Legal Docket

Hosts Jenny Rough and Mary Reichard analyze an 8th Amendment case, cruel and unusual punishment. In 2005, Brett Jones killed his grandfather. He was 15. The Supreme Court looks at what is required before a juvenile can receive a life without parole sentence.

Hosts Mary Reichard and Jenny Rough analyze a case of simple facts and complicated law. In 2014, college student James King is beaten up by FBI agents who had the wrong guy. Now in 2021, he still hasn’t received recompense for his damages after going all the way to the US Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court first considered the constitutionality of mandatory vaccine laws in Jacobson v. Massachusetts (1905). In this episode, hosts Mary Reichard and Jenny Rough examine that decision and cases that expanded it. You will hear from legal experts, doctors, a COVID-19 patient, and a pastor who offer insightful interviews on this this complex debate.

Hosts Mary Reichard and Jenny Rough preview a handful of cases from the upcoming Supreme Court term: including legal questions over copyright, Catholic adoption agencies, the Affordable Care Act, and free speech on college campuses.

Legal Docket is a production of WORLD Radio. Support WORLD at wng.org/donate.

Hosts Mary Reichard and Jenny Rough consider abortion law, incrementalism, and the surprising plurality opinion from the Supreme Court in June Medical Services L.L.C. v. Russo.

Legal Docket is a production of WORLD Radio. Support WORLD at wng.org/donate.

Hosts Mary Reichard and Jenny Rough consider Kansas v. Glover, a case about a routine traffic stop. In 2016, a Kansas sheriff ran the plates of a truck on the road. The state database indicated that the owner of the vehicle had a suspended license. So the sheriff pulled the driver over, even though he was not breaking any other traffic regulations at the time. The nine Supreme Court justices had to decide if driver's 4th Amendment protections against unreasonable searches were violated.

Legal Docket is a production of WORLD Radio. Support WORLD at wng.org/donate.

Hosts Mary Reichard and Jenny Rough analyze Hernández v. Mesa, a case about a cross-border shooting. In 2010 a U.S. Border Patrol agent shot and killed a Mexican teenager who was standing on Mexican soil. Can the boy’s parents sue the Border Patrol agent for money damages?

Legal Docket is a production of WORLD Radio. Support WORLD at wng.org/donate.

Hosts Mary Reichard and Jenny Rough consider Harris Funeral Homes, Inc. v. EEOC, a case that had to decide whether the term "sex" in Title VII should include gender identity. Legal Docket is a production of WORLD Radio.

Support WORLD at wng.org/donate.

This episode contains mature content.

Hosts Mary Reichard and Jenny Rough break down Kahler v. Kansas, a case that considers limits on the insanity defense. This episode features insightful interviews, memorable moments from oral argument, and some colorful history behind this complex issue.

Legal Docket is a production of WORLD Radio. Support WORLD at wng.org/donate.

This episode contains mature content.