Cato Podcast One and a Half Cheers for SCOTUS
24 snips
Jul 31, 2025 The discussion centers on the Supreme Court's recent term and its impact on criminal law. Highlights include unanimous rulings on police use of force and accountability for federal misconduct. There’s frustration over the Court’s refusal to tackle important issues like the petty offense doctrine and felony gun rights. The hosts shine a light on the troubling reliance on plea bargains, emphasizing the erosion of defendants' rights. They conclude with a celebration of successful presidential pardons that underscore the pursuit of justice amidst systemic failures.
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Totality of Use-of-Force Matters
- The Supreme Court unanimously ruled that courts must consider the totality of circumstances in police use-of-force cases, not just the moment of threat.
- This corrects the flawed 'moment of threat doctrine' that ignored key context leading to deadly force use.
Family Terrorized by FBI Raid
- FBI agents detonated explosives and terrorized an innocent family in a botched raid that involved alleged abuses.
- The Supreme Court unanimously rejected the government's attempt to dismiss federal tort claims in Martin v. United States.
Jury Role in Prisoner Claims
- Prisoners have the constitutional right to a jury trial on disputed administrative exhaustion questions when intertwined with case merits.
- This ruling prevents judges who see thousands of prisoner lawsuits from unilaterally dismissing claims without a jury's assessment.
