Supreme Court of the United States

Opinions of October Term 1985

The 163 opinions the Supreme Court issued in the term that opened in October 1985: 146 signed by a Justice and 17 per curiam.

DecidedCaseOpinion byCitationCited
July 7, 1986Commodity Futures Trading Commission v. Schor et al.Sandra Day O'Connor478 U.S. 833 (1986)991
July 7, 1986Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals Inc. v. Thompson et al., as Next Friends and Guardians of Thompson et al.John Paul Stevens478 U.S. 804 (1986)2209
July 7, 1986University of Tennessee et al. v. ElliottByron Raymond White478 U.S. 788 (1986)1063
July 7, 1986Bowsher, Comptroller General of the United States v. Synar, Member of Congress, et al.Warren Earl Burger478 U.S. 714 (1986)839
July 7, 1986Arcara, District Attorney of Erie County v. Cloud Books, Inc., Dba Village Book & News Store, et al.Warren Earl Burger478 U.S. 697 (1986)341
July 7, 1986Bethel School District No. 403 et al. v. Fraser, a Minor, et al.Warren Earl Burger478 U.S. 675 (1986)857
July 7, 1986Papasan, Superintendent of Education, et al. v. Allain, Governor of Mississippi, et al.Byron Raymond White478 U.S. 265 (1986)9423
July 2, 1986Randall et al. v. Loftsgaarden et al.Sandra Day O'Connor478 U.S. 647 (1986)320
July 2, 1986Baker et al. v. General Motors Corp. et al.John Paul Stevens478 U.S. 621 (1986)
July 2, 1986United States v. James et al.Lewis Franklin Powell Jr.478 U.S. 597 (1986)371
July 2, 1986Rose, Warden v. ClarkLewis Franklin Powell Jr.478 U.S. 570 (1986)2431
July 2, 1986Pennsylvania et al. v. Delaware Valley Citizens' Council for Clean Air et al.Byron Raymond White478 U.S. 546 (1986)1746
July 2, 1986Local Number 93, International Association of Firefighters, Afl-Cio, C. L. C. v. City of Cleveland et al.William Joseph Brennan Jr.478 U.S. 501 (1986)850
July 2, 1986Local 28 of the Sheet Metal Workers' International Association et al. v. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission et al.William Joseph Brennan Jr.478 U.S. 421 (1986)724
July 1, 1986Bazemore et al. v. Friday et al.Per curiam478 U.S. 385 (1986)677
July 1, 1986Allen v. IllinoisWilliam Hubbs Rehnquist478 U.S. 364 (1986)533
July 1, 1986Posadas De Puerto RICO Associates, Dba Condado Holiday Inn v. Tourism Company of Puerto RICO et al.William Hubbs Rehnquist478 U.S. 328 (1986)420
July 1, 1986Library of Congress et al. v. ShawHarry Andrew Blackmun478 U.S. 310 (1986)871
June 30, 1986Allen v. Hardy et al.Per curiam478 U.S. 255 (1986)521
June 30, 1986Acosta v. Louisiana Department of Health and Human Resources et al.Per curiam478 U.S. 251 (1986)
June 30, 1986Japan Whaling Association et al. v. American Cetacean Society et al.Byron Raymond White478 U.S. 221 (1986)688
June 30, 1986Bowers, Attorney General of Georgia v. Hardwick et al.Byron Raymond White478 U.S. 186 (1986)953
June 30, 1986Davis et al. v. Bandemer et al.Byron Raymond White478 U.S. 109 (1986)371
June 30, 1986Thornburg, Attorney General of North Carolina, et al. v. Gingles et al.William Joseph Brennan Jr.478 U.S. 30 (1986)1221
June 30, 1986Press-Enterprise Co. v. Superior Court of California for the County of RiversideWarren Earl Burger478 U.S. 1 (1986)1326
June 27, 1986New Mexico v. EarnestPer curiam477 U.S. 648 (1986)
June 27, 1986Lyng, Secretary of Agriculture v. Castillo et al.John Paul Stevens477 U.S. 635 (1986)228
June 27, 1986Ohio Civil Rights Commission et al. v. Dayton Christian Schools, Inc., et al.William Hubbs Rehnquist477 U.S. 619 (1986)887
June 27, 1986United States Department of Transportation et al. v. Paralyzed Veterans of America et al.Lewis Franklin Powell Jr.477 U.S. 597 (1986)224
June 27, 1986City of Riverside et al. v. Rivera et al.William Joseph Brennan Jr.477 U.S. 561 (1986)1221
June 26, 1986United States Department of the Treasury, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms v. GaliotoWarren Earl Burger477 U.S. 556 (1986)
June 26, 1986Smith v. Murray, Director, Virginia Department of CorrectionsSandra Day O'Connor477 U.S. 527 (1986)1683
June 26, 1986Murray, Director, Virginia Department of Corrections v. CarrierSandra Day O'Connor477 U.S. 478 (1986)7499
June 26, 1986Kuhlmann, Superintendent, Sullivan Correctional Facility v. WilsonLewis Franklin Powell Jr.477 U.S. 436 (1986)1205
June 26, 1986Ford v. Wainwright, Secretary, Florida Department of CorrectionsThurgood Marshall477 U.S. 399 (1986)1525
June 26, 1986Kimmelman, Attorney General of New Jersey, et al. v. MorrisonWilliam Joseph Brennan Jr.477 U.S. 365 (1986)3502
June 25, 1986Macdonald, Sommer & Frates v. County of Yolo et al.John Paul Stevens477 U.S. 340 (1986)565
June 25, 1986Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, Administratrix of the Estate of CatrettWilliam Hubbs Rehnquist477 U.S. 317 (1986)119442
June 25, 1986Memphis Community School District et al. v. StachuraLewis Franklin Powell Jr.477 U.S. 299 (1986)1171
June 25, 1986International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America, et al. v. Brock, Secretary of LaborThurgood Marshall477 U.S. 274 (1986)487
June 25, 1986Anderson et al. v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., et al.Byron Raymond White477 U.S. 242 (1986)135235
June 24, 1986Maine v. Taylor et al.Harry Andrew Blackmun477 U.S. 131 (1986)702
June 23, 1986Offshore Logistics, Inc., et al. v. Tallentire et al.Sandra Day O'Connor477 U.S. 207 (1986)525
June 23, 1986Darden v. Wainwright, Secretary, Florida Department of CorrectionsLewis Franklin Powell Jr.477 U.S. 168 (1986)4161
June 23, 1986Atkins, Commissioner, Massachusetts Department of Public Welfare v. Rivera et al.Harry Andrew Blackmun477 U.S. 154 (1986)182
June 23, 1986United States v. American Bar Endowment et al.Thurgood Marshall477 U.S. 105 (1986)194
June 19, 1986McMillan et al. v. PennsylvaniaWilliam Hubbs Rehnquist477 U.S. 79 (1986)1908
June 19, 1986Meritor Savings Bank, Fsb v. Vinson et al.William Hubbs Rehnquist477 U.S. 57 (1986)5248
June 19, 1986Bowen, Secretary of Health and Human Services, et al. v. Public Agencies Opposed to Social Security Entrapment et al.Lewis Franklin Powell Jr.477 U.S. 41 (1986)248
June 18, 1986Schiavone et al. v. Fortune, Aka Time, Inc.Harry Andrew Blackmun477 U.S. 21 (1986)857
June 18, 1986Wardair Canada Inc. v. Florida Department of RevenueWilliam Joseph Brennan Jr.477 U.S. 1 (1986)458
June 16, 1986Young, Commissioner of Food and Drug Administration v. Community Nutrition Institute et al.Sandra Day O'Connor476 U.S. 974 (1986)224
June 16, 1986Nantahala Power & Light Co. et al. v. Thornburg, Attorney General of North Carolina, et al.Sandra Day O'Connor476 U.S. 953 (1986)252
June 16, 1986Lyng, Secretary of Agriculture, et al. v. Payne et al.Sandra Day O'Connor476 U.S. 926 (1986)401
June 16, 1986Attorney General of New York v. Soto-Lopez et al.William Joseph Brennan Jr.476 U.S. 898 (1986)341
June 16, 1986Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation v. Wold Engineering, P. C., et al.Sandra Day O'Connor476 U.S. 877 (1986)243
June 16, 1986East River Steamship Corp. et al. v. Transamerica Delaval Inc.Harry Andrew Blackmun476 U.S. 858 (1986)1227
June 11, 1986Reed v. Campbell, Individually and as Administratrix of the Estate of RickerJohn Paul Stevens476 U.S. 852 (1986)
June 11, 1986United States v. MottazHarry Andrew Blackmun476 U.S. 834 (1986)324
June 11, 1986Thornburgh, Governor of Pennsylvania, et al. v. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists et al.Harry Andrew Blackmun476 U.S. 747 (1986)526
June 11, 1986United States v. DionThurgood Marshall476 U.S. 734 (1986)199
June 11, 1986Bowen, Secretary of Health and Human Services, et al. v. Roy et al.Warren Earl Burger476 U.S. 693 (1986)399
June 9, 1986Crane v. KentuckySandra Day O'Connor476 U.S. 683 (1986)2651
June 9, 1986Bowen, Secretary of Health and Human Services, et al. v. Michigan Academy of Family Physicians et al.John Paul Stevens476 U.S. 667 (1986)958
June 9, 1986Bowen, Secretary of Health and Human Services v. American Hospital Association et al.John Paul Stevens476 U.S. 610 (1986)282
June 3, 1986United States v. Hughes Properties, Inc.Harry Andrew Blackmun476 U.S. 593 (1986)124
June 3, 1986Brown-Forman Distillers Corp. v. New York State Liquor AuthorityThurgood Marshall476 U.S. 573 (1986)661
June 3, 1986United States et al. v. Hemme et al.Thurgood Marshall476 U.S. 558 (1986)
June 3, 1986Lee v. IllinoisWilliam Joseph Brennan Jr.476 U.S. 530 (1986)1066
June 2, 1986South Carolina et al. v. Catawba Indian Tribe, Inc.John Paul Stevens476 U.S. 498 (1986)171
June 2, 1986City of Los Angeles et al. v. Preferred Communications, Inc.William Hubbs Rehnquist476 U.S. 488 (1986)179
June 2, 1986Bowen, Secretary of Health and Human Services, et al. v. City of New York et al.Lewis Franklin Powell Jr.476 U.S. 467 (1986)2998
June 2, 1986Federal Trade Commission v. Indiana Federation of DentistsByron Raymond White476 U.S. 447 (1986)614
May 27, 1986Public Service Commission of Maryland v. Chesapeake & Potomac Telephone Company of MarylandPer curiam476 U.S. 445 (1986)
May 27, 1986Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation v. Philadelphia Gear Corp.Sandra Day O'Connor476 U.S. 426 (1986)151
May 27, 1986Square D Co. et al. v. Niagara Frontier Tariff Bureau, Inc., et al.John Paul Stevens476 U.S. 409 (1986)339
May 27, 1986International Longshoremen'S Association, Afl-Cio v. DavisByron Raymond White476 U.S. 380 (1986)384
May 27, 1986Louisiana Public Service Commission v. Federal Communications Commission et al.William Joseph Brennan Jr.476 U.S. 355 (1986)914
May 19, 1986Bowen, Secretary of Health and Human Services v. Owens et al.Lewis Franklin Powell Jr.476 U.S. 340 (1986)
May 19, 1986Henderson et al. v. United StatesLewis Franklin Powell Jr.476 U.S. 321 (1986)558
May 19, 1986Wygant et al. v. Jackson Board of Education et al.Lewis Franklin Powell Jr.476 U.S. 267 (1986)802
May 19, 1986Brock, Secretary of Labor v. Pierce CountyThurgood Marshall476 U.S. 253 (1986)393
May 19, 1986Dow Chemical Co. v. United States, by and Through Administrator, Environmental Protection AgencyWarren Earl Burger476 U.S. 227 (1986)341
May 19, 1986California v. CiraoloWarren Earl Burger476 U.S. 207 (1986)1253
May 5, 1986Lockhart, Director, Arkansas Department of Corrections v. McCreeWilliam Hubbs Rehnquist476 U.S. 162 (1986)1649
May 5, 1986Poland v. ArizonaByron Raymond White476 U.S. 147 (1986)338
May 5, 1986Smalis et al. v. PennsylvaniaByron Raymond White476 U.S. 140 (1986)328
April 30, 1986Batson v. KentuckyLewis Franklin Powell Jr.476 U.S. 79 (1986)16401
April 30, 1986Diamond et al. v. Charles et al.Harry Andrew Blackmun476 U.S. 54 (1986)1118
April 30, 1986Turner v. Murray, Director, Virginia Department of CorrectionsByron Raymond White476 U.S. 28 (1986)533
April 29, 1986Equal Employment Opportunity Commission v. Federal Labor Relations Authority et al.Per curiam476 U.S. 19 (1986)
April 29, 1986McLaughlin v. United StatesJohn Paul Stevens476 U.S. 16 (1986)192
April 29, 1986Skipper v. South CarolinaByron Raymond White476 U.S. 1 (1986)1534
April 22, 1986New York v. P.j. Video, Inc., Dba Network Video, et al.William Hubbs Rehnquist475 U.S. 868 (1986)198
April 22, 1986Sorenson v. Secretary of the Treasury et al.Harry Andrew Blackmun475 U.S. 851 (1986)355
April 22, 1986United States v. American College of PhysiciansThurgood Marshall475 U.S. 834 (1986)103
April 22, 1986Aetna Life Insurance Co. v. Lavoie et al.Warren Earl Burger475 U.S. 813 (1986)705
April 21, 1986Dennison Manufacturing Co. v. Panduit Corp.Per curiam475 U.S. 809 (1986)
April 21, 1986City of Los Angeles et al. v. HellerPer curiam475 U.S. 796 (1986)2104
April 21, 1986United States v. QuinnPer curiam475 U.S. 791 (1986)
April 21, 1986Philadelphia Newspapers, Inc., et al. v. Hepps et al.Sandra Day O'Connor475 U.S. 767 (1986)858
April 21, 1986Evans, Governor of Idaho, et al. v. Jeff D. et al., Minors, by and Through Their Next Friend, Johnson, et al.John Paul Stevens475 U.S. 717 (1986)504
April 21, 1986Icicle Seafoods, Inc. v. Worthington et al.William Hubbs Rehnquist475 U.S. 709 (1986)479
April 7, 1986Delaware v. Van ArsdallWilliam Hubbs Rehnquist475 U.S. 673 (1986)7102
April 7, 1986United States v. City of Fulton et al.Thurgood Marshall475 U.S. 657 (1986)
April 7, 1986At&t Technologies, Inc. v. Communications Workers of America et al.Byron Raymond White475 U.S. 643 (1986)4474
April 1, 1986Michigan v. JacksonJohn Paul Stevens475 U.S. 625 (1986)1418
April 1, 1986Golden State Transit Corp. v. City of Los AngelesHarry Andrew Blackmun475 U.S. 608 (1986)227
March 25, 1986Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd, et al. v. Zenith Radio Corp. et al.Lewis Franklin Powell Jr.475 U.S. 574 (1986)58760
March 25, 1986Holbrook, Superintendent, Massachusetts Correctional Institution, et al. v. FlynnThurgood Marshall475 U.S. 560 (1986)1122
March 25, 1986Paulussen v. HerionPer curiam475 U.S. 557 (1986)
March 25, 1986Bender et al. v. Williamsport Area School District et al.John Paul Stevens475 U.S. 534 (1986)2256
March 25, 1986Goldman v. Weinberger, Secretary of Defense, et al.William Hubbs Rehnquist475 U.S. 503 (1986)421
March 25, 1986Pembaur v. City of Cincinnati et al.William Joseph Brennan Jr.475 U.S. 469 (1986)6061
March 10, 1986Moran, Superintendent, Rhode Island Department of Corrections v. BurbineSandra Day O'Connor475 U.S. 412 (1986)3339
March 10, 1986United States v. InadiLewis Franklin Powell Jr.475 U.S. 387 (1986)682
March 10, 1986Exxon Corp. et al. v. Hunt, Administrator of New Jersey Spill Compensation Fund, et al.Thurgood Marshall475 U.S. 355 (1986)171
March 5, 1986Malley et al. v. Briggs et al.Byron Raymond White475 U.S. 335 (1986)6748
March 4, 1986Whitley, Individually and as Assistant Superintendent, Oregon State Penitentiary, et al. v. AlbersSandra Day O'Connor475 U.S. 312 (1986)6155
February 26, 1986Chicago Teachers Union, Local No. 1, Aft, Afl-Cio, et al. v. Hudson et al.John Paul Stevens475 U.S. 292 (1986)498
February 26, 1986Wisconsin Department of Industry, Labor and Human Relations et al. v. Gould Inc.Harry Andrew Blackmun475 U.S. 282 (1986)333
February 26, 1986Fisher et al. v. City of Berkeley, California, et al.Thurgood Marshall475 U.S. 260 (1986)203
February 26, 1986Morris, Superintendent, Southern Ohio Correctional Facility v. MathewsByron Raymond White475 U.S. 237 (1986)145
February 26, 1986Connolly et al., Trustees of the Operating Engineers Pension Trust v. Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation et al.Byron Raymond White475 U.S. 211 (1986)681
February 26, 1986National Labor Relations Board v. Financial Institution Employees of America, Local 1182, Chartered by United Food & Commercial Workers International Union, Afl-Cio, et al.William Joseph Brennan Jr.475 U.S. 192 (1986)113
February 26, 1986Nix, Warden v. WhitesideWarren Earl Burger475 U.S. 157 (1986)983
February 26, 1986Texas v. McCulloughWarren Earl Burger475 U.S. 134 (1986)534
February 25, 1986United States v. KoecherPer curiam475 U.S. 133 (1986)
February 25, 1986New York v. ClassSandra Day O'Connor475 U.S. 106 (1986)728
February 25, 1986United States v. Maine et al.John Paul Stevens475 U.S. 89 (1986)
February 25, 1986United States v. Mechanik et al.William Hubbs Rehnquist475 U.S. 66 (1986)987
February 25, 1986City of Renton et al. v. Playtime Theatres, Inc., et al.William Hubbs Rehnquist475 U.S. 41 (1986)1818
February 25, 1986Pacific Gas & Electric Co. v. Public Utilities Commission of California et al.Lewis Franklin Powell Jr.475 U.S. 1 (1986)408
January 27, 1986Parsons Steel, Inc., et al. v. First Alabama Bank et al.William Hubbs Rehnquist474 U.S. 518 (1986)420
January 27, 1986Midlantic National Bank v. New Jersey Department of Environmental ProtectionLewis Franklin Powell Jr.474 U.S. 494 (1986)763
January 27, 1986Witters v. Washington Department of Services for the BlindThurgood Marshall474 U.S. 481 (1986)288
January 27, 1986United States v. Lane et al.Warren Earl Burger474 U.S. 438 (1986)1201
January 22, 1986Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Corp. v. State Oil and Gas Board of Mississippi et al.Harry Andrew Blackmun474 U.S. 409 (1986)
January 22, 1986Cabana, Superintendent, Mississippi State Penitentiary, et al. v. BullockByron Raymond White474 U.S. 376 (1986)536
January 22, 1986Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System v. Dimension Financial Corp. et al.Warren Earl Burger474 U.S. 361 (1986)444
January 21, 1986Davidson v. Cannon et al.William Hubbs Rehnquist474 U.S. 344 (1986)1806
January 21, 1986Daniels v. WilliamsWilliam Hubbs Rehnquist474 U.S. 327 (1986)7676
January 21, 1986United States v. Loud Hawk et al.Lewis Franklin Powell Jr.474 U.S. 302 (1986)786
January 14, 1986Wainwright, Secretary, Florida Department of Corrections v. GreenfieldJohn Paul Stevens474 U.S. 284 (1986)752
January 14, 1986Vasquez, Warden v. HilleryThurgood Marshall474 U.S. 254 (1986)1638
January 14, 1986United States v. Von NeumannWilliam Joseph Brennan Jr.474 U.S. 242 (1986)116
December 16, 1985United States v. Rojas-ContrerasWarren Earl Burger474 U.S. 231 (1985)177
December 12, 1985Regents of the University of Michigan v. EwingJohn Paul Stevens474 U.S. 214 (1985)1052
December 10, 1985Cleavinger et al. v. Saxner et al.Harry Andrew Blackmun474 U.S. 193 (1985)1070
December 10, 1985Maine v. MoultonWilliam Joseph Brennan Jr.474 U.S. 159 (1985)1260
December 4, 1985Thomas v. Arn, Superintendent, Ohio Reformatory for WomenThurgood Marshall474 U.S. 140 (1985)28671
December 4, 1985United States v. Riverside Bayview Homes, Inc., et al.Byron Raymond White474 U.S. 121 (1985)729
December 3, 1985Lake Coal Co., Inc. v. Roberts & Schaefer Co.Per curiam474 U.S. 120 (1985)
December 3, 1985Miller v. Fenton, Superintendent, Rahway State Prison, et al.Sandra Day O'Connor474 U.S. 104 (1985)1743
December 3, 1985Heath v. AlabamaSandra Day O'Connor474 U.S. 82 (1985)631
December 3, 1985Green et al. v. Mansour, Director, Michigan Department of Social ServicesWilliam Hubbs Rehnquist474 U.S. 64 (1985)1617
November 18, 1985Hill v. Lockhart, Director, Arkansas Department of CorrectionWilliam Hubbs Rehnquist474 U.S. 52 (1985)11299
November 18, 1985Pennsylvania Bureau of Correction v. United States Marshals Service et al.Lewis Franklin Powell Jr.474 U.S. 34 (1985)344
November 12, 1985Pennsylvania v. GoldhammerPer curiam474 U.S. 28 (1985)153
November 4, 1985Lanier v. South CarolinaPer curiam474 U.S. 25 (1985)
November 4, 1985Delaware v. FenstererPer curiam474 U.S. 15 (1985)1786
November 4, 1985California State Board of Equalization et al. v. Chemehuevi Indian TribePer curiam474 U.S. 9 (1985)117
November 4, 1985Cuyahoga Valley Railway Co. v. United Transportation Union et al.Per curiam474 U.S. 3 (1985)106

← All Supreme Court opinions

Source: opinions from October Term 1985, the U.S. Reports (via govinfo.gov / supremecourt.gov), with authoring Justice and vote from the Supreme Court Database (Washington University) or the Court’s syllabus. Citation counts from the Free Law Project’s CourtListener bulk data. Informational only; verify against the primary source before relying.