N.J.'s Gun Law, Del.'s Court of Chancery and Conestoga Wood Oral Args

Things in the Third Circuit are heating up as cert petitions get filed, denied, and in one case, argued before the Supreme Court. Let's just say it's been a busy week. Today, we'll give you a breakdown of cases originating in the Third Circuit as they (try to) make their way to the Supremes.

Drake, et al. v, Jerejian, et al. -- Petitions Filed

Last year, the Third Circuit affirmed a district court's decision that held constitutional a New Jersey law that required a gun owner must show a "justifiable need" to receive a permit to carry a firearm. Earlier this year, gun owners (whose appeal is bankrolled by the NRA) filed a petition for writ of certiorari to the Supreme Court. Last week, the New Jersey Attorney General filed a brief asking the Court to deny the petition. We're waiting to see whether the Court will grant cert.

Strine v. Delaware Coalition For Open Government, Inc. -- Petition Denied

Last year, Delaware's Court of Chancery "secret arbitrations" came under fire by a public interest group claiming that the non-public arbitrations violated their First Amendment right of access. Both the district court, and Third Circuit agreed, though on different grounds. The Delaware Court of Chancery filed a petition for writ of certiorari, and on Monday, the Supreme Court denied the petition.

Conestoga Wood Specialties Corp. v. Sebelius -- Argued

On Wednesday, the Court heard oral arguments in one of the most watched group of cases this term -- Conestoga Wood Specialties Corp. The case has captured national attention as the Affordable Care Act's contraception mandate comes under fire. The Court will have to determine whether secular, for-profit corporations can exercise religion. As with most controversial issues, it will probably come down to a swing vote -- in this case Justice Kennedy's -- we'll be waiting anxiously for a decision.

Related Resources:

• SCOTUS Grants Cert in Contraception Mandate Cases (FindLaw's U.S. Third Circuit Blog)
• Delaware Chancery Court Petitions for Cert Review of 3rd Cir. Decision (FindLaw's U.S. Third Circuit Blog)
• 3rd Cir Roundup: Gun Laws, Racist Tweets, Underage Sex and More (FindLaw's U.S. Third Circuit Blog)