Coronavirus prompts Supreme Court to postpone arguments
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court announced this week it is postponing arguments for late March and early April because of the coronavirus.
Other business will go on as planned, including the justices’ private conference on Friday and the release of orders in a week’s time.
Some justices may participate by telephone, the court said in a statement.
Six of the nine justices are 65 and older, at higher risk of getting very sick from the illness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, 87, and Stephen Breyer, 81, are the oldest members of the court.
There is no new date set for the postponed arguments. the building has been closed to the public since last week.
The only other time the 85-year-old court building was closed for arguments was in October 2001, when anthrax was detected in the court mailroom.
That led the justices to hold arguments in the federal courthouse about a half mile from the Supreme Court.
Within a week and after a thorough cleaning, the court reopened.
In 1918, when the court still met inside the Capitol, arguments were postponed for a month because of the flu pandemic.
In the nation’s early years, in August 1793 and August 1798, adjustments were made because of yellow fever outbreaks, the court said.
Sixth Circuit holds student essay contest
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit is holding a student essay contest on the “Role of Civics Education in Protecting the Rule of Law.”
Over the past few decades, the nation has undergone a significant decline in the provision of civics education, and the effects are troubling, according to a news release from the court.
Keeping in mind the state of civics education in the country today: Is the teaching of civics valuable to maintaining American democracy? Why is the rule of law important to American democracy, and what role does the teaching of civics have in protecting the rule of law? How can civics education be improved to better “enlighten our citizenry”?
The contest is open to high school students who are juniors and seniors, in Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Tennessee, including students in the 11th and 12th grades attending public, private, parochial and charter schools, and home-schooled students of equivalent grade status.
Children of federal judges or federal judiciary employees are not eligible.
Cash prizes will be awarded: first place is $2,000; second place $1,500; third place $1,000.
The first place winner, along with a parent or guardian, will receive travel and accommodations to attend the 2020 Sixth Circuit Judicial Conference in Cleveland.
The deadline to enter is April 24. Judging will be based on: demonstrating an understanding of the role of the judiciary and why the rule of law is important (40 points); clarity and effectiveness in expressing the theme (30 points); grammar, spelling, and composition (25 points); use of citations and bibliographies (5 points).
For additional information, visit connections.ca6.uscourts.gov/civics-contest.
Questions may be directed to the Office of the Circuit Executive at 513.564.7200 or civics_contest@ca6.uscourts.gov.
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