Today at the Supreme Court | 1.8.08

At 10 a.m., the Court is scheduled to hear argument in Gonzalez v. United States (06-11612), asking whether a criminal defendant must himself waive the right to appear before an Article III judge. Brent Newton of the Houston Federal Public Defender’s office will argue for the petitioner, and Lisa Blatt of the Solicitor General’s office will argue for the respondent.

At 11 a.m, the Court is scheduled to hear argument in Boulware v. United States (06-1509), asking whether intent to make a return of capital is required for funds diverted and distributed to a shareholder of a corporation without earnings and profits to qualify as non-taxable return of capital in the context of a criminal trial for tax evasion. John Cline of San Francisco will argue for the petitioner, and Deanne Maynard of the Solicitor General’s office will argue for the respondent.

We will provide links to the transcripts of the arguments as soon as they become available.

The Court today may also issue opinions on the merits in one or more pending cases.