Summary
The Supreme Court's conservative justices disagreed on whether to hear a case about the construction of a new prison in New Orleans. Justices Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas, and Neil Gorsuch wanted to review the case, but the majority decided not to. The case involves legal arguments about federal law and whether a court-ordered prison construction is lawful.
Key Facts
- The Supreme Court's majority chose not to hear the case about the new prison.
- Justices Alito, Thomas, and Gorsuch wanted the case to be reviewed.
- Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson argues that the new prison construction violates federal law, specifically the Prison Litigation Reform Act (PLRA).
- Attorneys for the U.S. government oppose the petition, arguing the PLRA supports ongoing relief if necessary to address federal rights violations.
- As of mid-2025, the prison's construction is about 68.60% complete.
- The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a decision that denied stopping the prison's construction.
- Justice Alito wrote that the lower courts wrongly assigned the burden of proof in the case.
- There is a disagreement in the courts about which party should prove their case in such legal matters.
