Good Tuesday morning everyone!

Start the coffee, it’s a technical day at the Supreme Court, if you’re someone who is a stickler for appellate procedures and *waivers*, this will be your day to enjoy.

- Hunter v United States is a case involving a criminal defendant challenging the limitations to the exceptions on appeal waivers, arguing that the fifth circuit erred by suggesting there were only two exceptions to the appeal waivers, which resulted in the dismissal of his appeal in said circuit.

If this case interests you, here’s a link to listen to the oral arguments when they begin: https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/live.aspx

It’s a Wednesday morning, which means it’s the last day of argument sitting for the February session.

First the justices will convene at 10amET to deliver one or more opinions in argued cases this term, some cases still pending from October. We will be here for it all.

Following that, the justices will hear Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II, LLC., a case about common-law claims.

Oral arguments will begin following opinion announcements, here’s a link to listen live: https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/live.aspx

Case: Urias-Orellana v. Bondi.

Author of Opinion: Justice Jackson

Joined by: Unanimous Court.

Dissented:

Holding: The INA requires application of the substantial-evidence standard to the agency’s determination whether a given set of undisputed facts rises to the level of persecution under §1101(a)(42)(A).

Link to Opinion: https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/25pdf/24-777_9ol1.pdf

Case: Galette v. New Jersey Transit Corporation

Author of Opinion: Justice Sotomayor

Joined by: Unanimous Court.

Dissented:

Holding: NJ Transit Corporation is not an arm of New Jersey and thus is not entitled to share in New Jersey’s interstate sovereign immunity.

Link to Opinion: https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/25pdf/24-1021_p860.pdf

That’s all for today, folks.

JUST IN - Supreme Court will announce one or more opinions in argued cases on Friday March 20, at 10amET.

Apologies for the lack of coverage of today’s opinion day at the Supreme Court. We had a brief internet outage that affected our ability to access the Court website as well as Telegram.

Luckily, only one case was handed down today, Oliver v. City of Brandon, which was delivered by Justice Kagan.

Here is a link to the opinion for those interested: https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/25pdf/24-993_10n2.pdf

Spring already? Of course it is, it’s gorgeous outside!

On this gorgeous day, we turn our attention to First Avenue in D. C. where nine justices will hear an important election related case.

The case is called Watson v. RNC, and it’s a battle between state and federal law when it comes to when the deadline is for a ballot to be cast and received by an election official. Federal law says same day as the federally mandated Election Day, Mississippi, like some other states, argue for a few days after.

Arguments for the case begin at 10amET, here’s a link to the Courts website to listen live - https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/live.aspx

Happy Tuesday Everyone!

The justices will convene to hear two cases for oral argument this morning! Simple day today.

- Keathley v. Buddy Ayers Construction, Inc.

- Noem, Sec. of Homeland v. Al Otro Lado.

Arguments for the first case begin at 10amET, here is link to listen live - https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/live.aspx

Happy Opinion Day!

It’s another opinion day at the Supreme Court, assuming all things cooperate, we will be here at 10amET to send over the opinion or opinions when they are released.

After that, the justices will sit for one oral argument this morning -

Flowers Foods, Inc. v. Brock

When the arguments begin after opinion announcements, here is a link to listen live - https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/live.aspx

First opinion of the day -

Case: Rico v United States

Author of Opinion: Justice Gorsuch

Joined by: Chief Justice Roberts, Justices Thomas, Sotomayor, Kagan, Kavanaugh, Barrett and Jackson.

Dissented: Justice Alito.

Holding: The Sentencing Reform Act does not authorize a rule automatically extending a defendant’s term of supervised release when the defendant absconds.

Link to Opinion: https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/25pdf/24-1056_qn12.pdf

Second and final opinion of the day -

Case: Cox Communications Inc. v. Sony Music Entertainment.

Author of Opinion: Justice Thomas

Joined by: Chief Justice Roberts, Justices Alito, Kagan, Gorsuch, Kavanaugh, and Barrett. Justice Sotomayor filed concurring in the judgment, in which Justice Jackson joined.

Dissented: none.

Holding: The provider of a service is contributorily liable for a user’s infringement only if it intended that the provided service be used for infringement, which can be shown only if the party induced the infringement or the provided service is tailored to that infringement; Cox neither induced its users’ infringement nor provided a service tailored to infringement; accordingly, Cox is not contributorily liable for the infringement of Sony’s copyrights.

Link to Opinion: https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/25pdf/24-171_bq7d.pdf

That’s all for today folks.

JUST IN - Supreme Court to issue opinion(s) on Tuesday March 31, at 10amET.

Good Tuesday Morning Everyone!

First the justices will begin at 10amET handing down one or more opinions in argued cases so far this term.

Following that, the justices will sit to hear Pitchford v. Cain for oral arguments this morning.

Arguments will begin shortly after opinion announcements, here is a link to listen live when they occur: https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/live.aspx

Here is the first and only case today!

Case: Chiles v. Salazar

Author of Opinion: Justice Gorsuch

Joined by: Chief Justice Roberts, Justices Thomas, Alito, Sotomayor, Kagan, Kavanaugh, and Barrett

Dissented: Justice Jackson

Holding: Colorado’s law banning conversion therapy, as applied to Ms. Chiles’s talk therapy, regulates speech based on viewpoint, and the lower courts erred by failing to apply sufficiently rigorous First Amendment scrutiny.

Link to Opinion: https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/25pdf/24-539_fd9g.pdf

That’s all for today folks.

The Supreme Court will reportedly have a special visitor tomorrow for oral arguments. We’ll see for what’s expected to be a major day at the Court.

Happy Wednesday Everyone!

It’s a big day at the Supreme Court. Arguably *no pun intended* the most significant case of the 2025-2026 term. The justices will sit to hear Trump v. Barbara, a case that deals with the birthright citizenship clause of the 14th amendment. The justices will decide whether the executive order the Trump administration issued during the first week of his term violates the 14th amendment on its face.

President Trump is also expected to attend oral arguments this morning. If that happens, it would make him the first President to ever attend a Supreme Court argument. Given that fact, for those attending publicly, it’s unclear what the security measures will look like.

If you’re someone who has a reserved ticket, please make sure to arrive early in order to accommodate potential security enhancements that may be implemented.

Arguments begin at 10amET, if you wish to listen live, multiple networks will cover the hearing, otherwise you can use the following link: https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/live.aspx

There is currently considerable speculation regarding potential retirements from the Supreme Court during this current term. We remain committed to providing the most up-to-date information concerning any developments related to cases or Justices. At present, there is no indication that any of the nine Justices on the bench intend to retire. However, this situation may change, particularly within the next two months as the term concludes for the summer. Should any developments occur, please be assured that SCOTUS Focus will provide comprehensive coverage of it all.

JUST IN - Supreme Court will issue one or more opinions in argued cases on Friday April 17, at 10amET.