Supreme

The Supreme Court’s deeply divided order rejecting an emergency challenge to California’s pandemic-related restrictions on places of worship still provides a guide for lower courts balancing government rules intended to preserve public health with parishioners’ constitutional religious rights.Just before midnight Friday, the court on a 5-to-4 vote rejected a challenge from South Bay Pentecostal Church…

In a 5-4 decision from the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday, a request from a California church that challenged the state restrictions on attendance at religious services during the coronavirus pandemic was rejected.Conservative Chief Justice John Roberts joined the court's four liberals, turning away the appeal brought by the South Bay United Pentecostal Church in…

Late Friday night, the Supreme Court handed down a 5-4 decision establishing that states still have some power to regulate how many people are allowed to gather in churches during a deadly pandemic. The case, South Bay United Pentecostal Church v. Newsom, began on May 11, when a California church sought a lower court order…

Chief Justice John Roberts joins liberals as court splits 5-4 Church argued limits on attendance violated first amendment John Roberts, seen at the State of the Union address in February. Photograph: Leah Millis/AP A divided supreme court on Friday rejected an emergency appeal by a California church that challenged state limits on attendance at services…

A church in North Hollywood, Calif., stands empty last month after services were canceled because of coronavirus restrictions. Damian Dovarganes/AP hide caption toggle caption Damian Dovarganes/AP A church in North Hollywood, Calif., stands empty last month after services were canceled because of coronavirus restrictions. Damian Dovarganes/AP The Supreme Court has rejected a California church's attempt…