Supreme Court of the United States · Official docket →
Catherine L. Hanaway, in Her Official Capacity as Attorney General of Missouri, et al. v. Thomas L. Sanderson
Paid petition · United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, No. 24-3120, 24-3204 · judgment January 2, 2026
(petition-stage, structural)
Modestly above the 4.1% base rate. The model weights this up for a state or local-government petitioner, a circuit split argued in the petition, and an Eighth Circuit decision below.
Question presented
Under Missouri law, convicted sex offenders cannot participate in Halloween: They must avoid all Halloween-related contact with children, remain at their residence with all outside lighting off during the evening hours, and post a notice stating “No candy or treats at this residence.” Thomas Sanderson, a convicted sex offender, challenged the sign-posting requirement as unconstitutional compelled speech. The Eighth Circuit agreed and struck down Missouri’s law—contending that “the sign mandate compels speech” and fails strict scrutiny. The question presented is: Does Missouri’s Halloween sign-posting requirement, which requires factually accurate disclosures, unconstitutionally compel the speech of convicted sex offenders?
Counsel of record
For petitioner
—
For respondent
Janice Madelyn Bellucci
Law Office of Janice M. Bellucci
Proceedings
- Aug 03 2026Brief amici curiae of Iowa, et al. filed.
- Jul 17 2026Motion to extend the time to file a response is granted and the time is extended to and including September 8, 2026.
- Jul 16 2026Motion to extend the time to file a response from August 7, 2026 to September 8, 2026, submitted to The Clerk.
- Jul 06 2026Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due August 7, 2026)
- Apr 29 2026Application (25A1191) granted by Justice Kavanaugh extending the time to file until July 6, 2026.
- Apr 22 2026Application (25A1191) to extend the time to file a petition for a writ of certiorari from May 7, 2026 to July 6, 2026, submitted to Justice Kavanaugh.