FORENSICS and LAW in FOCUS @ CSIDDS | News and Trends

In Printz v. United States, #SCOTUS held that the Constitution bars the federal government from forcing or otherwise compelling local or state governments to enforce federal law. scalia of all people wrote for the majority!

Here’s what others say about the law.

Reasoning (Scalia, majority)

The Constitution creates a system of dual sovereignty. The Tenth Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states. Historical practice shows Congress cannot issue direct commands to state executive officers. Political accountability would be blurred if federal laws were enforced by state officials—citizens wouldn’t know whom to blame. Congress may: Regulate individuals directly, or Encourage state cooperation through incentives, But may not compel state officers to act.