The U.S. Supreme Court announced its docket for the term beginning October 7 that included First Amendment cases, one contesting whether prayers before town council meetings are allowed and a Massachusetts law restricting protesters at abortion clinics. The court will also revisit the issue of limits on campaign contribution caps for individuals. In its Citizens United decision the court ruled that corporations, unions and associations had a First Amendment right to make unlimited contributions. (The New York Times, October 7, 2013, by Adam Liptak)
The case on campaign contributions, McCutcheon v. FEC, contests the limit on political contributions from a single donor to $123,200 over a two year federal election cycle. Those for lifting the limits say that they restrict speech while opponents argue that removing the limits would erode the electoral process as the wealthy gain more influence. (Frontline, October 4, 2013, by Sarah Childress)
The court passed on one First Amendment case concerning when an online threat should be prosecuted. The court had been expected by some to take the case given conflicting federal appellate court decisions on the issue. The court let stand the conviction of an Iraq veteran who sang on YouTube that he would kill a Tennessee judge if he refused him visitation rights to his daughter. (Wired, October 7, 2013, by David Kravets)