US Supreme Court issues 4 opinions this week

Via Scotusblog:

In United States v. Stevens, the Court affirmed the lower court decision in an opinion by Chief Justice Roberts.  The vote was 8-1, with Justice Alito dissenting.  The Court strikes down as substantially overbroad the federal law making it a crime to depict animal cruelty in commercial expression.

In Jerman v. Carlisle, the Court  reverses and remands the lower court decision, with Justice Sotomayor writing for the majority.   On a 7-2 vote, the Court holds that in defending against a violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, one may not use the defense that it was simply an error or mistake.  The opinion is here.

In Perdue v. Kenny A., the Court reverses and remands the lower court.   Justice Alito writes for the Court. Justice Breyer dissents in part, joined by Justices Stevens, Ginsburg, and Sotomayor.  The Court rules that the calculation of an attorney's fee may be increased if the lawyer has provided a superior performance but only in "extraordinary circumstances."  The opinion is here.

In Conkright v. Frommert, the Court reverses and remands the lower court, in an opinion by Chief Justice Roberts.  The vote is 5-3, with Justice Sotomayor taking no part.  Justice Breyer dissents, joined by Justices Stevens and Ginsburg.   The Court rules that the federal district court should have deferred to the ERISA plan administrator's interpretation of the plan's terms.  The opinion is here.