Louisiana marriage case distributed for January 9 Supreme Court conference

Today, December 17, a petition from Louisiana seeking certiorari in a federal marriage case, Robicheaux v. Georgewas distributed for the January 9 conference at the United States Supreme Court.

The January 9 conference is the Supreme Court's first chance to consider this petition seeking certiorari. This case is one of five marriage cases from five states that have submitted petitions seeking review from the Supreme Court. One or more of the other four petitions could still be distributed for the January 9 conference. The plaintiffs in the Robicheaux v. George case filed this petition seeking review of their case prior to judgment from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit. The defendants have replied to the petition, also urging the Supreme Court to take the case.

After the January 9 conference, the Court will announce if it will grant certiorari in the case, meaning it has agreed to hear oral arguments and likely offer judgment. If the Court makes no mention of the marriage cases after the conference, the cases will likely be relisted for consideration at a future conference. The subsequent conferences this winter will be held on January 16 and January 23. 

It is more important than ever that the nation's highest court take up a marriage case and end marriage discrimination - every day that same-sex couples are denied, real American families are hurt, and the only way to end this unfair treatment is for the Supreme Court to act. 

Read about litigation at the U.S. Supreme Court here.