Today in Supreme Court History: December 7

Campbell v. Holt, 115 U.S. 620 (decided December 7, 1885): new Texas constitution (which went into effect after Texas was readmitted into the Union) validly abolished statute of limitations as to suit for value of plantation (which included value added by pre-manumission slaves)

Michigan v. Fisher, 558 U.S. 45 (decided December 7, 2009): “emergency aid” exception to warrant requirement applied when man was seen screaming and throwing things in his house even though he pointed a gun at officer and demanded a warrant before entry and police didn’t know if anyone else was in the house (in dissent Stevens said trial judge’s impression of witnesses should be given deference and Court should not “micromanage” in a close case)

Lockhart v. United States, 546 U.S. 142 (decided December 7, 2005): Social Security benefits can be withheld to pay student loan debt (this holding will become important as this generation of college students gets to retirement age still in debt)