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Ideological Exclusion

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Acknowledging the reality of an increasingly diverse society, the Supreme Court ended its 2002 Term with historic decisions supporting affirmative action and gay rights. But the Court's conservative's instincts were evident in rulings involving criminal defendants and immigrants that were low points for civil liberties. Read more >>

FEATURES
Supreme Court Faces 9/11 Cases and Other High Profile Issues in a Term Destined to Produce Landmark Decision
Statement of Steven R. Shapiro, ACLU Legal Director
Another Chance to "Fix '96:" Supreme Court to Review Mandatory Detention of Immigrants
Statement of Judy Rabinovitz, Senior Staff Counsel, Immigrants' Rights Project
Affirmative Action and Online Free Speech Cases Once Again Loom Large on Supreme Court Docket
Statement of Chris Hansen, Senior Staff Attorney, ACLU



SUPREME COURT CASES

2002 TERM
Godfrey v. Doe (10/2/2002)
DECIDED

Desert Palace, Inc. v. Costa (4/10/2003)
DECIDED

Lawrence v. Texas (1/22/2003)
DECIDED

Grutter v. Bollinger (2/20/2003)
DECIDED
This case challenged the use of affirmative action in the University of Michigan's law school admissions process. The Court upheld the constitutionality of narrowly tailored race-conscious affirmative action programs that further the compelling interest of diversity.

Commonwealth of Virginia v. Hicks (4/4/2003)
DECIDED

Chavez v. Martinez (10/29/2002)
DECIDED

Demore v. Kim (11/6/2002)
DECIDED

Connecticut Dept. of Public Safety v. Doe (10/2/2002)
DECIDED

Overton v. Bazzetta (2/20/2003)
DECIDED

North Jersey Media Group, Inc. v. Ashcroft (3/3/2003)


U.S. v. American Library Association (2/11/2003)
DECIDED

State of Georgia v. Ashcroft (4/4/2003)
DECIDED

Medical Board of California v. Hason (2/24/2003)


Lockyer v. Andrade (10/2/2002)
DECIDED

Nike, Inc. v. Kasky (2/24/2003)
DECIDED

Nevada Department of Human Resources v. Hibbs (11/6/2002)
DECIDED


FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
McConnell v. FEC (6/3/2003)
Reviewing campaign finance law. DECIDED


RACIAL EQUALITY
Gratz v. Bollinger (2/18/2003)
DECIDED
This case challenged the use of affirmative action in the University of Michigan's undergraduate admissions process. Though this particular program was struck down, the Court upheld the constitutionality of affirmative action in order to further the compelling interest of diversity.


RIGHT TO FAIR PROCEDURES
Frew v. Hawkins (6/20/2003)
Reviewing states' claim of immunity under the Eleventh Amendment. DECIDED

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