Plaintiffs who enjoy partial success in civil rights lawsuits should not be entitled to have the governments they sue cover their attorneys’ fees, the Supreme Court heard on Oct. 8.
The justices heard oral arguments in Lackey v. Stinnie, which involves a now-repealed Virginia statute that mandated the automatic suspension—without notice or a hearing—of driver’s licenses for people who fail to pay court fines or fees.
Georgia and 18 states support Virginia, arguing in a brief that states need “clear and predictable rules for when they might be exposed to [legal fee awards].” The U.S. Department of Justice also weighed in on Virginia’s behalf….