Legal Docket

Learn what you wish you already knew about our nation’s highest court. Hear how Supreme Court decisions directly affect you and your community. Meet the people behind the cases who are seeking to uphold freedom. Hosts and lawyers Mary Reichard and Jenny Rough take you to the scene, bringing the law to life for everyone––from appellate attorneys to high schoolers.

Mayhem at the Marathon

The Supreme Court considers questions of mitigating evidence and jury bias arising from the trial of one of the Boston Marathon bombers.

10-12
49:17

Bitter Pills

The federal government and two pain management physicians argue about the meaning of the text in the Controlled Substances Act.

10-04
47:29

Overruling Roe - Part II

Abortion proponents and pro-life advocates battle it out at the Supreme Court over Mississippi’s law that protects unborn life after 15 weeks’ gestation.

09-27
49:40

Overruling Roe - Part I

A new Mississippi law protects unborn life after 15 weeks’ gestation. The only abortion provider in the state sued, arguing the law is a direct affront to Supreme Court precedent.

09-20
34:16

Drawing the Line

A famous courtroom artist tells the little-known aspects of his craft, beyond the colorful sketches that you can see.

09-06
23:03

Level Praying Field

A football coach sued his school district when the school prohibited him from offering a prayer on the field after games.

08-30
47:23

Jumping the Gun

A man concerned for his own safety sought a license to carry a gun outside his home. But a New York judge said no to him while other judges said yes to others arguably less qualified.

08-23
49:46

Taco ‘Bout Contracts

A former Taco Bell employee sued her employer for unpaid wages. She wants to keep her battle in court, but the employer wants to force arbitration.

08-16
36:41

Death Row Prayer

A man on death row wants his pastor with him in the execution chamber, but he had to sue the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to get it.

08-09
44:52

Season 3: Trailer

Abortion, guns, religion—our third season covers it all. Get personal with a Supreme Court artist. Understand how the latest decisions from our nation's highest court shape our immediate futures.

08-02
02:47

Legal Docket - United States v. Arthrex: S2.E10

Patent law and administrative law intersect in this case that raises a question about the Appointments Clause of the U.S. Constitution.

10-12
36:00

Legal Docket - Supreme Court Preview: S2.E9

The new 2021-2022 term of the US Supreme Court is upon us. Today, you’ll hear previews of several cases the justices will decide this term. Those include decisions about abortion, free speech, unequal treatment of religious schools, second amendment rights, and more.

10-05
31:51

Legal Docket - Americans for Prosperity v Bonta : S2.E8

When the attorney general of California sought confidential information about charitable donors, charities on the left and the right fought back.

09-28
34:10

Legal Docket: Nestlé v Doe - S2.E7

Former child slaves on West African cocoa farms sue U.S. chocolate companies. The case examines whether the Alien Tort Statute covers those claims.

09-21
41:21

Legal Docket: Mahanoy Area School District v Levy - S2.E6

A cheerleader’s vulgar post on social media lands her in trouble with the school, but judicial precedent from the 1960s and the First Amendment protects her right to free speech

09-14
37:59

Legal Docket: Behind the Scenes - Clerks and Marshal's Aides - S2.E5

Find out what it's like to work as a law clerk for a Supreme Court justice. In this episode, hosts Mary Reichard and Jenny Rough talk with five law clerks, plus a Marshal's aide, for an inside peek at what goes on when the court is not in session.

09-07
36:11

Legal Docket: US v Cooley - S2.E4

Indian tribes are considered a nation within a nation. U.S. v Cooley looks at how much authority a tribe's law enforcement has to investigate crimes by non-Indians on its reservation.

08-31
44:32

Legal Docket: Fulton v Philadelphia - S2.E3

Religious Liberty and emerging LGBT rights clash when the city of Philadelphia excludes Catholic Social Services from placing children with foster families.

08-25
44:21

Legal Docket: Jones v Mississippi - S2.E2

Hosts Jenny Rough and Mary Reichard analyze an 8th Amendment case, cruel and unusual punishment. In 2005, Brett Jones killed his grandfather. He was 15. The Supreme Court looks at what is required before a juvenile can receive a life without parole sentence.

08-17
41:48

Legal Docket: Brownback v King - S2.E1

Hosts Mary Reichard and Jenny Rough analyze a case of simple facts and complicated law. In 2014, college student James King is beaten up by FBI agents who had the wrong guy. Now in 2021, he still hasn’t received recompense for his damages after going all the way to the US Supreme Court.

08-10
41:00

Ruth P Hammer

This episode is full of legal information for the uninitiated, with strong emotional overtones, and a challenge to think through the issues. Good job, World Magazine, for this great presentation!

08-10 Reply

Steve Johnson

As an educator I find this case to be interesting and quite relevant

08-03 Reply

Nancy Herrera

Another of my favorite podcasts from WORLD Radio!

03-09 Reply

Paul Jackson

This is great Podcast. You will want to hear every episode

08-29 Reply

J W

The head of the judicial system, which is usually shrouded in legalistic language, is brought into sharp focus. An especially important focus at this point in history, when the supreme court has attained a level of political power it was never meant to have. I wish this podcast would spark a new genre of layman-level podcasts that illuminate the judicial workings of other countries as well. Informative. Entertaining. Important. I will be awaiting the 2nd season.

09-30 Reply

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