National Aeronautics and Space Administration v. Nelson
| Docket No. | Op. Below | Argument | Opinion | Vote | Author | Term |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09-530 | 9th Cir. | Oct 5, 2010 | Jan 19, 2011 | 8-0 | Alito | OT 2010 |
Holding: The Court upheld NASA's background checks for employees of companies working under contract. (Kagan, J., recused).
Plain English Holding: NASA's background checks for employees of companies working under contracts with the agency do not violate any constitutional right to informational privacy that the employees may have.
Judgment: Reversed, 8-0, in an opinion by Justice Alito on January 19, 2011. (Kagan, J., recused).
SCOTUSblog Coverage
- January at the Court: In Plain English (Lisa Tucker, January 21, 2011)
- Opinion analysis: Constitutional issue left open (Lyle Denniston, January 19, 2011)
- Argument recap: Caution on privacy (Lyle Denniston, October 5, 2010)
- Argument preview: Personal privacy (Lyle Denniston, October 2, 2010)
- Court to rule on funeral pickets (Lyle Denniston, March 8, 2010)
Merits Briefs
- Brief for Petitioner National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- Brief for Respondents Robert M. Nelson, et al.
- Reply Brief for Petitioner National Aeronautics and Space Administration, et al.
Amicus Briefs
- Brief for Consumer Data Industry Association, The National Association of Professional Background Screeners, Reed Elsevier Inc., and The National Association of Screening Agencies in Suppport of Petitioner
- Brief for the American Civil Liberties Union in Support of Respondent
- Brief for Union of Concerned Scientists in Support of Respondent
- Brief for Drug Policy Alliance in Support of Respondent
- Brief for the American Astronomical Society in Support of Respondent
- Brief for California Employment Lawyers Association in Support of Respondent
- Brief for the Electronic Frontier Foundation in Support of Respondent
- Brief for the Electronic Privacy Information Center in Support of Respondent
Certiorari-Stage Documents
- Opinion Below (9th Circuit, denial of rehearing en banc)
- Petition for Certiorari (unavailable)
- Brief in Opposition (unavailable)
- Petitioner’s Reply (unavailable)