The Citizen's Guide to the Supreme Court

Latest Episodes:

Ranking Non-Bill of Rights Amendments, Part 1 Aug 07, 2016

Show notes

The non-Bill of Rights Amendments, 11 through 27, cover a host of different topics including government regulation, voting, and equality; and this week's episode covers part one of our efforts to rank these amendments from the bottom up. The goal is to cover how the Constitution is amended, and whether its possible for an amendment to be passed in the upcoming future. This episode covers rankings 17-9, which include amendments that appear non-consequential, amendments that seem like objectively bad ideas, and amendments that prohibit alcohol consumption. Law starts at (01:50).

Season 2 Finale: Cases Not Selected and Term Summary Jul 31, 2016

Show notes

Planes are going down over ABQ, as this is the finale of Season 2 of the Citizen's Guide to the Supreme Court. Much like last year, Brett and Nazim make podcast announcements, cover cases were cert. was denied, wrap up the historical value of this term, and laugh at their own jokes. Unlike last year, we're still coming back next week with more podcasts. Podcast announcement starts at (6:39) and law starts at (13:59).

SCOTUS Results Lightning Round Jul 24, 2016

Show notes

This week's episode wraps up the 2015/2016 term, where Brett and Nazim almost come to blows over Spokeo v. Robbins, guess Thomas' complaints with Green v. Brennan, share a laugh over Nichols v. US, vet out the appellate process over Welch v. US, and ruminate about the government over McDonnell v. U.S. Law starts at (6:22).

Affirmative Action and Strict Scrutiny Jul 17, 2016

Show notes

This week's episode covers Fisher v. University of Texas, which held that UOT's affirmative action program was in compliance with the Constitution and the Equal Protection clause. Brett and Nazim vet out how and why this program was able to pass the seemingly high barrier of strict scrutiny and what that says for future programs implementing similar procedures. Law starts (08:21), following this episode's rendition of "This Week in Ravioli Talk".

Results in Beylund and Voisine Jul 10, 2016

Show notes

This week's episode first covers Beylund v. North Dakota and Voisine v. U.S., two cases that deal with the viability of criminal statutes aimed at stopping drunk driving and preventing firearm possession by domestic violence offenders. Law starts at (03:26) but there is one tangent on summer movies and the other featuring a controversial take on hamburgers. It's a serious episode, so you can let your hair down a little.

What's Next After U.S. v. Texas Jul 06, 2016

Show notes

In this mini-episode, Brett and Nazim spend 30 minutes breaking down a one-line order from the Supreme Court in the immigration case of U.S. v. Texas, including why there is no decision, what will/should happen next now that the Executive Order has been quashed by the 5th Circuit, and whether this decision rests on solid Constitutional grounds or is just revenge for Obamacare. Law starts (0:37).

The State of Abortion after Whole Women's Health Jul 03, 2016

Show notes

This week's episode takes a deep dive into Whole Women's Health v. Hellerstadt, the case that invalidated a Texas law that set impossibly high medical standards on abortion clinics. Brett and Nazim discuss how/whether this case changed the undue burden standard, and in light of this decision, where a women's right to choose currently sits in regard to all of our Constitutional rights. The Law starts at (9:00), but the intro covers the results of the Fantasy League and introduces a new game involving the multi-state bar exam.

Results in Strieff, Taylor, and Kirtsaeng Jun 26, 2016

Show notes

This week's episode covers three big cases that were issued in the last week. Utah v. Strieff seemingly erodes the 4th amendment into a nub, U.S. v. Taylor seemingly destroys federalism, and Kirtsaeng v. Wiley & Sons seemingly opens the gates for frivolous copyright claims. You; however, luckily have an episode that addresses these concerns in order, for purposes of determining whether or not the sky is truly falling. Law starts at (3:56).

Epilogue to Sunday's Episode Jun 23, 2016

Show notes

Brett and Nazim had some extra time this week, so this episode serves as a supplement to last Sunday's episode on non-SCOTUS decisions, which include the Connecticut assault rifle ban, Justice Thomas' possible retirement, and the Net Neutrality decision in D.C. circuit court. Law starts at (4:06).

The Citizen's Guide to Lower Court Decisions Jun 19, 2016

Show notes

It's been a boring week in the Supreme Court, so Brett and Nazim cover popular legal cases in lower Federal and State Courts, including the 9th Circuit concealed weapon decision, the Stanford Swimmer Judge controversy, the Google/Oracle slugfest, and a 9-1-1 Operator liability decision out of the 10th Circuit. The law starts at (7:56), but skipping that far passes our new favorite game "How Many Current Supreme Court Justices Have Seen One Episode of Game of Thrones"?

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