This episode explores Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association, set to be argued at the SCOTUS on January 11, 2016. 

Issue: (1) Whether Abood v. Detroit Board of Education should be overruled and public-sector “agency shop” arrangements invalidated under the First Amendment; and (2) whether it violates the First Amendment to require that public employees affirmatively object to subsidizing nonchargeable speech by public-sector unions, rather than requiring that employees affirmatively consent to subsidizing such speech.

Friedrichs V. CTA - Episode 1

What is a family? The "Scarborough 11," a non-traditional family in Hartford, CT, seek to define what a traditional family looks like. 

Read more here: http://www.courant.com/community/hartford/hc-hartford-scarborough-reopen-case-1028-20151027-story.html

Question Presented: What is a family?

Was it an errand for his mother or protected First Amendment activity? Jeffery Heffernan picked up a sign for his mom. His life will never be the same. Case to be argued Jan. 19. 

Issue: Whether the First Amendment bars the government from demoting a public employee based on a supervisor's perception that the employee supports a political candidate.


Heffernan V. City Of Paterson - Episode 2

This case has major impacts on defendants' due process rights under the 14th Amendment. 

Will SCOTUS shutdown pragmatic Posner and the 7th Circuit? This case is set to be argued January 12th. 


Duncan V. Owens  - Episode 3

This episode discusses Whole Woman’s Health v. Cole, in which a Texas "health" law is challenged. Set to be argued March 2, 2016.

Issue: 
(1) Whether, when applying the “undue burden” standard of Planned Parenthood v. Casey, a court errs by refusing to consider whether and to what extent laws that restrict abortion for the stated purpose of promoting health actually serve the government’s interest in promoting health; 
and (2) whether the Fifth Circuit erred in concluding that this standard permits Texas to enforce, in nearly all circumstances, laws that would cause a significant reduction in the availability of abortion services while failing to advance the State’s interest in promoting health - or any other valid interest.

Whole Woman's Health V. Cole - Episode 4

Want a clear break down of the salient legal issues of our time? You’ve come to the right place. We will explore upcoming Supreme Court cases and help you better understand the 3rd Branch.

The 3rd Branch