(Supreme) Court Rules Against Philip Morris

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Court Rules Against Philip Morris

The Associated Press
Monday, June 11, 2007; 10:32 AM

WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court ruled Monday that Philip
Morris Cos. Inc. cannot move a lawsuit by cigarette smokers
into federal court.

The unanimous decision came in a case that consumers filed
against the cigarette company in state court in Arkansas.

Philip Morris, a part of Altria Group Inc., moved the case
to federal court in Little Rock, Ark., saying it could do so
because the company was pervasively regulated by the
Federal Trade Commission.

-snip-

The potential for large damage awards from state court
juries makes the federal court system a more desirable
place for tobacco companies and other defendants sued in
class-action cases.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/11/AR2007061100847.html

[liberal N proud]

1. You can understand why they wanted it in a Federal Court

With the bu$h/Gonzo appointed judges in the Federal System and all, they surely would have stood a much better chance of getting one of them to dismiss this case.

Little guys finally get one.

[Orrex]

2. I agree, but I'm surprised

I would have thought that at least *ahem* several of our esteemed Justices would have liked the case to go Bush's Right-packed Federal judiciary.

[liberal N proud]

3. Karl didn't get the memo to them in time for them to bring judgment

[Orrex]

4. Ah--good point

It's always best when Karl has the chance to inform them of their opinion prior to ruling.