Oral Arguments, with Context

Oral Arguments, with Context
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Real court arguments, crisp audio, with context. Court recordings can be difficult to follow, and many suffer from poor audio quality. This podcast enhances the audio, provides a brief introduction to each case, and explains legal concepts that may be unfamiliar to some listeners. We hope these enhancements make oral argument recordings easier to understand, more accessible, and more enjoyable to listen to. Recordings come from the courts' own public releases; Supreme Court timing is derived locally from the Court's official transcript and audio.

  1. 27m ago

    United States of America v. Austin — 2d Cir. (argued September 2, 2026)

    The Second Circuit hears Eugene Austin's appeal from three conspiracy convictions involving wire fraud, money laundering, and stolen property. The charges arose from an investment-fraud scheme that caused more than twelve million dollars in losses. The district court sentenced Austin to eighteen years. He challenges evidence that he did not report income from the scheme and his sentence. Substantive reasonableness asks whether a sentence falls outside the broad range the trial judge could permissibly choose. Peter J. Tomao of the Law Office of Peter J. Tomao represents Austin. He will argue that the tax evidence was irrelevant and unfairly prejudicial, and that the sentencing judge relied on improper considerations and imposed an excessive sentence. United States of America v. Austin (No. 25-1093) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, argued September 2, 2026. Sources: Argument audio — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit (public domain, 17 U.S.C. § 105): https://ww3.ca2.uscourts.gov/audio/25-1093.mp3 Argument record — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit: https://ww3.ca2.uscourts.gov/oral_arguments.html Appellate docket — PACER court record via Docket Alarm: https://www.docketalarm.com/cases/US_Court_of_Appeals_Second_Circuit/25-1093/United_States_of_America_v._Austin/ Criminal judgment — U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York: https://www.docketalarm.com/cases/New_York_Southern_District_Court/1--23-cr-00508/USA_v._Austin/docs/119.pdf?download=true Conviction record — U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/long-island-man-convicted-trial-participating-multimillion-dollar-cryptocurrency Sentencing record — U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/long-island-man-sentenced-18-years-prison-following-conviction-trial-defrauding Independent sentencing report — Decrypt: https://decrypt.co/316102/long-island-man-sentenced-to-18-years-for-12m-father-and-son-crypto-fraud Contemporaneous trial report — Inner City Press: https://www.innercitypress.com/sdny135hcastelaustinicp092324.html Peter J. Tomao profile — Law Office of Peter J. Tomao: https://www.tomaolaw.com/attorney-profile/ Peter J. Tomao listing — Federal Bar Council: https://www.federalbarcouncil.org/committees/central-islip-u-s-courthouse-committee/ Gall v. United States — GovInfo: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USREPORTS-552/pdf/USREPORTS-552-38.pdf United States v. Wynn — GovInfo: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-ca2-22-02875/pdf/USCOURTS-ca2-22-02875-0.pdf Decision search — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit: https://ww3.ca2.uscourts.gov/decisions.html

  2. 1h ago

    McClanahan v. Noel — 5th Cir. (argued September 2, 2026)

    The Fifth Circuit reviews a First Amendment judgment in McClanahan versus Noel, arising from a 2017 Baton Rouge Metropolitan Council meeting. The district court held that removing Michael McClanahan and Eugene Collins during public comment about Alton Sterling’s killing violated their rights, but rejected Gary Chambers’s claim. Celia Cangelosi represents appellant Brandon Noel, the current mayor pro tempore. She will argue that dismissing the City-Parish with prejudice ended the official-capacity case and that former council chair Scott Wilson enforced council rules rather than made city policy. McClanahan v. Noel (No. 25-30614) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, argued September 2, 2026. Sources: Argument audio — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit (public domain, 17 U.S.C. § 105): https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/OralArgRecordings/25/25-30614_9-2-2026.mp3 Argument record — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit: https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/oral-argument-recordings/results?docket=25-30614 Argument calendar — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit: https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/court-calendars/sitting?d=2026-09-02 District-court findings and conclusions — GovInfo: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-lamd-3_17-cv-01720/pdf/USCOURTS-lamd-3_17-cv-01720-2.pdf District-court jurisdiction ruling — GovInfo: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-lamd-3_17-cv-01720/pdf/USCOURTS-lamd-3_17-cv-01720-1.pdf Earlier jurisdiction opinion — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit: https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/opinions/unpub/21/21-30106.0.pdf Brandon Noel profile — City of Baton Rouge and Parish of East Baton Rouge: https://www.brla.gov/581/District-1---Mayor-Pro-Tempore-Brandon-N District-court judgment report — WAFB: https://www.wafb.com/2025/09/22/i-team-federal-judge-rules-ebr-metro-council-violated-citizens-rights/ District-court judgment report — WBRZ: https://www.wbrz.com/news/federal-judge-rules-ebr-metro-council-violated-rights-of-alton-sterling-protestors-at-2017-meeting William Brock Most counsel listing — Supreme Court of the United States: https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/23-513.html Opinion search — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit: https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/opinions/results?docket=25-30614

  3. 1h ago

    Smith v. Roswell Park Cancer Institute Corporation — 2d Cir. (argued September 2, 2026)

    The Second Circuit hears Nicole Smith's appeal in her dispute with Roswell Park over a medical exemption from a COVID-19 vaccination requirement. Her doctor signed the request, but the form listed a medical condition without explaining why vaccination would harm her health. The question is whether Smith alleged enough for her disability-accommodation case to move forward. Smith v. Roswell Park Cancer Institute Corporation (No. 25-1978) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, argued September 2, 2026. Sources: Argument audio — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit (public domain, 17 U.S.C. § 105): https://ww3.ca2.uscourts.gov/audio/25-1978.mp3 Argument record — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit: https://ww3.ca2.uscourts.gov/oral_arguments.html Appellate docket — Justia: https://dockets.justia.com/docket/circuit-courts/ca2/25-1978 Related state-court opinion — New York State Unified Court System: https://decisions.courts.state.ny.us/ad3/Decisions/2024/CV-23-0820.pdf Related state-court calendar — New York State Unified Court System: https://www.nycourts.gov/ad3/decisions/calendar/2024/05302024.shtml Former 10 N.Y.C.R.R. § 2.61 — New York State Department of Health: https://regs.health.ny.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/emergency_regulations/Prevention%20of%20COVID-19%20Transmission%20by%20Covered%20Entities.pdf Reasonable-accommodation guidance — EEOC: https://www.eeoc.gov/laws/guidance/enforcement-guidance-reasonable-accommodation-and-undue-hardship-under-ada ADA Title I interpretive guidance — eCFR: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/subtitle-B/chapter-XIV/part-1630/appendix-Appendix%20to%20Part%201630 Harvey P. Sanders listing — U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York: https://www.nywd.uscourts.gov/sites/nywd/files/Buffalo%20Mediator%20List%206.24.25.pdf Opinion search — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit: https://ww3.ca2.uscourts.gov/decisions.html

  4. 2h ago

    Sealed Petitioner v. Sealed Respondent — 5th Cir. (argued September 1, 2026)

    The Fifth Circuit hears a sealed challenge to the SEC's denial of a whistleblower award. The petitioner published an article concerning alleged misconduct, then filed Form TCR with the Commission. The dispute is whether the original information, or that later submission, had to lead to the successful enforcement action. Sealed Petitioner v. Sealed Respondent (No. 25-60572) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, argued September 1, 2026. Sources: Argument audio — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit (public domain, 17 U.S.C. § 105): https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/OralArgRecordings/25/25-60572_09-01-2026.mp3 Argument record — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit: https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/oral-argument-recordings/results?docket=25-60572 Argument calendar — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit: https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/court-calendars/sitting?d=2026-09-01 Redacted whistleblower award order — Securities and Exchange Commission: https://www.sec.gov/files/rules/other/2025/34-104137.pdf Amicus brief — Government Accountability Project and others: https://business.cch.com/srd/Amicus-for-5th-Cir-2026_-Final-Brief032726.pdf 15 U.S.C. § 78u-6 — U.S. House Office of the Law Revision Counsel: https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title15-section78u-6&num=0&edition=prelim 17 C.F.R. § 240.21F-4 — GovInfo: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2025-title17-vol4/pdf/CFR-2025-title17-vol4-sec240-21F-4.pdf J. Michael Connolly — Consovoy McCarthy: https://consovoymccarthy.com/team-member/j-michael-connolly/ Counsel listing — Supreme Court of the United States: https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/24-410.html Opinion search — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit: https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/opinions/results?docket=25-60572

  5. 4h ago

    Dyer v. New Orleans City — 5th Cir. (argued September 1, 2026)

    The Fifth Circuit hears Dyer v. New Orleans City. New Orleans fire captain Varrick Dyer alleges race discrimination and retaliation. The district court dismissed his retaliation and hostile-work-environment claims, then entered summary judgment for the City on claims involving discipline and a special-operations assignment. The appeal asks whether disputed facts should have gone to a jury. Dyer v. New Orleans City (No. 26-30012) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, argued September 1, 2026. Sources: Argument audio — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit (public domain, 17 U.S.C. § 105): https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/OralArgRecordings/26/26-30012_9-1-2026.mp3 Argument record — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit: https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/oral-argument-recordings/results?docket=26-30012 Argument calendar — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit: https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/court-calendars/sitting?d=2026-09-01 Opinion search — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit: https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/opinions/results?docket=26-30012 Order on motion to dismiss — GovInfo: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-laed-2_24-cv-01702/pdf/USCOURTS-laed-2_24-cv-01702-0.pdf Order on leave to amend — GovInfo: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-laed-2_24-cv-01702/pdf/USCOURTS-laed-2_24-cv-01702-1.pdf Order on discipline claim — GovInfo: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-laed-2_24-cv-01702/pdf/USCOURTS-laed-2_24-cv-01702-2.pdf Final summary-judgment order — GovInfo: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-laed-2_24-cv-01702/pdf/USCOURTS-laed-2_24-cv-01702-3.pdf DeCorte v. Jordan — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit: https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/opinions/pub/05/05-31042-CV0.wpd.pdf Reeves v. Sanderson Plumbing Products — U.S. Reports: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USREPORTS-530/pdf/USREPORTS-530-133.pdf

  6. 5h ago

    Latu v. Blanche — 9th Cir. (argued August 31, 2026)

    The Ninth Circuit hears Latu versus Blanche, an immigration case involving former Section 212(c). Though repealed, that provision can still offer discretionary relief from removal in some older cases. The argument asks whether the agency's denial involved a legal or due-process error the court may review, rather than a request to reweigh the case. Latu v. Blanche (No. 21-369) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, argued August 31, 2026. Sources: Argument audio — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (public domain, 17 U.S.C. § 105): https://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/media/2026/08/31/21-369.mp3 Argument page — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit: https://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/cases/streams-videos/archive?case=21-369&hearingDate=2026-08-31 Argument calendar — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit: https://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/cases/calendar/calendar-week/?date=2026-08-31&loc=SF Former Section 212(c) guidance — U.S. Department of Justice: https://www.justice.gov/eoir/soriano-final-rule-2001 Immigration-law outline — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit: https://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/uploads/immigration/immig_west/B.%20Relief%20from%20Removal.htm 8 U.S.C. § 1227 — U.S. House Office of the Law Revision Counsel: https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?edition=prelim&num=0&req=granuleid%3AUSC-prelim-title8-section1227 8 U.S.C. § 1252 — U.S. House Office of the Law Revision Counsel: https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title8-section1252&num=0&edition=prelim Matter of Khan — Board of Immigration Appeals: https://www.justice.gov/eoir/media/1376251/dl?inline=

  7. 6h ago

    NetChoice v. Murrill — 5th Cir. (argued September 1, 2026)

    The Fifth Circuit considers Louisiana's appeal from an injunction barring enforcement of challenged parts of Act 456 against named NetChoice members. The law requires covered social-media services to verify users' ages, obtain parental consent for minors, and limit certain messaging, advertising, and data practices. The appeal concerns associational standing, the First Amendment, and whether the law's coverage is unconstitutionally vague. NetChoice v. Murrill (No. 26-30016) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, argued September 1, 2026. Sources: Argument audio — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit (public domain, 17 U.S.C. § 105): https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/OralArgRecordings/26/26-30016_09-01-2026.mp3 Argument record — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit: https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/oral-argument-recordings/results?docket=26-30016 Argument calendar — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit: https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/court-calendars/sitting?d=2026-09-01 Opinion search — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit: https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/opinions/results?docket=26-30016&group=flat District-court ruling and order — GovInfo: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-lamd-3_25-cv-00231/pdf/USCOURTS-lamd-3_25-cv-00231-1.pdf Brief of defendants-appellants: https://netchoice.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/LA-Opening-Brief_Fifth-Cir.pdf Brief of plaintiff-appellee: https://netchoice.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/NetChoice-Opposition-Brief_Louisiana.pdf Louisiana Act 456 — Louisiana State Legislature: https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/ViewDocument.aspx?d=1333323 Hunt v. Washington State Apple Advertising Commission — U.S. Reports: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USREPORTS-432/pdf/USREPORTS-432-333.pdf Steven P. Lehotsky — Lehotsky Keller Cohn: https://lehotskycohn.com/steve-lehotsky-bio

  8. 7h ago

    Vargas Rincon, et al. v. Blanche — 9th Cir. (argued August 31, 2026)

    The Ninth Circuit hears the Vargas Rincon immigration petition. Under federal asylum law, harm by private actors can qualify when the home government is unable or unwilling to control them. On review, agency factual findings remain in place unless the record compels a different result. Vargas Rincon, et al. v. Blanche (No. 25-3332) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, argued August 31, 2026. Sources: Argument audio — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (public domain, 17 U.S.C. § 105): https://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/media/2026/08/31/25-3332.mp3 Argument page — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit: https://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/cases/streams-videos/archive?case=25-3332&hearingDate=2026-08-31 Asylum guidance — U.S. Department of Justice: https://www.justice.gov/eoir/asylum-withholding-removal-convention-against-torture Immigration-law outline — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit: https://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/uploads/immigration/immig_west/B.%20Relief%20from%20Removal.htm 8 U.S.C. § 1252 — U.S. House Office of the Law Revision Counsel: https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title8-section1252&num=0&edition=prelim Hussain v. Rosen — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit: https://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/opinions/2021/01/11/18-70780.pdf

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Real court arguments, crisp audio, with context. Court recordings can be difficult to follow, and many suffer from poor audio quality. This podcast enhances the audio, provides a brief introduction to each case, and explains legal concepts that may be unfamiliar to some listeners. We hope these enhancements make oral argument recordings easier to understand, more accessible, and more enjoyable to listen to. Recordings come from the courts' own public releases; Supreme Court timing is derived locally from the Court's official transcript and audio.

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