United States v. Thomas
Headline: United States allowed to seek expedited Supreme Court review to lift a federal appeals court’s temporary block; the Court set a fast timetable for briefs and scheduled argument before Louisiana’s April 1960 election.
Holding: The Court agreed to accept the United States’ petition for review if filed by the Solicitor General by January 29, 1960, and set expedited filing deadlines and argument for February 23, 1960.
- Creates expedited timetable for federal review before Louisiana’s April 19, 1960 election.
- Requires Government and respondents to file briefs and records on tight February deadlines.
- Directs related appeals to be considered together at a single hearing.
Summary
Background
The United States asked the Supreme Court to vacate (remove) a temporary block the Court of Appeals entered on January 21, 1960, and to reinstate a lower court’s decree. The Attorney General of Louisiana asked for argument on that request. The opinion notes that another pending appeal, United States v. Raines (No. 64), involves related issues, so the Court decided the matters should be considered together.
Reasoning
Because the issues in this case are closely tied to those in the other appeal and because a statewide general election in Louisiana was scheduled for April 19, 1960, the Court said it would consider the whole matter at once. The Court will accept a petition for review filed by the Solicitor General by January 29, 1960 (a request asking the Court to take the case), and, if filed, will hear argument and the related merits on February 23, 1960. The Court set deadlines for the record and written briefs so the matter can be decided quickly.
Real world impact
The order creates an accelerated schedule for review that could affect the timing of legal relief before the April state election. It does not resolve the underlying dispute on the merits; it only sets procedures and dates for the Government and Louisiana to file papers and argue the case together with the related appeal. Deadlines include the record and Government brief by February 10, respondents’ briefs by February 20, and a Government reply by February 22.
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