The Supreme Court agreed today to settle the constitutionality of a 2005 law giving federal officials authority to order the long-term confinement of individuals considered to be sexually dangerous, reports Scotusblog.com. The Obama administration appealed a ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit in Richmond that Congress overstepped its authority when it enacted a law allowing for indefinite commitment of people who are considered “sexually dangerous,” the Associated Press reports.
In an important case on the scope of “Miranda” rights, the court said it would decide whether warnings to a suspect in police custody must exclude an explicit assurance that the individual may have a lawyer in the room while questioning goes on. The appeal was filed by Kevin Dwayne Powell of Florida, who was convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm, the Associated Press reports. The Florida Supreme Court said his Miranda warning was insufficient.