Supreme Court Advocacy Hub
Sharing the county perspective on key Supreme Court cases
Jump to Section
As the U.S. Supreme Court addresses some of the most complex public policy issues of the day, it is essential that county officials are aware of the Supreme Court’s docket and offer our perspectives on the practical, frontline realities on county-related legal issues.
Through our partnership with the Local Government Legal Center, NACo works to raise awareness of the importance of Supreme Court cases to county governments and help shape the outcome of cases of significance at the Supreme Court through persuasive and effective advocacy.
Current Supreme Court Term
NACo files amicus briefs in key cases to further county priorities ahead of the Supreme Court.
NACo Legal Advocacy: Monsanto Company v. Durnell
Monsanto v. Durnell considers a preemption issue that carries substantial implications for counties.
NACo Legal Advocacy: Olivier v. City of Brandon, Mississippi
In Olivier v. City of Brandon, the U.S. Supreme Court is considering when individuals who have been convicted of violating a local ordinance may later bring a federal civil-rights suit challenging that law.
NACo Legal Advocacy: William Trevor Case v. State of Montana
The question at hand in William Trevor Case v. State of Montana is how the “emergency-aid” exemption to the Fourth Amendment is defined and whether it should require “probable cause,” a higher legal threshold that would be needed to justify officers entering the premises of a home in an emergency-aid scenario.
The Local Government Legal Center
The Local Government Legal Center (LGLC) is a coalition of national local government organizations formed in 2023 to provide education to local governments regarding the Supreme Court and its impact on local governments and local officials and to advocate for local government positions at the Supreme Court in appropriate cases.
Explore Past Supreme Court Terms
Lindke v. Freed/O'Connor Ratcliff v. Garnier
Clear guidelines governing when public officials' use of personal social media accounts constitutes state action can help local governments to avoid liability without infringing on the First Amendment rights of their public officials or citizens.
Muldrow v. St. Louis
In a season of acute workforce shortages, the ability to make lateral transfers without fear of legal action is an important tool for county governments to ensure we have appropriate staffing to meet our various responsibilities for safeguarding the safety, health and wellbeing of our residents.
Sheetz v. El Dorado County
Exaction or impact fees are an important way for local governments to balance the benefits of growth with its impacts on the pre-existing community. Limiting the ability of counties to legislatively enact generally applicable development impact fees would impede our efforts to protect the health and welfare of their communities while ensuring that those who create the need for new community infrastructure fairly bear the costs.
City of Grants Pass v. Gloria Johnson
As communities across the country address the complex and nuanced issues of housing shortages and homelessness crises, it is critical for localities to retain the ability to make tough policy choices unobstructed by court-issued mandates.
Gonzalez v. Trevino
This case has implications for the ease with which private citizens can file frivolous retaliatory arrest claims against county law enforcement, which could lead to costly litigation for cities and counties and a chilling effect on public safety enforcement by county agencies.
Chiaverini vs. City of Napoleon
When private citizens file meritless civil rights claims against police for alleged malicious prosecutions, counties can bear significant financial liability and practice of standard law enforcement may see a chilling effect.
Sign up for email updates
Complete the form to receive the latest Supreme Court news impacting counties.