US Supreme Court

April 9, 2004 10:01 PM

Feeling strongly on the issue, I'm planning on heading into Washington, DC in hopes of being in the courtroom when the Supreme Court hears Hamdi v. Rumsfeld and Padilla v. Rumsfeld.

Keeping in mind the likely popularity of these cases, when should I show up and be on line? If I make it in to hear argument on the first case, will I need to try to throw someone some cash for their ticket to the second? What might be helpful to know that I won't find on the official info sheet? [last three links PDF]

(Also, do I have to show up EXTRA early now that I've mentioned this on MeFi?)

posted by John Kenneth Fisher to Law & Government (10 answers total)

Can you make sure to write about it when you get back?
posted by Keyser Soze at 10:34 PM on April 9, 2004

Good luck. This is an extremely closely watched and important case.

Here's a war story of someone who went to see Lessig argue in Eldred v. Ashcroft (and while that case, like all the ones SCOTUS grants cert to, was important, it did not receive nearly as much media attention as these.)

Seems like you need to start lining up between 3 and 5 AM, and the marshals will kick you out for buying or selling your lottery number.

Those who are interested in seeing appellate advocacy in action are encouraged to visit your local state supreme court for oral argument; you will often hear crickets in the gallery as nobody shows up except the lawyers and occasionally their clients.
posted by PrinceValium at 10:47 PM on April 9, 2004

Response by poster: Can you make sure to write about it when you get back?

Most definitely, Keyser Soze.

Great link, PrinceValium, thanks.

Much agreed on the importance. We'll see what happens.
posted by John Kenneth Fisher at 11:06 PM on April 9, 2004

Your Senator might be able to help.
posted by raaka at 5:27 AM on April 10, 2004

I have to ditto the Senator suggestion. It's worth a shot.
posted by yangwar at 6:42 AM on April 10, 2004

I work across the street, and have a camera. Shoot me an email (see my profile page) with your details, and I'll come document it when Mr. Fisher goes to Washington!
posted by MrMoonPie at 7:38 AM on April 10, 2004

Response by poster: That's a very good suggestion, re: my senator. I have to admit that I doubt they can or will bother to do so, but you're absolutely right that its worth a shot. In fact, I'll call on Monday, and follow up here with what happened.
posted by John Kenneth Fisher at 3:18 PM on April 10, 2004

For the Elk Grove v. Newdow case (Pledge of Allegiance) a couple weeks ago, people camped out overnight to get a seat inside.
posted by stopgap at 5:14 PM on April 10, 2004

Response by poster: Spoke to the office of my Seantor today (actually, called both of them, AND my congressman. Only Senator Corzine's (D-NJ) office replied). They don't have any pull on this, it seems, so sleeping out front as stopgap says seems to be the answer. (Though they are sending me tickets for several other things in the city, so, you know, go Senator Corzine.)
posted by John Kenneth Fisher at 9:56 PM on April 12, 2004

Response by poster: As promised, Mr. Fisher Goes to Washington, part one (self link, obviously)
posted by John Kenneth Fisher at 12:52 PM on May 9, 2004