The Shadow Docket and How the Supreme Court Uses It

When most Americans think about the Supreme Court, they think of the nine justices in black robes hearing oral arguments in a stately courtroom. Then, after careful consideration by the justices involving extensive research and writing, they issue opinions or dissents, signing their names to how they voted. However, there's a whole other way the Court does business, and it's been getting a lot of attention in recent years. It is the so-called Shadow Docket, and the Court has issued rulings on Covid restrictions, immigration orders, and state abortion laws. These are often unsigned opinions delivered in the middle of the night. In this video, University of Texas School of Law professor Steve Vladeck and Bloomberg Law Supreme Court reporter Jordan Rubin explain what the Shadow Docket is, why it exists, why it's in the news so often now, and how to make it more transparent. (Produced by Andrew Satter; Executive Producer: Josh Block)

[@elmofam95]

great video. easy to understand while being elaborative. however the choice of background music was too distracting as it gave the impression that the content being discussed was part of some comedy sketch.

[@wingsabre]

The biggest issue with the shadow docket is how final it is without any accountability or transparency. The easiest way to fix it is to allow injured parties to appeal the decisions to request en banc where the decision is then moved to the full court to vote on.

[@caseyscott5107]

I like how they keep making rulings and we just keep doing whatever the hell we want. Sorry if I don't take a grown men and woman in a robe seriously.

[@msgpgates]

Need to expand the Supreme Court to 13 justices maybe more.

[@billstreet5043]

no that will just create a never ending cycle of adding justices to get a majority when you have power.

[@msgpgates]

There are 13 circuit courts that are supervised by the nine justices, expand to 13 so that each has one to supervise. @@billstreet5043