May and June are going to be consequential when it
comes to legal outcomes in our country.
In New York City, we're going to get a verdict
in the trial of former President Donald Trump.
Here in Washington, the Supreme Court will issue their most
consequential opinions,
impacting everything from abortion rights to gun rights to help
your city tackles homelessness.
Biggest case number one to watch Mifepristone's future referred to
by some as the abortion pill.
The drug last year was used in more than six
in 10 abortions performed in the US.
But a group of anti abortion doctors claim the drug
is unsafe and that the FDA incorrectly approved the drug
for certain uses like allowing it to be mailed.
The FDA says it is safe if the drug is
restricted by the High Court,
providers may soon have to use other drugs for medication
abortions.
Biggest case number 2. Will a bump stock ban stay
in place?
Former President Trump banned bump stocks after the 2017 mass
shooting in Las Vegas.
Bump stocks modify semi automatic guns to speed the firing
mechanism,
turning them. Into machine gun like devices Will the High
Court keep the ban in place or will justices find
that it violates the Second Amendment?
Biggest case number three Social media crackdown Justices heard multiple
cases this term about whether social media companies can block
or censor content.
One case looks at whether the Biden administration has the
right to ask a social media site to take down
a post if they believe it is fake.
Biggest case number four Homeless rights.
Can cities relocate or move homeless encampments?
What rights do those without housing have?
The forthcoming opinion could drastically impact what your city can
do.
To address places occupied by the unhoused and biggest case
number 5,
Presidential immunity. Does former President Trump have any immunity from
the charges he is facing for January 6th?
These are hugely consequential cases across a whole range of
issues.
Allison Lacroix is a law professor at the University of
Chicago.
She says the High Court has the chance to change
a lot in our country in the coming weeks.
However, she ranks the Trump immunity case as the biggest
to watch.
That can impact democracy, definitely if they said absolute immunity.
That would potentially bar ex President Trump from federal criminal
cases and potentially state criminal prosecutions.
Joe, Saint George, Scripps News,
Washington.