MARK SHERMAN, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court’s court mishandling of big news about same-sex marriage was a reminder that even the justices put their robes on one arm at a time.

Developments on an issue moving at warp speed through the legal system already were confusing. But then, twice this week, the court added to the head-scratching by releasing information that was wrong or seriously incomplete. It affected both same-sex couples seeking to get married and state officials trying to preserve bans on gay and lesbian unions.

These weren’t the first mistakes made by the highest court in the land, and certainly they won’t be the last. They can run from trivial to life-changing.