Supreme Court grants cert in 2 cases

The Supreme Court granted certiorari in two cases this week.  Scotusblog provides a summary and links to relevant documents:

Title: Los Angeles County v. Humphries
Docket: 09-350
Issues: (1) For a claim for declaratory relief against a local public entity, must the plaintiff demonstrate that the constitutional violation was the result of a policy, custom or practice attributable to the local public entity; and (2) if the plaintiff has not made such a showing, may he or she be a "prevailing party" under 42 U.S.C. § 1988 for purposes of a fee award?

• Opinion below (9th Circuit)
• Petition for certiorari
• Brief in opposition
• Petitioner's reply

Title: Harrington v. Richter
Docket: 09-587
Issue: Does a defense lawyer violate the Sixth Amendment right to the effective assistance of counsel when he does not investigate or present available forensic evidence supporting the theory of defense he uses during trial and instead relies on cross-examination and other methods designed to create reasonable doubt about the defendant's guilt?

• Opinion below (9th Circuit)
• Petition for certiorari
• Brief in opposition
• Petitioner's reply