Gavel & Gazette

LeGavel & Gazette

Gavel & Gazette explains the legal stories making headlines, in plain English. Supreme Court cases, viral lawsuits, and everyday legal questions, with both sides of the argument and what it all means for you. New episodes every week.

Episodes

  1. 1d ago

    Can You Be Charged for Wiping Your Own Phone at the Border?

    At an airport border stop, officers asked for a phone passcode. What the traveler allegedly typed in did not unlock the phone. It erased it. Now it is a federal case. In this episode, we explain the legal fight in plain English: - What happened at the airport, according to court filings and news reports - What a "duress" password is, and why prosecutors say this case is the first of its kind - What the defense argues about the search, the lack of a warrant, and the right to a lawyer - Why the law on border searches and phone passcodes is unsettled, and why it differs from state to state - What "obstruction of justice" means, and why courts could treat the case differently from a normal phone search - What the court is expected to decide next Important: this is an ongoing case. The defendant has not been convicted, and everything described is an allegation or a legal argument. We stick to documented facts and present both sides. This episode explains the law. It is not legal advice, and it is not a guide to handling a search by officers. If you face a search or an investigation, talk to a licensed attorney. Do you think a person should be allowed to protect private data at the border? Tell us in the comments. Follow the show for new episodes every week, leave a rating to help more people find us, and join the Supporters Club for bonus episodes. Facts are based on public reporting as of the publication date and may change as the case develops. This show is independent and is not affiliated with any agency, company or person mentioned. Thanks for listening to Gavel & Gazette. Legal news, explained. General information only, not legal advice. This episode includes AI-generated content.

    Can You Be Charged for Wiping Your Own Phone at the Border?
  2. 3d ago

    Can a State Execute You Twice? The Tennessee Case With No Clear Answer

    Tennessee tried to carry out an execution, and it did not go as planned. Now a question that courts have rarely faced is on the table: can a state try again? In this episode, we walk through what the public record and credible reporting say, without graphic detail: - What happened on the day of the scheduled execution, and what officials have said since - The governor's response, the independent review, and the halt on other executions this year - What the Eighth Amendment's ban on "cruel and unusual punishment" says, and how courts have treated failed executions in the past - The Alabama cases from 2022 and what they suggest about a second attempt - Why experts say there is no clear law on this, and what could happen next We also remember that this case began with a 1995 killing, and with a family that waited decades for a final answer. Supporters and opponents of the death penalty see this case very differently, and we present both views. What do you think the law should say when an execution fails? Tell us in the comments. Follow the show for new episodes every week, leave a rating to help more people find us, and join the Supporters Club for bonus episodes. Facts are based on public reporting as of the publication date and may change as the case develops. For information only. Not legal advice. This show is independent and is not affiliated with any person, agency or organization mentioned. Thanks for listening to Gavel & Gazette. Legal news, explained. General information only, not legal advice. This episode includes AI-generated content.

    Can a State Execute You Twice? The Tennessee Case With No Clear Answer
  3. 4d ago

    Cornell 7: 12 Hearings, 2 Expulsions, No Criminal Charges So Far

    A 101-page lawsuit has put Cornell University, a fraternity and seven former students at the center of a national debate. How did a case from 2024 end up back in the spotlight? In this episode, we walk through what the public court papers and credible reports say: - What the civil lawsuit filed in September 2026 alleges, and who it names - What Cornell's own disciplinary process did, and what sanctions were reported - Why no criminal charges were filed at first, and why prosecutors are looking at the case again - The difference between a civil lawsuit, a university hearing and a criminal case - What a grand jury does, and what could happen next Important: these are allegations. The people named have not been convicted of any crime, and there are conflicting accounts of what happened. We stick to documented facts, include the other side's position where it is public, and leave conclusions to the courts. If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual violence, support is available. In the US, you can contact RAINN at 1-800-656-4673. Follow the show for new episodes every week, leave a rating, and join the Supporters Club for bonus episodes. Facts are based on public reporting as of the publication date and may change. For information only. Not legal advice. This show is independent and is not affiliated with any person or organization mentioned. Thanks for listening to Gavel & Gazette. Legal news, explained. General information only, not legal advice. This episode includes AI-generated content.

    Cornell 7: 12 Hearings, 2 Expulsions, No Criminal Charges So Far

About

Gavel & Gazette explains the legal stories making headlines, in plain English. Supreme Court cases, viral lawsuits, and everyday legal questions, with both sides of the argument and what it all means for you. New episodes every week.

You Might Also Like