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Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals Inc. v. South Carolina

Petition for certiorari denied on January 11, 2016
Docket No. Op. Below Argument Opinion Vote Author Term
15-600 S.C. N/A N/A N/A N/A OT 2015

Issue: (1) Whether a state violates the First Amendment by penalizing a defendant for the content of its speech without requiring proof that the speech contains a knowing or reckless falsehood; (2) whether the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act preempts a state enforcement action that serves no compensatory purpose and instead simply seeks to penalize a pharmaceutical company for actions that are comprehensively regulated and overseen by the Food and Drug Administration; and (3) whether the imposition of a $124 million civil penalty, without any showing of actual deception, reliance, or injury, violates the Excessive Fines Clause.

DateProceedings and Orders (key to color coding)
Sep 16 2015Application (15A303) to extend the time to file a petition for a writ of certiorari from October 6, 2015 to November 5, 2015, submitted to The Chief Justice.
Sep 17 2015Application (15A303) granted by The Chief Justice extending the time to file until November 5, 2015.
Nov 5 2015Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due December 9, 2015)
Nov 25 2015Brief of respondent South Carolina, ex rel. Alan Wilson, Attorney General in opposition filed.
Dec 9 2015DISTRIBUTED for Conference of January 8, 2016.
Dec 9 2015Reply of petitioners Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., fka Janssen Pharmaceutical, Inc., and/or Janssen, L.P., et al. filed. (Distributed).
Dec 9 2015Brief amicus curiae of The Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America filed. (Distributed).
Dec 9 2015Brief amicus curiae of Washington Legal Foundation filed. (Distributed)
Dec 9 2015Brief amicus curiae of Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America filed. (Distributed)
Dec 9 2015Brief amicus curiae of Cato Institute filed. (Distributed).
Jan 11 2016Petition DENIED. Justice Alito took no part in the consideration or decision of this petition.