The opinion is out. Not surprisingly, the government won 7-2 (Kagan gets a victory at oral argument). I thought Justice Sotomayor would join the dissent based upon the oral argument, but it looks like Orin Kerr called the lineup exactly right with only Justices Scalia and Thomas dissenting (if my memory is right). Despite my recent low-blogging-level, I will have plenty of Comstock coverage throughout the day. For now, though, check out these links:
Opinion upholding federal sex offender statute
SCOTUS upholds broad federal power to commit sex offenders in Comstock
Federal Government Wins Comstock
Other than the holdings, what are the biggest "stories" of the Graham and Comstock rulings?
Necessary and Proper to Extend Civil Committment for Sex Offenders: Comstock Opinion Analysis
yep i'm not suprised either. Of course this CRIMINAL ruling puts our supreme court and govt right up there with Adolph Hitler, Stalin, and Mao. As far as i'm concerned these individuals and their families have every LEGAL and MORAL right to use whatever means necessary up to and INCLUDING force to free themself or their family member from this CRIMINAL ILLEGAL inprisonment.
Sory it's not even close to legal to decide someone is sane enough to trial. Have the trial! get a conviction! inpose a sentence! serve that sentence! THEN DECIDE THEY ARE NUTS!
Posted by: rodsmith | May 17, 2010 at 02:43 PM