Guns, Warrantless Home Searches, and Ballot Boxes: Inside the Supreme Court's June 2nd Order List

Guns, Warrantless Home Searches, and Ballot Boxes: Inside the Supreme Court's June 2nd Order List

In this episode of Supreme Court Oral Arguments and Opinions, I break down the Court's June 2, 2025 Order List, focusing on several cases that touch on fundamental constitutional questions affecting Americans' daily lives. The episode examines four cases where the Court granted certiorari and two denied cases that sparked passionate written dissents.

Cases Granted Review:

1. Bost v. Illinois Board of Elections | Case No. 24-568 | Docket Link: Here.

Question: Do federal candidates have standing to challenge state laws allowing ballots to be counted after Election Day?

Background: Stems from a lawsuit by Congressman Michael Bost and two Republican Presidential Elector Nominees involving a challenge to Illinois' law that allows mail-in ballots to be received and counted up to fourteen days after Election Day.

Implications: Could affect how mail-in ballots are processed in federal elections across more than half the states

2. Case v. Montana | Case No. 24-624 | Docket Link: Here.

Question: Do police need probable cause or only reasonable suspicion to enter homes without a warrant during emergencies?

Background: Stems from a welfare check that resulted in William Trevor Case being shot by police and later convicted of assaulting a peace officer

Implications: Will clarify Fourth Amendment standards for warrantless home entries during potential emergencies

3. GEO Group, Inc. v. Menocal | Case No. 24-758 | Docket Link: Here.

Question: Can government contractors immediately appeal denials of derivative sovereign immunity claims?

Background: Involves allegations that a private detention center operator forced detainees to clean common areas and paid only $1.00 per day for voluntary work

Implications: Will affect litigation risks for companies contracting with the government in sensitive areas

4. Hencely v. Fluor Corp. | Case No. 24-924 | Docket Link: Here.

Question: Does federal law preempt state tort claims against military contractors in war zones?

Background: Arises from a 2016 suicide bombing at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan that severely injured a U.S. Army specialist

Implications: Billions in potential liability for military contractors and access to remedies for injured service members

Notable Cert Denials:

1. Nicholson v. W.L. York | Case No. 23–7490

Issue: When does the statute of limitations restart for repeated acts of racial discrimination?

Dissent: Justice Jackson, joined by Justice Sotomayor, argued that each discriminatory act should start a new limitations clock

Significance: Affects when victims of ongoing discrimination can bring legal claims

2. Snope v. Brown | Case No. 24–203

Issue: Does Maryland's ban on AR-15s and similar semi-automatic rifles violate the Second Amendment?

Statement: Justice Kavanaugh noted AR-15s' common use but supported further percolation

Dissent: Justice Thomas forcefully dissented, arguing the ban is unconstitutional

Implications: Maintains state-by-state variations in assault weapons regulations while suggesting the Court may address the issue in coming terms

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Introduction

00:01:26  Cert Granted: Bost v. Illinois Board of Elections

00:03:39 Cert Granted: Case v. Montana

00:06:59 Cert Granted: GEO Group v. Menocal

00:08:48 Cert Grant: Hencely v. Fluor Corp.

00:10:35 Cert Denied: Nicholson v. W.L. York

00:12:04 Cert Denied: Snope v. Brown

00:16:30 Conclusion