Richard Shugrue

Nebraska’s Merit Plan for Judicial Selection Has Worked Well

Published by Nikki Ratay on Wed, 05/12/2021 - 12:00am

It’s almost 60 years since Nebraska adopted the Merit Plan for Judicial Selection in 1962.

By and large, the system designed to take “hard politics” out of the choice and retention of judges at all levels has worked well. The state has had 10 governors since the constitutional amendment was adopted. Four chief justices have been chosen under the merit plan, two from each political party.

Picking the Top Supremes … and How Many There Are

Published by Nikki Ratay on Wed, 04/28/2021 - 12:00am

Did you vote for the greatest justice of them all in the SCOTUSblog version of March Madness, which just picked Earl Warren for the top honors?

Breyer’s Warning in Scalia Lecture Worth Hearing, Even If You Disagree

Published by Nikki Ratay on Wed, 04/14/2021 - 12:00am

The annual Scalia Lecture at the Harvard Law School is mind-bending and provocative — like its namesake, the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.

Judiciary Starting to Be Shaped By Biden and the Democrats

Published by Scott Stewart on Wed, 03/31/2021 - 12:00am

The next few days will show whether President Joe Biden has dropped the ball on the critical issue of appointing judges.

As a matter of fact, by the time you read this, he may have redeemed himself with antsy Democrats who have been waiting since January for the first nominations.

Supreme Court Hard at Work on Interesting Docket This Term

Published by Nikki Ratay on Wed, 03/24/2021 - 12:00am

While you have been distracted by the passage of the COVID-19 relief bill, the reopening of the economy in many states, the nip by President Joe Biden’s dog and “The Interview” by Oprah of Meghan and Harry, the Supreme Court has been hard at work dealing with a very interesting docket.

California Case Offers Puzzler on Fourth Amendment Rights

Published by Nikki Ratay on Wed, 03/03/2021 - 12:00am

There are more exceptions to the Fourth Amendment’s warrant requirement than you can count on the fingers of both hands. There are consent searches and open fields searches, there are automobile searches and plain view ones, and there are hot pursuit searches.

You often think of a hot pursuit when a cop chases a gun-toting robber from a bank and follows him directly into his hideout. That’s an easy one.

No Delay, No ABA Holding Up Biden Push for New Jurists

Published by Nikki Ratay on Wed, 02/17/2021 - 12:00am

The Biden administration is acutely aware of the importance of filling any federal judicial vacancy promptly if it ever wants to catch up to the 226 seats filled in the four years of the Trump presidency.

Trump’s sharp focus on getting judgeships filled resulted, among other things, in seating three Supreme Court justices and appointing every circuit court vacancy.

Supreme Court Should Resolve to Adopt a Code of Ethics

Published by Nikki Ratay on Wed, 12/30/2020 - 12:00am

Happy New Year, one and all!

And for the United States Supreme Court, here’s a resolution for you: Adopt a code of ethics.

Nebraska Courts Show Leadership Amid Crisis

Published by Nikki Ratay on Mon, 12/14/2020 - 12:00am

While some political leaders in Nebraska have waffled about handling COVID-19, our judges have made no bones about being tough and clear that this pandemic is no joke and citizens having business in the courts will abide by rules to keep them safe.

Hoping for a More Collegial Supreme Court During These Times of Political Bitterness

Published by Nikki Ratay on Mon, 11/16/2020 - 12:00am

Justice Amy Coney Barrett was full speed ahead in her first few days on the U.S. Supreme Court. She arrived in the midst of the pandemic and the day before America’s most contentious election in recent memory.

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