U.S. Supreme Court Case Commentaries

Border Officers Need Not Have “Clear and Convincing” Proof to Treat Returning LPRs as Applicants for Admission Based on “Committed” CIMT

Date: Jun 24, 2026

Border Officers Need Not Have “Clear and Convincing” Proof to Treat Returning LPRs as Applicants for Admission Based on “Committed” CIMT 1. Introduction Blanche, Acting Attorney General v. Lau (U.S....

Helms-Burton Abrogates FSIA Immunity for Cuban Instrumentalities Without Requiring an FSIA Exception

Date: Jun 24, 2026

Helms-Burton Abrogates FSIA Immunity for Cuban Instrumentalities Without Requiring an FSIA Exception Introduction Exxon Mobil Corp. v. Corporación Cimex, S. A. (Cuba) (609 U.S. ___ (2026)) arises...

Landor v. Louisiana Dept of Corrections and Public Safety — Spending Clause Consent Limits Personal-Capacity Liability

Date: Jun 24, 2026

New Rule: Spending Clause Statutes Cannot Impose Personal-Capacity Damages Liability on Nonconsenting State Employees I. Introduction Landor v. Louisiana Department of Corrections and Public Safety...

When the State Agrees an Atkins Claim Merits Review: Dissenting Call to Vacate Summary Dismissals of Subsequent Habeas Applications

Date: Jun 24, 2026

When the State Agrees an Atkins Claim Merits Review: Dissenting Call to Vacate Summary Dismissals of Subsequent Habeas Applications Case: Saldaño v. Texas (No. 25-5749) Court: Supreme Court of the...

McCarthy v. Hernandez (2026): Seibert Does Not Clearly Establish a Right to Jury Instructions on Attenuation Under AEDPA

Date: Jun 23, 2026

Seibert Does Not Clearly Establish a Right to Jury Instructions on Attenuation of Post‑Miranda Confessions (AEDPA §2254(d)(1)) I. Introduction McCarthy v. Hernandez, 608 U. S. ____ (2026) (per...

Hunter v. United States: The “Miscarriage of Justice” Limit on Enforcing Sentencing Appeal Waivers

Date: Jun 23, 2026

Hunter v. United States: The “Miscarriage of Justice” Limit on Enforcing Sentencing Appeal Waivers Court: U.S. Supreme Court | Date: June 18, 2026 | Citation: 608 U. S. ___ (2026) 1. Introduction...

Rooker-Feldman Applies to State Judgments Even While State Appeals Remain Pending

Date: Jun 22, 2026

Rooker-Feldman Applies to State Judgments Even While State Appeals Remain Pending Case: T. M. v. University of Maryland Medical System Corporation et al. (608 U. S. ___ (2026)) Court: U.S. Supreme...

Rooker-Feldman Applies to Appealable State Judgments: Federal District Courts Lack Jurisdiction Even While State Appeals Are Pending

Date: Jun 22, 2026

Rooker-Feldman Applies to Appealable State Judgments: Federal District Courts Lack Jurisdiction Even While State Appeals Are Pending Case: T. M. v. University of Md. Medical System Corporation (U.S....

United States v. Hemani (2026): The Second Amendment Forbids Automatic Disarmament of “Unlawful Users” Absent a Historically Rooted, Processed, Danger-Based Analogue

Date: Jun 22, 2026

United States v. Hemani (2026): The Second Amendment Forbids Automatic Disarmament of “Unlawful Users” Absent a Historically Rooted, Processed, Danger-Based Analogue Court: U.S. Supreme Court Date:...

Hunter v. United States (2026): Appeal-Waiver Enforcement Is Barred When It Would Cause a “Miscarriage of Justice”

Date: Jun 22, 2026

Appeal-Waiver “Miscarriage of Justice” Safety Valve Case: Hunter v. United States, 608 U. S. ___ (2026) (Decided June 18, 2026) Court: U.S. Supreme Court | Disposition: Vacated and remanded New rule...

§1519 Venue Is Limited to the District of Falsification, Not the District of the Investigation

Date: Jun 18, 2026

§1519 Venue Is Limited to the District of Falsification, Not the District of the Investigation Introduction Abouammo v. United States (U.S. Supreme Court, June 11, 2026) resolves a recurring federal...

Judicial Estoppel in Bankruptcy Nondisclosure Requires a Totality-of-the-Circumstances “Inadvertence or Mistake” Inquiry

Date: Jun 13, 2026

Judicial Estoppel in Bankruptcy Nondisclosure Requires a Totality-of-the-Circumstances “Inadvertence or Mistake” Inquiry Keathley v. Buddy Ayers Construction, Inc., 608 U.S. ___ (2026) (Decided June...

§1519 Venue Is Limited to the District of Falsification (Mens Rea and “Contemplated Effects” Do Not Expand Venue)

Date: Jun 13, 2026

§1519 Venue Is Limited to the District of Falsification (Mens Rea and “Contemplated Effects” Do Not Expand Venue) 1. Introduction Abouammo v. United States (608 U. S. ___ (2026)) addresses where a...

ICA §47(b) Does Not Imply a Private Right to Sue for Rescission

Date: Jun 12, 2026

FS Credit Opportunities Corp. v. Saba Capital Master Fund, Ltd.: ICA §47(b) Does Not Imply a Private Right to Sue for Rescission 1. Introduction Case: FS Credit Opportunities Corp. et al. v. Saba...

Strickland Prejudice for Batson-Related Ineffective Assistance Should Not Require Proof of a Different Trial Verdict

Date: Jun 12, 2026

Strickland Prejudice for Batson-Related Ineffective Assistance Should Not Require Proof of a Different Trial Verdict Introduction Clark v. Mississippi (No. 25-6846) reached the U.S. Supreme Court on...

FCC §503(b)(4) Forfeiture Orders Do Not Trigger a Seventh Amendment Jury Right Until §504 De Novo Enforcement

Date: Jun 6, 2026

FCC §503(b)(4) Forfeiture Orders Do Not Trigger a Seventh Amendment Jury Right Until §504 De Novo Enforcement Introduction FCC v. AT&T, Inc. (consolidated with Verizon Communications, Inc. v. Federal...

SEC Disgorgement Requires No Proof of Investor Pecuniary Loss: “Victim” Status Turns on Invasion of Legally Protected Interests

Date: Jun 6, 2026

SEC Disgorgement Requires No Proof of Investor Pecuniary Loss: “Victim” Status Turns on Invasion of Legally Protected Interests Case: Sripetch v. Securities and Exchange Commission, 608 U. S. ___...

Hikma v. Amarin: Pleading “Active Steps” for §271(b) Inducement—Affirmative Encouragement, Not Possible Reader Inferences

Date: Jun 6, 2026

Hikma v. Amarin: Pleading “Active Steps” for §271(b) Inducement—Affirmative Encouragement, Not Possible Reader Inferences 1. Introduction Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. v. Amarin Pharma, Inc. (608 U....

Allen v. Milligan (2026): Callais “Just as Well” Alternative-Map Requirement and Party-Controlled Racial-Bloc Proof Drive Emergency Stays

Date: Jun 4, 2026

Allen v. Milligan (2026): Callais “Just as Well” Alternative-Map Requirement and Party-Controlled Racial-Bloc Proof Drive Emergency Stays 1) Introduction Allen v. Milligan (per curiam) arises from...

Whitton v. Dixon (2026): Habeas Prejudice Under Giglio/Brecht Must Be Assessed on the Trial Record—Post‑Trial Evidence Cannot Be Used to Deny Relief

Date: Jun 3, 2026

Whitton v. Dixon (2026): Habeas Prejudice Under Giglio/Brecht Must Be Assessed on the Trial Record—Post‑Trial Evidence Cannot Be Used to Deny Relief I. Introduction In Whitton v. Dixon, the U.S....