Supreme Court Decision Syllabus (SCOTUS Podcast)

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Samia v. United States (Confrontation Clause) Jun 30, 2023

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In Samia v. United States, the Supreme Court reviewed whether the confrontation clause is violated when a confession one of the co-defendants that implicitly implicates one of the other co-defendants violates the confrontation clause. The Court held that it does not. Read by Jake Leahy.

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Pugin v. Garland (Immigration) Jun 26, 2023

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In Pugin v. Garland, the Court reviewed "whether an offense 'relat[es] to obstruction of justice' under §1101(a)(43)(S) even if the offense does not require that an investigation or proceeding be pending. Dictionary definitions, federal laws, state laws, and the Model Penal Code show that the answer is yes: An offense “relat[es] to obstruction of justice” even if the offense does not require that an investigation or proceeding be pending." Jake Leahy, Host.

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Arizona v. Navajo Nation Jun 26, 2023

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In Arizona v. Navajo Nation, the Supreme Court answers whether the Navajo Nation has reserved water rights pursuant to the agreement that established the reservation for the Navajo people. Held: While the Navajo Nation has certain water and mineral rights, the United States is not required to take affirmative steps to provide for water rights to the Navajo people. Jeff Barnum, Guest Host.

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Yegiazaryan v. Smagin (Jurisdiction / RICO) Jun 23, 2023

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In Yegiazaryan v. Smagin, the Supreme Court reviewed whether the United States district court has jurisdiction over a Civil RICO claim where the plaintiff is a foreign national (who resides in Russia) who has pleaded an injury based on his "his efforts to execute on a California judgment in California against a California resident were foiled by a pattern of racketeering activity that largely occurred in California and was designed to subvert enforcement of the judgment there. " Held: A plaintiff has sufficiently alleged a domestic injury when the circumstances surrounding the injury took place in the United States. Read by Jake Leahy.

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Jones v. Hendrix (Prisoner's Rights) Jun 23, 2023

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In Jones v. Hendrix, the Supreme Court reviewed whether a prisoner can bring a habeas petition after the Supreme Court retroactively overruled Circuit Court precedent that would have allowed him to previously challenge his conviction. Held: The prisoner cannot circumvent the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996, by filing a habeas petition after a change in the law based on the interpretation of a statute.
Read by Jake Leahy.

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United States ex rel. Polansky v. Executive Health Resources, Inc. Jun 20, 2023

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In U.S. ex rel. Polansky v. Executive Health Resources, the Supreme Court reviewed whether, in a qui tam False Claims Act action, the government can move to dismiss the case after not intervening during the so-called "seal" period. Writing for the 8-1 majority, Justice Kagan writes that the government may move to dismiss the False Claims Act action at anytime - so long as the government had intervened at some point, but regardless of the intervention was during the seal period or after. Read by Jake Leahy.

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Lora v. United States (Sentencing) Jun 20, 2023

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In Lora v. United States, the Supreme Court reviewed whether the Section 924(c) prohibition on concurrent sentences applies to sentences arising out of different subsections. Justice Jackson, writing for a unanimous Court, writes that it does not, that crimes from other sections are not subject to the ban on concurrent sentences. Guest Host Jeff Barnum.

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Smith v. United States (Venue and Double Jeopardy) Jun 19, 2023

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In Smith v. United States, the Supreme Court reviewed whether the principle of double-jeopardy prevents a person from being retried after a trial took place in the incorrect venue and the jury was selected from the incorrect district. In a unanimous decisions, Justice Alito writes that the defendant is entitled to set aside the jury's conviction, but that a new trial in a proper venue is appropriate. Read by Jake A. Leahy.

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Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians v. Coughlin (Tribal Bankruptcy) Jun 19, 2023

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In Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians v. Coughlin, the Supreme Court whether Congress abrogated tribal sovereignty in the Bankruptcy Code. Writing for the majority, Justice Kagan rules that Congress unequivocally abrogated tribal sovereign immunity in the Bankruptcy Code. Kagan reasons that "foreign or domestic" governments is a term such as "here or there;" meaning it encompasses all forms of governments anywhere. As the sole dissenter, Justice Gorsuch reasons that the words should construed more narrowly - that if Congress intended to abrogate tribal immunity, it would have done so. Hosted by Jake A. Leahy.

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Haaland v. Brackken (Indian Child Welfare Act) Jun 18, 2023

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In Haaland v. Brackken, the Supreme Court reviewed whether provisions of the Indian Child Welfare Act are constitutional under several portions of the Constitution. Writing for the majority, Justice Barrett writes that the Act, which (in part) prioritizes placing Indian children with Indian (rather than non-Indian families), is within the purview of Congress. Read by Founder RJ Dieken. Also included is an update from RJ Dieken - he was started the podcast and previously hosted it. *Note: This summary uses the term "Indian" for consistency, given that language is used in the decision.

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