Walker v. Texas Division, Sons of Confederate Veterans, Inc.
Holding
Because Texas"s specialty license plate designs constitute government speech, it was entitled to reject a proposal for plates featuring a Confederate battle flag.
Judgment
Reversed, 5-4, in an opinion by Stephen G. Breyer on Jun 18, 2015. Justice Alito filed a dissenting opinion, in which Chief Justice Roberts, and Justices Scalia and Kennedy joined.
Aug 7, 2014Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due September 8, 2014)
Aug 26, 2014Order extending time to file response to petition to and including October 8, 2014.
Oct 8, 2014Brief of respondents Texas Division, Sons of Confederate Veterans, Inc., et al. in opposition filed.
Oct 21, 2014Reply of petitioners John Walker, III, in His Official Capacity as Chairman of the Board, et al. filed. (Distributed)Oct 22, 2014DISTRIBUTED for Conference of November 7, 2014.
Nov 10, 2014DISTRIBUTED for Conference of November 14, 2014.
Nov 17, 2014DISTRIBUTED for Conference of November 25, 2014.
Dec 1, 2014DISTRIBUTED for Conference of December 5, 2014.
Dec 5, 2014Petition GRANTED.
Dec 12, 2014Consent to the filing of amicus curiae briefs, in support of either party or of neither party, received from counsel for petitioners.
Dec 31, 2014Brief of petitioners John Walker, III, in His Official Capacity as Chairman of the Board, et al. filed.
Dec 31, 2014Joint appendix filed. (Statement of costs filed.)
Jan 7, 2015Consent to the filing of amicus curiae briefs, in support of either party or of neither party, received from counsel for the respondents.
Jan 7, 2015Brief amicus curiae of Justice and Freedom Fund filed.
Jan 7, 2015Brief amici curiae of Ohio, et al. filed.
Jan 9, 2015The time to file respondents' brief on the merits is extended to and including February 9, 2015.
Jan 26, 2015Brief amici curiae of American Center for Law and Justice, et al. in support of neither party filed.
Jan 26, 2015Brief amici curiae of Phil Berger, President Pro Tempore of the North Carolina Senate, et al. in support of neither party filed.
Feb 2, 2015SET FOR ARGUMENT ON Monday, March 23, 2015
Feb 3, 2015Record requested from U.S.C.A. 5th Circuit.
Feb 3, 2015Record from U.S.C.A. is electronic and located on PACER.
Feb 9, 2015Brief of respondents Texas Division, Sons of Confederate Veterans, Inc., et al. filed.
Feb 9, 2015Record received from U.S.D.C. Western District of Texas (Austin) is electronic.
Feb 12, 2015CIRCULATED
Feb 13, 2015Brief amicus curiae of Children First Foundation, Inc. filed. (Distributed)Feb 17, 2015Brief amicus curiae of The Rutherford Institute filed. (Distributed)Feb 17, 2015Brief amici curiae of Cato Institute, et al. filed. (Distributed)Feb 17, 2015Brief amici curiae of American Civil Liberties Union, et al. filed. (Distributed)Feb 17, 2015Brief amicus curiae of Americans United for Separation of Church and State filed. (Distributed)Feb 17, 2015Brief amicus curiae of Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) filed. (Distributed)Feb 17, 2015Brief amici curiae of Choose Life Wisconsin, Inc., et al. filed. (Distributed)Feb 18, 2015Brief amicus curiae of The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty filed. (Distributed)Mar 11, 2015Reply of petitioners John Walker, III, in His Official Capacity as Chairman of the Board, et al. filed. (Distributed)Mar 23, 2015Argued. For petitioners: Scott A. Keller, Solicitor General, Austin, Tex. For respondents: R. James George, Jr., Austin, Tex.Jun 18, 2015Judgment REVERSED. Breyer, J., delivered the opinion of the Court, in which Thomas, Ginsburg, Sotomayor, and Kagan, JJ., joined. Alito, J., filed a dissenting opinion, in which Roberts, C. J., and Scalia and Kennedy, JJ., joined.
Recommended Citation: Walker v. Texas Division, Sons of Confederate Veterans, Inc., SCOTUSblog, https://www.scotusblog.com/cases/walker-v-texas-division-sons-of-confederate-veterans-inc/