Opening Arguments

Dive into the intriguing world of the judicial system as the show scrutinizes Chief Justice John Roberts' integrity amidst a historic leak of internal Supreme Court communications. Discover insights into the Fulton County RICO case against Donald Trump and the ongoing legal battles surrounding copyright issues in political campaigns. Humorous pop culture references, particularly a nod to Star Wars, lighten the heavy discussion of legal complexities, while emphasizing the need for transparency in judicial processes.

Secure your privacy with Surfshark! Enter coupon code OPENING for 4 months EXTRA at https://surfshark.com/OPENING The answer for T3BE39 is coming your way, and we launch our next Bar Prep question with Heather!  Right now, the best place to play (if you aren't a patron...) is at reddit.com/r/openargs! If you’d like to support the show (and lose the ads!), please pledge at patreon.com/law!

Peter Charles Hoffer, Distinguished Research Professor of History at the University of Georgia, dives into the quirky world of Supreme Court footnotes. He shares how footnotes influence legal precedent and public perceptions of court decisions. The discussion humorously touches on the challenges of reading and even ADHD, while also critiquing Justice Alito's historical interpretations. Hoffer argues for the vital role of trained historians in jurisprudence, underscoring how footnotes shape legal narratives and impact landmark rulings.

This discussion dives into bizarre legal questions raised in a recent Presidential debate, including historical wrongful convictions. The chaos surrounding Trump's hush-money case is analyzed, particularly concerning the Supreme Court's role in legalizing Presidential misconduct. There are reflections on the implications of delaying Trump's sentencing until after the election, alongside a unique footnote on an overlooked legal story. The talk mixes political analysis with humorous insights into everyday legal issues.

The answer for T3BE39 is coming your way, and we launch our next Bar Prep question with Heather!  Right now, the best place to play (if you aren't a patron...) is at reddit.com/r/openargs! If you’d like to support the show (and lose the ads!), please pledge at patreon.com/law!

Thomas, a legal expert from Serious Inquiries Only, joins to discuss the dramatic twists in Adnan Syed's murder case. They analyze the recent reinstatement of Syed's conviction and what it means for victims' rights. The conversation delves into the complexities of Brady violations and unresolved evidence, along with the emotional toll on the victims' families. They also ponder the odds of a new trial and how media attention influenced the legal proceedings, reflecting on the intricate dance between justice and public perception.

In this lively discussion, guests Dave Rubin and Tim Pool, both notable right-wing commentators, dissect recent developments in political scandals. They humorously address the indictment of two Russian operatives linked to funding their work. The conversation dives into the absurdity of claims regarding their worth, touching on themes of misinformation and media ethics. Amidst legal updates involving Donald Trump, they explore the implications of foreign influence on American media and politics, highlighting the complexities of modern journalistic integrity.

The answer for T3BE37 is coming your way, and we launch our next Bar Prep question with Heather!  Right now, the best place to play (if you aren't a patron...) is at reddit.com/r/openargs! If you’d like to support the show (and lose the ads!), please pledge at patreon.com/law!

This episode features Alec Baldwin, a prominent actor entangled in legal battles following a fatal incident on his film set, and Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the film's armorer. They discuss the tragic shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and the legal implications that ensued. Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer provides insight into the dismissal of the case, sparking debates on prosecutorial conduct and celebrity accountability. The intricate dynamics of evidence handling and courtroom strategies are explored, raising ethical questions for both legal representation and the film industry.

OA1064 One angry Matt brings us two stories from this week’s news: After taking some time to think about the Supreme Court’s decision that former US presidents can’t be prosecuted for anything involving--or in any way touching on--”official acts,” special counsel Jack Smith has returned to a grand jury to obtain a superseding indictment in his DC prosecution of Donald Trump. How has he retooled the charges relating to the January 6th conspiracy? How much weaker will this case be without the many federal government witnesses who would otherwise have been called, and what happens next? Here’s something everyone should know: AGs in 16 red states are now taking a bold and principled stand against--and this is 100% true--traditional marriage. In a suit filed in a Texas federal court last week, these staunch defenders of our most cherished family values argued that there are at least 550,000 US citizens who should be exiled from not only from their states but from the United States for ten years because they married the wrong person--and that the very existence of these families is causing their states “irreparable harm.” Matt controls his unbounded rage just enough to break down one of the weakest and most inhumane challenges to immigration policy in modern history before calling out 16 people who should never hold public office anywhere again. Superseding indictment in U.S. v. Trump (filed 8/27/24) Implementation of Keeping Families Together (Federal Register, 8/23/24) Complaint brought by 16 Republican AGs to stop the Biden administration’s “Keeping Families Together” program (8/23/24) Donation page for Elad Gross, the only candidate in the MIssouri AG’s race who has not argued to a federal court in Texas that 9,000 of his own voters should be exiled from the United States for 10 years If you’d like to support the show (and lose the ads!), please pledge at patreon.com/law!