Skinner v. Switzer

Docket No.	Op. Below	Argument	Opinion	Vote	Author	Term
09-9000	5th Cir.	Oct 13, 2010 Tr.Aud.	Mar 7, 2011	6-3	Ginsburg	OT 2010

Holding: Federal courts have subject matter jurisdiction over civil rights lawsuits, filed under Section 1983, that seek access to DNA evidence to challenge a state conviction.

Plain English Holding: Convicted inmates seeking access to DNA evidence to prove their innocence may do so by filing a federal civil rights lawsuit, rather than having to undertake the more difficult process of filing a petition for a writ of habeas corpus.

Judgment: Reversed, 6-3, in an opinion by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on March 7, 2011. Justice Thomas filed a dissent, which was joined by Justice Kennedy and Justice Alito.

SCOTUSblog Coverage

Last week's opinions in Plain English (Lisa McElroy)
A limited DNA access plea allowed (Lyle Denniston)
The Term so far in plain English (Lisa McElroy)
Argument recap: Drawing a line between habeas and Section 1983 (Thomas J.G. Scott - Guest)
Argument day podcast: Skinner v. Switzer (Adam Schlossman)
Argument preview: seeking access to DNA testing after Osborne (Thomas J.G. Scott - Guest)
Special feature: Texas death row DNA case (Part 3) (Mary A. Fischer)
Special feature: Texas death row DNA case (Part 2) (Mary A. Fischer)
Special feature: Texas death row DNA case (Mary A. Fischer)

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Editor's Note :

Skinner v. Switzer

SCOTUSblog Coverage

Briefs and Documents

Merits Briefs

Amicus Briefs

Certiorari-Stage Documents

Featured Posts

Challengers urge justices to dismiss census case after district court ruling (Updated) – Amy Howe

Reargument analysis: Justices seek a “middle position” in takings litigation case – Miriam Seifter

Argument analysis: Justices have strong views about removal of class actions – Ronald Mann

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Conference of January 18, 2019

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Peabody Award

Sigma Delta Chi

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