Government

Oral Arguments, with Context

Real court arguments, crisp audio, with context. Court recordings can be difficult to follow, and many suffer from poor audio quality. This podcast enhances the audio, provides a brief introduction to each case, and explains legal concepts that may be unfamiliar to some listeners. We hope these enhancements make oral argument recordings easier to understand, more accessible, and more enjoyable to listen to. Recordings come from the courts’ own public releases; Supreme Court timing is derived locally from the Court’s official transcript and audio.

Latest Episodes:

Ana Lopez-Vasquez v. Mullin — 5th Cir. (Oct 6, 2026) Oct 10, 2026

Show notes

The Fifth Circuit hears Ana Lopez-Vasquez's immigration case. She sought judicial review while the immigration agency was still considering her protection claims, and asked the court to wait for that process to finish. Protection proceedings can concern whether someone may be sent to a particular country, rather than whether they may be removed from the United States at all. Federal law generally gives thirty days to seek review of a final removal order. That clock can run before protection proceedings are finished. Where equitable tolling is available, a late filing may be excused if the person acted diligently but an extraordinary obstacle prevented timely filing. Ana Lopez-Vasquez v. Mullin (No. 25-60405) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, argued October 6, 2026. Sources: Argument audio — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. The official recording cuts off during the judge's closing announcement, after all advocacy.: https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/OralArgRecordings/25/25-60405_10-06-2026.mp3 Argument listing — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit: https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/oral-argument-recordings/results?from=2026-08-01&to=2026-10-07 Prior procedure — public clerk docket, entries 1 and 3: https://dockets.justia.com/docket/circuit-courts/ca5/25-60405 Thirty-day filing rule — 8 U.S.C. § 1252(b)(1): https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/8/1252 Removal orders and protection proceedings — Supreme Court, Riley v. Bondi: https://www.law.cornell.edu/supremecourt/text/23-1270 Equitable tolling — Supreme Court, Holland v. Florida: https://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/09-5327.ZO.html Diligence and extraordinary circumstances — Supreme Court, Menominee Tribe v. United States: https://www.law.cornell.edu/supremecourt/text/14-510

USA v. Lee — 5th Cir. (Oct 6, 2026) Oct 09, 2026

Show notes

The Fifth Circuit hears Derrick Lee's criminal appeal. After a jury convicted him, Lee asked the sentencing judge for a sentence below the federal guidelines' recommended range. The judge declined and made remarks about Lee's choice to go to trial. Lee argues that those remarks show he was penalized for exercising his right to a jury trial. He also challenges evidence admitted at trial under the Confrontation Clause, which protects a criminal defendant's right to question witnesses against him. USA v. Lee (No. 25-11097) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, argued October 6, 2026. Sources: Argument audio — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit: https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/OralArgRecordings/25/25-11097_10-06-2026.mp3 Argument listing — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit: https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/oral-argument-recordings/results?from=2026-08-01&to=2026-10-06 Prior sentencing background — independently authored NACDL amicus brief, March 6, 2026: https://www.nacdl.org/getattachment/802a3387-2ecc-4d20-b4dc-19f179dbd27a/united-states-v-derrick-lee-brief.pdf Confrontation Clause — Constitution Annotated, Sixth Amendment: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GPO-CONAN-2022/pdf/GPO-CONAN-2022-20.pdf

United States of America v. Banyan — 2d Cir. (Sep 21, 2026) Oct 09, 2026

Show notes

The Second Circuit hears a criminal appeal arising from a courthouse security search. Security officers found ammunition in a backpack the defendant was carrying into a federal courthouse in Manhattan. A jury convicted him of possessing ammunition after a felony conviction. United States of America v. Banyan (No. 25-3060) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, argued September 21, 2026. Sources: Argument audio — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit: https://ww3.ca2.uscourts.gov/audio/25-3060.mp3 Argument listing — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit: https://ww3.ca2.uscourts.gov/oral_arguments.html Pretrial factual background — S.D.N.Y. July 14, 2025 opinion: https://app.midpage.ai/document/united-states-v-banyan-1000445620935 Conviction background — U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/brooklyn-man-convicted-possessing-18-rounds-ammunition-inside-federal-courthouse Independent trial account — Inner City Press: https://www.innercitypress.com/sdny219irakoffbanyanicp072525.html

USA v. Isiah Keller — 7th Cir. (Sep 24, 2026) Oct 09, 2026

Show notes

The Seventh Circuit hears a federal criminal appeal. Prosecutors alleged that the defendant and others paid people to buy guns on their behalf and transported the guns for resale. A straw purchaser conceals the real buyer by falsely claiming to be buying the gun for himself. Under federal sentencing guidelines, organizing or supervising other participants can increase the recommended sentence. USA v. Isiah Keller (No. 25-2709) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, argued September 24, 2026. Sources: Official argument audio — Seventh Circuit: https://media.ca7.uscourts.gov/sound/external/ef.25-2709.25-2709_09_24_2026.mp3 Official argument date and case listing — Seventh Circuit: https://media.ca7.uscourts.gov/oralArguments/oar.jsp?amonth=09%2F2026&aMonth=List+case%28s%29 Underlying firearm-purchase allegations — U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Indiana: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdin/pr/fifteen-individuals-facing-federal-indictment-gun-trafficking-conspiracy Straw-purchase explanation — independently authored Eastern District of Virginia release, hosted by ATF: https://www.atf.gov/news/press-releases/straw-purchaser-convicted-role-firearms-trafficking Aggravating-role guideline §3B1.1 — U.S. Sentencing Commission: https://www.ussc.gov/guidelines/2025-guidelines-manual/annotated-2025-chapter-3

United States of America v. Jordon Green — 2d Cir. (Sep 29, 2026) Oct 09, 2026

Show notes

The Second Circuit hears a federal criminal appeal. The defendant pleaded guilty to drug trafficking and conspiring to launder drug proceeds. His sentence includes prison followed by supervision after release. United States of America v. Jordon Green (No. 25-2430) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, argued September 29, 2026. Sources: Official argument audio — Second Circuit: https://ww3.ca2.uscourts.gov/audio/25-2430.mp3 Official argument date and case listing — Second Circuit: https://ww3.ca2.uscourts.gov/oral_arguments.html Official dated argument calendar — Second Circuit: https://www.huntcal.com/cal/eventview/USCA2/USCA2?yr=2026&id=786029921&d=29&m=9 Underlying drug case and sentencing background — U.S. Attorney’s Office: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/broome-county-man-sentenced-19-years-drug-trafficking-firearm-offenses-and-money

USA v. David D. Major — 7th Cir. (Oct 1, 2026) Oct 09, 2026

Show notes

The Seventh Circuit hears a federal criminal appeal. The underlying prosecution involved drug trafficking linked to a young woman’s death. The defendant later sought early release from prison because of serious health problems. An earlier request was denied, and that decision was upheld on appeal in 2023. Compassionate release asks a court to shorten an existing prison term. In deciding, the court still considers sentencing factors, including the seriousness of the offense. USA v. David D. Major (No. 25-2393) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, argued October 1, 2026. Sources: Official argument audio — Seventh Circuit: https://media.ca7.uscourts.gov/sound/external/ef.25-2393.25-2393_10_01_2026.mp3 Official argument date and case listing — Seventh Circuit: https://media.ca7.uscourts.gov/oralArguments/oar.jsp?amonth=10%2F2026&aMonth=List+case%28s%29 Underlying drug case and prior medical-release history — official June 21, 2023 order: https://media.ca7.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/OpinionsWeb/processWebInputExternal.pl?Path=Y2023%2FD06-21%2FC%3A22-3165%3AJ%3APerCuriam%3Aaut%3AT%3AnpDp%3AN%3A3063508%3AS%3A0&Submit=Display

USA v. Curtis Birner — 7th Cir. (Sep 16, 2026) Oct 09, 2026

Show notes

The Seventh Circuit hears an appeal in a federal gun-possession case. The case had gone to trial, and the defendant received a prison sentence of 110 months—nine years and two months. USA v. Curtis Birner (No. 23-2315) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, argued September 16, 2026. Sources: Official argument audio — Seventh Circuit: https://media.ca7.uscourts.gov/sound/external/cm.23-2315.23-2315_09_16_2026.mp3 Official argument date and case listing — Seventh Circuit: https://media.ca7.uscourts.gov/oralArguments/oar.jsp?amonth=09%2F2026&aMonth=List+case%28s%29 Trial and110-month sentencing background — U.S. Attorney's Office: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndin/pr/peru-man-sentenced-110-months-prison Waiver, forfeiture and plain-error review — United States v. Olano: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USREPORTS-507/pdf/USREPORTS-507-725.pdf

Edgar Padilla-Chaves v. Todd Blanche — 4th Cir. (Sep 15, 2026) Oct 09, 2026

Show notes

The Fourth Circuit reviews an immigration case in which the agency denied discretionary relief based on police arrest documents. The applicant has brought that denial to court, challenging how the arrest record was used. This is not a criminal trial; it is a dispute over the immigration agency's decision. The issue is whether relying on those arrest documents was legally proper. Edgar Padilla-Chaves v. Todd Blanche (No. 24-1048) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, argued September 15, 2026. Sources: Official argument audio — Fourth Circuit: https://www.ca4.uscourts.gov/OAarchive/mp3/24-1048-20260915.mp3 Case-specific arrest-record denial of relief — official September calendar, page 2: https://www.ca4.uscourts.gov/cal/internetcalSept142026.pdf

US v. Phong Nguyen — 4th Cir. (Sep 17, 2026) Oct 09, 2026

Show notes

The Fourth Circuit hears Phong Nguyen's challenge to a guilty plea that included an appeal waiver—a promise not to appeal covered issues. During the plea, the judge did not explain that a jury could decide whether his earlier offenses happened on different occasions. That distinction matters under the Armed Career Criminal Act: certain firearm offenses involving three qualifying prior convictions from different occasions carry a fifteen-year minimum. The question is whether the missing advice lets him challenge his plea despite the waiver. Harmless-error review generally asks whether a mistake affected substantial rights, usually meaning the outcome. Plain-error review adds hurdles for an objection not properly raised below: a clear error affecting substantial rights, and discretionary correction for a serious effect on the fairness or integrity of the proceedings. US v. Phong Nguyen (No. 21-4620) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, argued September 17, 2026. Sources: Official argument audio — Fourth Circuit: https://www.ca4.uscourts.gov/OAarchive/mp3/21-4620-20260917.mp3 Case-specific appeal waiver and omitted jury advice — official September calendar, page 17: https://www.ca4.uscourts.gov/cal/internetcalSept142026.pdf Armed Career Criminal Act — 18 U.S.C. § 924(e)(1): https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=%28title%3A18%20section%3A924%20edition%3Aprelim%29 Jury determination of different occasions — Erlinger v. United States, 602 U.S. 821: https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/23pdf/602us1r45_h31i.pdf Guilty-plea, preservation and review rules — Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure 11, 51 and 52: https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-criminal-procedure.pdf Harmless-error and plain-error review — United States v. Olano, 507 U.S. 725, 731–736: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USREPORTS-507/pdf/USREPORTS-507-725.pdf

United States v. Beasley — 10th Cir. (Sep 16, 2026) Oct 09, 2026

Show notes

The Tenth Circuit hears Robert Beasley's appeal arising from a traffic stop. He was a passenger, and police sought to pat him down for weapons. His case went through a trial before a federal judge in Colorado and then sentencing. He now challenges the basis for the attempted pat-down and how an earlier Colorado assault conviction was used to calculate his sentence. A weapons frisk requires reasonable suspicion that the person is armed and dangerous. United States v. Beasley (No. 25-1282) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, argued September 16, 2026. Sources: Official argument audio — Tenth Circuit: https://www.ca10.uscourts.gov/sites/ca10/files/oralarguments/25-1282.mp3 Passenger frisk and prior-assault sentencing issues — Kansas Federal Public Defender, pages 15 and 42: https://ks.fd.org/sites/ks/files/media-library/issues-pending-20260402.pdf Trial setting — District of Colorado calendar, first page: https://www.cod.uscourts.gov/Documents/Judges/Calendars/2024-12-16/all.pdf Sentencing setting — District of Colorado calendar, second page: https://www.cod.uscourts.gov/Documents/Judges/Calendars/2025-07-14/pab.pdf Held trial, sentencing and appeal record — public appellate docket, entries 9–13: https://dockets.justia.com/docket/circuit-courts/ca10/25-1282 Weapons-frisk standard — Arizona v. Johnson, 555 U.S. 323, 327: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USREPORTS-555/pdf/USREPORTS-555-323.pdf

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