The Citizen's Guide to the Supreme Court

Latest Episodes:

GUEST EP: Native American Law and Water Rights Feb 04, 2018

Show notes

Nazim's still on vaca, so Brett is joined by special guest Penni, who comes on to share background in Native American law in the United States, cover a specific case concerning tribal immunity (Upper Skagit Indian Tribe v. Lungren), and try to breeze through two water rights cases (Texas v. New Mexico and Colorado & Florida v. Georgia). Law starts at (12:36).

GUEST EP: Voter Disenfranchisement and Gerrymandering Jan 28, 2018

Show notes

With Nazim on vacation, special guest Lindsey (@DCInbox) joins Brett to discuss cases that deal with voter disenfranchisement (Husted v. A. Phillip Randolph Institute) and gerrymandering (Abbott v. Perez). Law starts at (13:20) and Lindsey makes midterm predictions at the end.

Is This Ineffective Assistance of Counsel? (Part III) Jan 21, 2018

Show notes

This week's episode is all about mistakes, as lawyers and podcasters. Brett and Nazim center this episode around McCoy v. Louisiana, which asks whether or not an attorney who concedes guilt during a First Degree Murder trial has violated his client's Constitutional right to an attorney. This episode covers the standard for ineffective assistance of counsel, goes through a few examples, and even covers a short background on Louisiana law, but first and foremost, Brett and Nazim discuss probably the greatest listener comment we've received. Law starts at (05:56).

Supreme Court Sesame Street Jan 14, 2018

Show notes

"V" is the letter of the day today, as we are covering VOCABULARY this week on the Citizen's Guide to the Supreme Court. Brett and Nazim cover three current cases which debate the meanings of statutory text, including Murphy v. Smith (how much is 25%?), Digital Realty Trust v. Somers (what is a whistle blower?), and SAS Institute v. Matal (what is a final written decision?). Law starts at (04:25).

Just Get a Damn Warrant Jan 07, 2018

Show notes

This week's episode covers the Fourth Amendment, and specifically why police officers should err on the side of getting a a warrant to avoid cases being taken to the Supreme Court. Brett and Nazim cover Collins v. Virgnia and Byrd v. U.S. (starting at 19:20), but not before discussing the Constitutionality of anti-homeless legislation (starting at 5:47) and why the Benjamin Button movie sucks (that's from the jump, homie).

WWJND (What Would Judge Neil Do)? Dec 31, 2017

Show notes

We're going back in time a bit this week to cover the cases of Sessions v. Dimaya and Jennings v. Rodriguez to discuss how Judge Neil's originalist sensibilities will impact two cases from last term that deal with immigration removal statutes. Additionally, Brett laments the loss of Carson Wentz and predicts hell fire and brimstone if the Eagles win the Super Bowl. Law starts at (04:42).

Holiday Mailbag Episode Dec 22, 2017

Show notes

In this holiday mailbag episode, Brett and Nazim debate the Establishment Clause, answer listener questions, and talk about why eggnog is gross. Happy holidays, and we will see you next Sunday.

The Gang Solves the Masterpiece Cakes Crisis Dec 17, 2017

Show notes

This week's episode covers Masterpiece Cake Shop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission and specifically the oral arguments that took place a week ago and terrified everyone of the outcome. Brett and Nazim take the approach of trying to find a compromise for this case that will (1) not invalidate all discrimination laws, and (2) not result in people ordering offensive cakes to prove a point. It's a delicate balance that hopefully the Court will handle more efficiently. Case in point, law starts at (03:04).

Alien v. Predator, Inc. Dec 10, 2017

Show notes

This week's episode covers the Alien Tort Statute and the current case of Jesner v. Arab Bank, which covers whether a corporations can be liable under said Alien Tort Statute. Brett and Nazim also relish their Web 100 nomination by the ABA and discuss the appropriate amount of relishing one should do when reading about attorneys getting disciplined. Law starts at (05:50).

Guilty Pleas and Thank Yous Dec 03, 2017

Show notes

This week's episode covers guilty pleas, from the practical (why the ubiquity of guilty pleas makes sense but mostly furthers the unfairness of the criminal justice system), to the theoretical (the current case of Class v. U.S., which broadly covers whether a guilty plea waives your right to challenge the Constitutionality of the underlying charge). Law starts at (03:50).

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