Mr. Beat
Can the Government Force You Out of Your House? | Kelo v. New London
In episode 48 of Supreme Court Briefs, a woman gets kicked out of her home. She fights back.
Mr. Beat
Can Congress Have Term Limits? | U.S. Term Limits, Inc. v. Thornton
In episode 46 of Supreme Court Briefs, Arkansas tries to get rid of career politicians through indirect term limits. Yeah but is it legal?
Mr. Beat
Affirmative Action for College? | Regents of the University of California v. Bakke
In episode 45 of Supreme Court Briefs, a man claims to be reverse discriminated against when he applies for UC Davis Medical School. Does affirmative action go against the Constitution?
Mr. Beat
Is Gerrymandering Legal? | Shaw v. Reno
In episode 43 of Supreme Court Briefs, the North Carolina state legislature gerrymanders to help African Americans since North Carolina, ya know, doesn't historically doesn't elect African Americans.
Mr. Beat
How the Supreme Court Decided the 2000 Election | Bush v. Gore
In episode 39 of Supreme Court Briefs, it's the most controversial Presidential election in American history (except maybe the Election of 1860 or Election of 1824), mainly because the Supreme Court ultimately decides its outcome.
Mr. Beat
Can the Police Take Your DNA? | Maryland v. King
In episode 38 of Supreme Court Briefs, a man is arrested and a sample of his DNA is taken and put into a database. The DNA sample comes back months later to reveal it matched the DNA in a rape case and he is charged with the rape. Wait a...
Mr. Beat
A Legal Slave Uprising? | United States v. The Amistad
In episode 37 of Supreme Court Briefs, a slave uprising on a ship called The Amistad leads it to the shores of the United States, where the Supreme Court eventually determines their fate.
Mr. Beat
Do You Have the Right to Remain Silent? | Salinas v. Texas
In episode 33 of Supreme Court Briefs, police question a dude named Salinas about a murder, and they claim his silence made him seem guilty. He claims "the right to remain silent."
Mr. Beat
The Difference Between Gambling and Gaming | FCC v ABC
In episode 31 of Supreme Court Briefs, a game show gives away money and stuff, and the FCC gets all upset and tries to stop it.
Mr. Beat
Why Illegal Immigrants Can Attend Public School | Plyler v. Doe
In episode 26 of Supreme Court Briefs, illegal immigrants get kicked out of public schools in Tyler, Texas and a local district starts charging them to attend school there because they're illegal.
Mr. Beat
Can Texas Secede From the Union? | Texas v. White
In episode 22 of Supreme Court Briefs, Texas sells bonds from a country it claims to no longer be a part of. After all is said and done, the Supreme Court decides whether or not Texas has a right to secede from the Union.
Mr. Beat
Can You Start a Bible Study Club at School? | Westside Community Board of Education v. Mergens
In episode 20 of Supreme Court Briefs, high school students want to start a Bible Study Club, but their principal won't let them, saying it breaks the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.
Mr. Beat
When Does a Police Officer Go Too Far? | Graham v. Connor
In episode 15 of Supreme Court Briefs, a man with diabetes is beat up by the police who think he is drunk and just robbed a convenience store. Spoiler alert- he didn't.
Mr. Beat
Broadcast Television on Your Phone? | ABC v. Aereo
In episode 14 of Supreme Court Briefs, a company trying to show broadcast television on phones and tablets gets sued by, you guessed it, broadcast companies.
Mr. Beat
Strengthening the Second Amendment | D.C. v. Heller
In episode 27 of Supreme Court Briefs, a gun ban in the District of Columbia gets challenged, and the Supreme Court seriously looks at the 2nd amendment for the first time in nearly 70 years.
Mr. Beat
Can You Burn An American Flag? | Texas v. Johnson
In episode 7 of Supreme Court Briefs, a dude named Johnson burns the American flag and the whole country seems to freak out. Does the First Amendment protect flag burning?
Mr. Beat
Ending School Segregation | Brown v. Board of Education
In episode 8 of Supreme Court Briefs, the Court unanimously has major issues with Plessy v. Ferguson, and ends up dramatically changing the future of the Civil Rights Movement by ruling segregation "inherently unequal.”
Mr. Beat
Are Tomatoes Fruits or Vegetables? | Nix v. Hedden
In episode 5 of Supreme Court Briefs, Mr. Beat looks at that one time the Supreme Court heard arguments about whether tomatoes were fruits or vegetables. No joke. For the record, Mr. Beat hates tomatoes. John Nix was one of the most...
Mr. Beat
Is Prayer Allowed at Public School? | Engel v. Vitale
In the third episode of Supreme Court Briefs, Mr. Beat examines the first of many Supreme Court cases dealing with the separation of church and state- Engel v. Vitale. The state board of education said that students were to open each day...
Mr. Beat
Does Congress Have Implied Powers? | McCulloch v. Maryland
In the second episode of Supreme Court Briefs, Mr. Beat makes one of the most boring Supreme Court cases in American history somewhat more interesting. It was, after all, QUITE A FREAKING BIG DEAL. Washington, D.C. 1816 The United States...
PBS
Who's To Blame for Evictions?
Some say America is in the midst of an eviction epidemic... but whose fault is it? Greedy landlords? Deadbeat tenants? Let's hear the evidence!
Curated Video
The US and the ICC, Part II
Legal scholar Emilie Hafner-Burton (UC San Diego) discusses why the US should be a signatory to the International Criminal Court.
Curated Video
The US and the ICC, Part I
Legal scholar Emilie Hafner-Burton (UC San Diego) discusses American attitudes regarding the International Criminal Court.
MarketWatch
Thinking of refinancing your student loans? Watch this first.
It can be tempting to refinance your student loans for a lower interest rate, but it’s important to read the fine print of what protections you may be losing. Here's what to consider.