http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R40820.pdf

Presents an overview of the principles of incorporation, the early Supreme Court cases that addressed the application of the Second Amendment to state governments, and the federal appellate cases that have ruled on incorporation of the Second Amendment since the District of Columbia v. Heller decision. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists.

http://leahy.senate.gov/issues/SupremeCourt/070709LawEnforcementPressConfStudy.pdf

Based on a review of more than 800 appellate criminal cases, this report argues that Sotomayor demonstrates a consistent record of following the rule of law in upholding convictions and sentences in criminal cases. From the Majority Staff of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

http://laws.findlaw.com/us/000/07-1428

5-4 decision by the Supreme Court which affirmed the results of a placement test for firefighters which the city of New Haven, fearing discrimination lawsuits, had rejected when no African Americans and only 2 Hispanic firefighters qualified for promotion. The decision reversed rulings by District and Appeals Courts including Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor. The dissenters argued that the decision overturned Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. From Findlaw.com.

http://laws.findlaw.com/us/000/07-591

5-4 Supreme Court decision that criminal defendants have the right at trial to question those who prepare forensic reports. Rules that such reports are testimony subject to cross examination. From Findlaw.com

http://laws.findlaw.com/us/000/08-479

8-1 Supreme Court decision that the strip search of a 13 year old school girl violated her constitutional rights. The justices agreed that such searches were permissible only if the other students were threated by a clear and immediate danger. From Findlaw.com

http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/RL33247.pdf

Reviews the history of 158 presidential nominations to the Supreme Court and the forms and patterns of Senate consideration and action. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists.

http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R40649.pdf

This report provides an analysis of selected opinions authored by Judge Sotomayor during her tenure as a judge on the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. The selected opinions are grouped according to various topics of legal significance. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists.

http://laws.findlaw.com/us/000/08-305

6-3 decision of the Supreme Court that parents of children with disabilities may seek reimbursement for private school tuition even if they have not previously sent their children to public schools. From Findlaw.com.

http://laws.findlaw.com/us/000/08-322

8-1 ruling by the Supreme Court that an Austin, Texas municipal utility district could apply to opt out of the provisions of the Voting Rights Act. The court declined to use the case to declare unconstitutional the provisions that require 16 mostly southern states to gain Justice Department approval to prevent discriminatory voting practices. From Findlaw.com

http://laws.findlaw.com/us/000/08-6

5-4 decision of the Supreme Court that an accused person does not have a constitutional right to DNA testing. From Findlaw.com

http://www.supremecourtus.gov/opinions/08pdf/08-22.pdf

5-4 decision of the Supreme Court that excessive campaign contributions to a judge create an unconstitutional threat to a fair trial. The case involved a Massey Coal Company executive who contributed $3 million to the campaign of a candidate for the Supreme Court of West Virginia after his company lost a lower court case involving a judgement of $50 million. The well-funded candidate won the election over the incumbent and became the decisive vote in overturning the lower court decision. From the Supreme Court.