U.S. Supreme Court agrees to hear 4 cases

WASHINGTON, Oct. 29 (UPI) -- The U.S. Supreme Court agreed Monday to hear four new cases, Scotusblog reported.

The cases:

-- Trevino vs. Thaler on whether people convicted of crimes will get a new chance to argue their attorneys in state court did not provide adequate representation.

-- McQuiggins vs. Perkins on whether a person's claim of innocence can be a legitimate excuse for not filing a federal habeas challenge on time

-- PPL Corporation vs. Commissioner seeking clarification on how the foreign tax credit is calculated by the Internal Revenue Service

-- Bullock vs. BankChampaign on whether misconduct by a bankruptcy trustee can affect how debts are discharged.

Also, the court:

-- Asked the U.S. Solicitor General to submit the government's views on whether the 1968 Fair Housing Act covers claims that minority renters or buyers were negatively affected by housing policy.

-- Took no action on a petition in Shelby County vs. Holder for a ruling on the constitutionality of Section 5 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. The court is waiting to receive the full records of proceedings on the case in lower courts.