Separation of Powers
The Court Considers the Impact of Lawsuits on the Executive Branch
When the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on May 27, 1997,in the case of Clinton v. Jones, few would have predicted the chain of events that the decision would set in motion. The Court was unanimous in its decision that a civil suit alleging sexual harassment filed by Paula Jones against then-President Bill Clinton should be allowed to proceed."Clinton v. Jones is a very interesting case study," said Ohio State Law Professor Peter Shane, a separation of powers expert. "The Court was being faithful to precedent and showing respect for the two electoral branches of government. The Court never foresaw the…
