Legal Opinion
Philip Morris USA v. Williams
Supreme Court of the United States
Decided February 20, 2007No. 05-1256PublishedCited by 302 opinions
1Opinion of the CourtJustice Breyer
The question we address today concerns a large state-court punitive damages award. We are asked whether the Constitution’s Due Process Clause permits a jury to base that award in part upon its desire to punish the defendant for harming persons who are not before the court (e. g., victims whom the parties do not represent). We hold that such an award would amount to a taking of “property” from the defendant without due process.
I
This lawsuit arises out of the death of Jesse Williams, a heavy cigarette smoker. Respondent, Williams’ widow, represents his estate in this state lawsuit for…
2Cases cited12 opinions
- Gertz v. Robert Welch, Inc.Supreme Court of the United States · 1974
- BMW of North America, Inc. v. GoreSupreme Court of the United States · 1996
- State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance v. CampbellSupreme Court of the United States · 2003
- City of Newport v. Fact Concerts, Inc.Supreme Court of the United States · 1981
- Pacific Mutual Life Insurance v. HaslipSupreme Court of the United States · 1991
7 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.
3Cited by302 opinions
- Exxon Shipping Co. v. BakerSupreme Court of the United States · 2008
- Paroline v. United StatesSupreme Court of the United States · 2014
- Tayler Bayer v. Neiman Marcus Group, Inc.Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit · 2017
- Murphy v. Islamic Republic of IranDistrict Court, District of Columbia · 2010
- Rimkus v. Islamic Republic of IranDistrict Court, District of Columbia · 2010
297 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.