

Short Circuit
Institute for Justice
The Supreme Court decides a few dozen cases every year; federal appellate courts decide thousands. So if you love constitutional law, the circuit courts are where it’s at. Join us as we break down some of the week’s most intriguing appellate decisions with a unique brand of insight, wit, and passion for judicial engagement and the rule of law. http://ij.org/short-circuit
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 16, 2023 • 49min
Short Circuit 298 | Everything Causes Cancer
This podcast explores the controversy surrounding cancer warning labels in California and the First Amendment. They discuss the skepticism towards the classification of glyphosate as a carcinogen and the debate on accurate warning labels. The hosts also delve into disclosure requirements and explore whether warning labels qualify as commercial speech. They touch on a case involving suing the right person and the challenges of appealing legal cases. The episode ends with the announcement of a new season of 'Bound By Oath' podcast.

Nov 9, 2023 • 41min
Short Circuit 297 | Working in a Coal Mine with TikTok
Explore the significance of the preamble in a legal case involving black lung disease benefits. Discover the court battle between TikTok and Mashi over the transfer of a case. Analyze the decision-making process of a court case and a puzzling lawsuit in the Western District of Texas.

Nov 2, 2023 • 48min
Short Circuit 296 | Parenting Is Hard
A podcast discussing cases involving First Amendment retaliation, qualified immunity, and parental rights. The hosts explore specific court cases, including one where an officer was denied qualified immunity, the significance of inculpatory evidence in a malicious prosecution case, and the need to protect parental rights and consider the impact on teenagers' lives when their parents are incarcerated.

Oct 26, 2023 • 43min
Short Circuit 295 | Nightmare on Law Street
Spooky Halloween special! IJ attorneys Erica and Bert tell terrifying tales: a small town thwarting a property owner and a lawsuit with a haunting twist at oral argument. They discuss corrupt land use regulations, insidious activity, legal battle between municipalities and streaming companies, importance of jurisdiction in oral arguments, and complexities of jurisdiction for corporations and LLCs.

Oct 19, 2023 • 50min
Short Circuit 294 | A Blast from the Past
Occupational liberty case in Chicago public school, campaign finance expertise, challenging government licensing and campaign finance laws, burdens of campaign finance on small organizations, discussion on panels and judge appointments.

4 snips
Oct 12, 2023 • 57min
Short Circuit 293 | General Law for the Fourth Amendment
In this episode, Professor Dan Epps discusses the Fourth Amendment and its relation to the general law. They argue that courts should base their decisions on whether government officials have broken the same laws as citizens. They explore the ongoing debate on the 'reasonable expectation of privacy' test and how it should be replaced. The conversation also touches upon property rights, common law, and the conception of law as a spontaneous order.

12 snips
Oct 3, 2023 • 40min
Short Circuit 292 | Infallible Online
Ken White, a/k/a Popehat, joins the show to discuss the Fifth Circuit litigation about pressure from the Biden Administration on social media companies. They also delve into a case of judicial immunity and the copyright of 'the law'. Interesting topics include free speech, government influence on social media, and the impact of technical standards on industrial contracting.

Sep 28, 2023 • 1h 15min
Short Circuit 291 | Stanford’s Supreme Court Clinic
Learn about the Stanford Supreme Court Litigation Clinic and its interesting cases. Explore the process of selecting and handling cases at the clinic. Examine the reasons why the government agrees to resolve issues in the US Supreme Court. Dive into the cases from the Court's last term and discuss the impact of a new justice. Delve into a potentially explosive case related to the Second Amendment. Explore a Supreme Court ruling on union strike and analysis of other court cases. Discover engaging speeches and police liability.

Sep 21, 2023 • 53min
Short Circuit 290 | Supreme Court Preview at UNC!
The podcast discusses the upcoming Supreme Court term with an overview of cases and trivia. They delve into Second and Fourth Amendment cases, a challenge against incomplete immigration hearing notices and a trademark case. The speakers also explore the constitutionality of civil forfeiture, challenges to the practice of chalking tires, and the implications of administrative searches.

Sep 15, 2023 • 41min
Short Circuit 289 | Property Rights FTW
Podcast discusses victories for property rights, including a ruling on Detroit's vehicle seizure program and Library of Congress's book-taking program. Legal issues, constitutional violations, and challenges faced by small publishers are explored. Also, appreciation for Chief Judge Shri Vassen's approach to complex property rights case