Waddington v. Sarausad was a court case handled by the United States Supreme Court under Chief Justice John G. Roberts that was argued in 2008. The case involved the conviction of Cesar Sarausad for second-degree murder due to his role as driver in a shooting regarding gang activity and high school students. Sarausad sought federal habeas corpus

Habeas corpus

is a writ, or legal action, through which a prisoner can be released from unlawful detention. The remedy can be sought by the prisoner or by another person coming to his aid. Habeas corpus originated in the English legal system, but it is now available in many nations...

 relief, but the act of providing relief to Sarausad was called back into judicial review

Judicial review

Judicial review is the doctrine under which legislative and executive actions are subject to review by the judiciary. Specific courts with judicial review power must annul the acts of the state when it finds them incompatible with a higher authority...

 by the State of Washington in a certiorari

Certiorari

Certiorari is a type of writ seeking judicial review, recognized in U.S., Roman, English, Philippine, and other law. Certiorari is the present passive infinitive of the Latin certiorare...

petition. The Supreme Court agreed to review the case.

The Roberts Court

Roberts Court

In the United States, the Roberts Court refers to the Supreme Court of the United States since 2005, under the leadership of Chief Justice John G. Roberts...

held that Sarausad was tried with due process by the State of Washington, and that he should not have been granted habeas corpus relief. In doing so, the federal government overstepped its bounds.