Busy docket in store for newest justice
Newly confirmed Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh will immediately begin his job on the bench with cases ranging in nature from burglary to illegal immigration.
On Kavanaugh’s projected Tuesday start date he will debate cases dealing with robbery and burglary. Stokeling v. United States, on the Supreme Court agenda for Kavanaugh’s first day, questions state robbery offenses and victim resistance.
The following day, Kavanaugh and the other justices will hear Nielson v. Preap, which questions whether a “criminal alien becomes exempt from mandatory detention if, after the alien is released from criminal custody, the Department of Homeland Security does not take him into immigration custody immediately.”
According to the Supreme Court calendar, the month of October includes eight argument days and three conference days.
November will include six argument days, one nonargument session and four conference days.
One upcoming case that is not yet set for argument is Apple Inc. v. Pepper. The technology giant involved in this case against Robert Pepper questions whether consumers can sue anyone who delivers goods to them for antitrust damages. A class of consumers has claimed Apple illegally monopolized the distribution of iPhone apps.
The threshold issue of the case is who can seek damages based on the supposed anti-competitive conduct: the consumer or the app developer.
The Supreme Court holds oral arguments in 70 to 80 cases a year, which gives justices such as newly confirmed Kavanaugh an option to ask questions directly of the attorneys representing each party.
Such arguments last an hour with two arguments being held each day.
During each term of the Supreme Court, 7,000 to 8,000 new cases are filed.