9Robes

The U.S. Supreme Court’s decisions shape the laws and lives of every American. Yet, understanding these rulings can be a challenge, often clouded by complex legal jargon and lengthy opinions. 9robes creates summaries of Supreme Court opinions using plain language and focuses on the facts.

Here, you’ll find clear, concise summaries of every Supreme Court opinion, stripped of legalese and written in plain language. For the informed citizen, these summaries are designed to give you a deeper understanding of the cases that define our nation’s legal landscape.

Each post breaks down the facts, explains the court’s reasoning, and highlights the nuances that often go unnoticed. This isn’t just about what the court decided—it's about why those decisions matter. It’s about connecting the dots between the court’s opinions and the real-world impact they have on individuals and society as a whole.

By reading these summaries, you’ll gain insights into the inner workings of the highest court in the land, demystifying decisions that can sometimes feel distant or inaccessible. Whether you want to stay informed, debate with friends, or simply satisfy your curiosity, this blog offers a gateway to understanding the pivotal rulings that shape our laws and lives.

Stay informed. Stay engaged. Know the decisions that define America.

Recent posts

Monsalvo Velázquez v. Bondi, Docket No. 23–929

The Court held that under 8 U.S.C. §1229c(b)(2), a voluntary-departure deadline that falls on a weekend or legal holiday extends to the next business day. The Court reversed the Tenth Circuit's ruling and remanded the case for further proceedings.

Cunningham et al. v. Cornell University et al., Docket No. 23–1007

The Court held that to state a claim under ERISA section 1106(a)(1)(C), a plaintiff need only plausibly allege the elements contained in that provision itself, without addressing potential section 1108 exemptions. The Court reversed the Second Circuit's decision that required plaintiffs to also plead that a transaction was unnecessary or involved unreasonable compensation.

Brenda Evers Andrew v. Tamika White, Warden, Docket No. 23–6573

The Supreme Court vacated the judgment of the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals and remanded the case for further proceedings. The Court held that the Tenth Circuit erred in failing to recognize as clearly established law the principle that the Due Process Clause forbids the admission of evidence so unduly prejudicial as to render a defendant's trial fundamentally unfair.

TikTok Inc., et al. v. Merrick B. Garland, Docket No. 24-656

The Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act as applied to TikTok. The Court found that the Act's provisions requiring TikTok to divest from Chinese ownership or cease U.S. operations do not violate the First Amendment rights of TikTok or its users. The Court applied intermediate scrutiny and concluded the Act is sufficiently tailored to address the government's important interest in preventing China from collecting vast amounts of sensitive data on U.S. users.

E.M.D. Sales, Inc., et al. v. Carrera et al., Docket No. 23-217

The Supreme Court held that the preponderance-of-the-evidence standard applies when an employer seeks to demonstrate that an employee is exempt from the minimum-wage and overtime-pay provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The Court reversed the Fourth Circuit's ruling that had required a clear-and-convincing evidence standard, and remanded the case for further proceedings.

Bouarfa v. Mayorkas, Docket No. 23–583

The Supreme Court held that revocation of an approved visa petition under 8 U.S.C. §1155 based on a sham-marriage determination by the Secretary of Homeland Security is a discretionary decision that falls within the purview of 8 U.S.C. §1252(a)(2)(B)(ii), which strips federal courts of jurisdiction to review certain actions "in the discretion of" the agency. Therefore, federal courts lack jurisdiction to review such revocations.

Department of Education, et al. v. Louisiana, et al., Docket No. 24A78

The Supreme Court denied the government's applications for partial stays of preliminary injunctions against a new Department of Education rule implementing Title IX. The Court found the government had not provided sufficient basis to disturb lower courts' conclusions that provisions found likely to be unlawful were intertwined with other parts of the rule.

Trump v. United States, Docket No. 23-939

The Court held that former presidents have absolute immunity from criminal prosecution for actions within their "conclusive and preclusive" constitutional authority, and at least presumptive immunity for all other official acts. The Court vacated the lower court's ruling and remanded the case for further proceedings consistent with this new framework.

Moody v. NetChoice, Docket No. 22-277

The Court vacated the judgments of the Fifth and Eleventh Circuits and remanded the cases, ruling that NetChoice failed to prove that the Florida and Texas laws regulating social media platforms are facially unconstitutional. The Court held that the lower courts did not properly analyze the facial First Amendment challenges.