=43305
Past cases - dates of argument, dates of decision ...
http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/index.html
Case previews for this term ...
http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/cert/