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Maracich v. Spears

Docket No. Op. Below Argument Opinion Vote Author Term
12-25 4th Cir. Jan 9, 2013 Jun 17, 2013 5-4 Kennedy OT 2012

Holding: An attorney’s solicitation of clients is not a permissible purpose covered by the “litigation exception” to the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act.

Judgment: Vacated and remanded, 5-4, in an opinion by Justice Kennedy on June 17, 2013. Justice Ginsburg filed a dissenting opinion, in which Justice Scalia, Justice Sotomayor, and Justice Kagan joined.

SCOTUSblog Coverage

DateProceedings and Orders (key to color coding)
Jul 2 2012Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due August 6, 2012)
Aug 6 2012Brief of respondent Michael Eugene Spears, et al. in opposition filed.
Aug 20 2012Reply of petitioner Edward F. Maracich, et al. filed.
Aug 22 2012DISTRIBUTED for Conference of September 24, 2012.
Sep 25 2012Petition GRANTED.
Oct 31 2012SET FOR ARGUMENT ON Wednesday, January 9, 2013.
Nov 9 2012Joint appendix filed. (Statement of costs filed.)
Nov 9 2012Brief of petitioners Edward F. Maracich, et al. filed.
Nov 13 2012Record received from U.S.C.A. for 4th Circuit. (1 box)
Nov 16 2012CIRCULATED.
Nov 16 2012Brief amici curiae of Electronic Privacy Information Center, et al. filed. (Distributed)
Nov 16 2012Brief amicus curiae of Electronic Frontier Foundation filed. (Distributed)
Nov 28 2012Record from U.S.D.C. for the District of South Carolina is electronic.
Dec 10 2012Brief of respondents Michael Eugene Spears, et al. filed. (Distributed)
Jan 2 2013Reply of petitioners Edward F. Maracich, et al. filed. (Distributed)
Jan 9 2013Argued. For petitioners: Joseph R. Guerra, Washington, D. C. For respondents: Paul D. Clement, Washington, D. C.
Jun 17 2013Judgment VACATED and case REMANDED. Kennedy, J., delivered the opinion of the Court, in which Roberts, C. J., and Thomas, Breyer, and Alito, JJ., joined. Ginsburg, J., filed a dissenting opinion, in which Scalia, Sotomayor, and Kagan, JJ., joined.
Jul 19 2013JUDGMENT ISSUED
Jul 29 2013Record returned to U.S. C.A. for 4th Circuit.