When can law enforcement choose to not enforce the law? Josh and Kristen begin this week debating that essential question in light of Attorney General Josh Kaul declaring he would not enforce Wisconsin abortion laws if Roe is overturned, then Brian Anderson illustrates the concept of "self determination" done right and wrong from rule of law hotspots around the world, they clean up year-end Congressional leftovers, and finally feel better about longer healthier lives. Make the most of every moment you have in this world!

NOTE: Josh & Kristen will be taking a holiday hiatus and look forward to returning with fresh episodes next year. Happy Merry Everything to Everyone!

There's no such thing as too much time spent focused on rule of law questions! That's why Josh and Kristen begin this week by explaining the consumer product liability case that has been dominating Kristen's life for a decade, then they welcome back Professor Chad Oldfather to unpack some of the questions and answers from last week's oral arguments in the Dobbs abortion case at the U.S. Supreme Court, they handle piping hot leftovers on the Texas abortion law and the President's Supreme Court Commission, and finally they feel better about bits of heaven falling through the night sky. Sometimes you need to be in a dark place to see the wonders of the universe!

Sometimes seeing the big picture requires taking a big step back. With Kristen Scheuerman busy preparing for a major trial this week, Josh Dukelow welcomes criminal defense attorney Jeff Kippa as his co-host, and they start with a big picture look at problems in the criminal justice system. Then Winnebago County Judge LaKeisha Haase joins the show to discuss the pros and cons of cameras in the courtroom, Josh rounds up the action from Supreme Court oral arguments in the Dobbs abortion case, and they feel better about using sound waves to remove microplastics from the ocean. Some problems seem impossible, until we examine them anew!

NOTE: The verdict in the Kyle Rittenhouse trial was released while recording this episode.

Some legal cases are more complicated and meaningful than others, but they're all interesting to talk about! Josh and Kristen start by explaining Steve Bannon's contempt of Congress charge on which he appeared in court this week, then they welcome defense attorney Casey Hoff back to discuss controversies in the Kyle Rittenhouse case and react as the verdict is announced, they clean up leftovers on Congressional action and a commuted death sentence, and then feel better about signs that a certain vaccine for young people is working even better than expected.

It's a big week for law and order in America! Kristen returns to join Josh on a walk through some of the preliminary details we've learned about the tragic deaths at Astroworld Festival in Houston, they welcome defense attorney Craig Mastantuano back to recap arguments in the Kyle Rittenhouse trial, Josh breaks down the politics (before and after passage) of the bipartisan infrastructure framework and what it means for the larger reconciliation package, and finally they feel better about news of a promising development in overcoming treatment-resistance in prostate cancer. Will wonders never cease?!

A busy week at the Supreme Court means a loaded lineup of rule of law issues! This week, Brian Anderson joins Josh Dukelow to discuss oral arguments about acceptable state limits to the right to carry guns outside the home, Professor Emeritus Kevin Hill explains the high court's refusal to intervene in a vaccine mandate dispute from Maine, they devour Congressional leftovers concerning bills that still have not passed, then feel better about evidence that nature finds a way to heal itself. We can be part of the solution, too, and who doesn't feel good about that?

The law can be complicated, and some areas are more complex than others. This week Kristen and Josh circle back to the complexities of qualified immunity following Supreme Court rulings on the "shadow docket," they talk confusion around cannabis law compliance with corporate counsel Emily Gordon, they devour leftovers on infrastructure and abortion and Manchin (oh my!), then feel better about an innovative discovery for turning human wastewater (yeah, that) into electricity. Will wonders never cease?!?

You didn't think a little thing like a massive civil case would get in the way of the pod did you? Despite Kristen's wild schedule these days, she and Josh sat down to discuss the draft report from President Joe Biden's Supreme Court Reform Commission, they cleaned up leftovers on a slimmed down package of election law reforms (that nonetheless failed to pass in the Senate), and finally feel better about a big leap forward in removing plastics and other trash from our oceans. There's no interview in this "mini pod," but there's still plenty to chew on... Bon apetit!

You didn't think we'd miss the biggest day of the year for rule of law did you? After Josh and Kristen discuss the federal vs state dispute over vaccine mandates taking shape in Texas, they welcome Brian Anderson to share and explain the 2021 Rule of Law Index from the World Justice Project, then down leftovers on covid in schools and the Texas abortion law, before feeling better about people overcoming adversity to achieve their dreams. Who wouldn't feel better after that?

Reunited and it feels so good! Josh and Kristen are back together this week, and ready to ring in a new term at the Supreme Court. But first they recap a wild case involving Muhammad Ali, the military draft, and rule of law to explore the concept of conscientious objections; they welcome Kristen's Marquette Law School Professor Chad Oldfather to preview the SCOTUS term and explain why the "shadow docket" is getting so much attention; they clean up leftovers on Congress raising the debt limit but continuing not to pass President Biden's legislative agenda; and finally they feel better about California beach property going back to its rightful historic owners. It's going to be a big term at the high court, and after listening to this you'll be ready for it!