Created: 7/15/2009 6:14:11 PM 
Greensboro, NC -- An Elon University Law professor tells us Supreme Court nominees usually don't discuss their thoughts on specific cases because they may end up hearing a related case while on the court.
Steve Friedland says that while Sotomayor is President Obama's first nominee, and could be the first hispanic justice, her appointment would not likely shake up the dynamic of the supreme court. "She's replacing Justice David Suiter who while appointed by a republican, nominated by a republican, has not been associated with the conservative part of the court, so in all likelihood, she would not change the composition. There will still be a lot of five to four votes."
Friedland says the hearings going on now is just the first step in a process that could take two and a half months.
WFMY News 2
