The Court agreed to hear the following cases:
Beneficial Natl Bank v. Anderson (02-306): In this case, the Court will consider whether the National Banking Act “completely preempts” state law such that federal courts can exercise removal jurisdiction under the doctrine of complete preemption. The Eleventh Circuit said no.
Virginia v. Hicks (02-371): This should be an interesting First Amendment case. A Virginia public housing authority restricted access to streets and sidewalks in a public housing development. Mr. Hicks was arrested for violating this ordinance, and in his defense, he argued that the policy violated the First Amendment by restricting the right of nonresidents to enter the property and speak. The Virginia Supreme Court ruled for Mr. Hicks. The Court will consider the validity of the ordinance, and Mr. Hicks’ standing to challenge the ordinance.