The University of Chicago’s Independent Student Newspaper since 1892

Chicago Maroon

The University of Chicago’s Independent Student Newspaper since 1892

Chicago Maroon

The University of Chicago’s Independent Student Newspaper since 1892

Chicago Maroon

Law prof assesses civil liberties rulings from Supreme Court

Professor David Strauss of the Law School reviews the past year’s civil liberties cases.
+
Johnny Hung

Gerald Ratner Distinguished Service Professor of Law David Strauss delivered the third annual State of the Supreme Court lecture Tuesday night, focusing on court decisions that have affected civil liberties over the last year.

Strauss looked to an upcoming case on the Court’s docket with U.S. v. Arizona, which will be heard in April, and will decide whether Arizona’s recently implemented immigration laws are unconstitutional due to an alleged conflict with federal laws.

“The government will have a difficult time prevailing,” Strauss predicted. “It’ll be difficult for them to explain why it is unconstitutional, beyond the fact that they don’t like it and that it interferes with their policies.”

Strauss turned to reviewing the past year, highlighting many First Amendment cases. Last year, the Court ruled that demonstrations at a military funeral are constitutional in Snyder v. Phelps, a victory for the rights of protesters. Arizona Free Enterprise Club v. Bennett also upheld First Amendment rights, prohibiting the state to equalize public funds with private contributions amassed by campaigns that opt out of public funding.

Strauss noted Federal Communications Commission v. Fox, which struck down the FCC’s ban of “indecency” in language on television.

He also discussed the Court’s ruling of concealed GPS devices as a violation of Fourth Amendment protection from “unreasonable search” in United States v. Jones.

Fourth-year Ricky Zacharias, president of UC Dems, one of the event’s co-sponsors, said that the overview was informative and accessible for those unfamiliar with the Court’s activities.

“It’s easy for cases to pass you by, especially if you don’t have time to listen to NPR every day. All in all, this was a great primer for everyone looking to keep up with the Court,” Zacharias said.

Strauss joined the faculty of the Law School in 1985 and is an editor of the Supreme Court Review. He has argued 18 cases before the Supreme Court.

Leave a Comment
Donate to Chicago Maroon
$670
$2000
Contributed
Our Goal

Your donation makes the work of student journalists of University of Chicago possible and allows us to continue serving the UChicago and Hyde Park community.

More to Discover
Donate to Chicago Maroon
$670
$2000
Contributed
Our Goal

Comments (0)

All Chicago Maroon Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *