Supreme Court Ruling: 'Philip Morris USA v. Williams', No. 05-1256.

from Legal News in DRI's The Voice

in a 5-4 opinion by Justice Breyer--held that the Due Process Clause does not "permit[] a jury to base [a punitive damages] 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)."