Court strikes down law that revived sex cases

The Supreme Court, ruling in the case of a man accused of raping his young daughters decades ago, said Thursday that the government cannot retroactively erase statutes of limitations to allow prosecutions of old crimes.

The decision may overturn as many as 800 child molestation convictions in California, some of them involving Roman Catholic priests, and bar the prosecution of dozens of other pending cases. It also puts in doubt the constitutionality of a terrorism-fighting law passed after the 2001 attacks.

The court divided 5-4 in striking down a California law that allowed prosecutions for long-ago sex crimes. It was challenged by a 72-year-old man whose daughters said they were too afraid to report him to police.

The majority, anchored by the court’s liberals, said it was fundamentally unfair for the government to change the rules after the fact.

Retirement notice teases court watchers

Spectators held their breath for just an instant at Thursday’s Supreme Court session when, after the last of the court’s opinions had been read, Chief Justice William Rehnquist said that he had a retirement to announce.

And then they exhaled as Rehnquist proceeded to say that the court’s librarian, Shelley Dowling, would be stepping down after nearly 15 years.

For now, at least, all the justices are staying put, contrary to much feverish speculation.

More than a few courtroom veterans wondered if the occasionally puckish 78-year-old had not dangled the R word just to tweak court-watchers who have been predicting that he would put himself out to pasture at the end of this term.

Sitting next to Rehnquist, Justice John Paul Stevens, 83 and the subject of retirement rumors himself, struggled to suppress a grin.

Court won’t rule in case about Nike campaign

The Supreme Court dismayed the corporate world Thursday by refusing to decide whether sneaker giant Nike’s claim that its ads and statements defending overseas labor practices are constitutionally protected free speech — not false advertising as a California advocate alleged.

Instead, the court dismissed the case without ruling on the merits of Nike’s claim. That means a San Francisco advocate can continue his lawsuit against the company under a law allowing businesses to be prosecuted for unfair competition or false advertising.

A Supreme Court ruling had been eagerly anticipated by big business, media companies and the public relations industry.

Justice John Paul Stevens said the court did not need to delve into the complex free speech issues raised by the case now, before the case has gone to trial.

More consideration ordered for political map

Georgia and other states with a history of racial discrimination won more leeway Thursday from the Supreme Court in drawing political boundaries in areas heavily populated by minorities.

The 5-4 ruling, which addressed three state Senate districts in Georgia, could have major implications on other states required to get federal approval for their redistricting.

While acknowledging that racial makeup of districts still must be a factor, the court said it should not be the only factor.

In the Georgia case, the Legislature — then under Democratic control — reduced the number of blacks in the three Senate districts but kept all three with a black voting age population above 50 percent.