Supreme Court

I went to hear oral argument yesterday in Kimbrough v. US (No. 06-6330). The court was considering the reasonableness standard in sentencing after Booker in the context of the 100-to-1 ratio of crack cocaine to powder cocaine possession.

This was a pretty morning at the beginning of term and two important cases so you had to get in line around 6:30 a.m. to get a seat to hear the first case, Gall v. US at 10 a.m. I got there are 8:15 and got in to see the eleven o’clock argument.

You can take notes, but you can’t take a binder into the courtroom. So just bring a reporter’s notebook or paper and pencil. Lockers are 25 cents. There is a change machine in the coatroom.

Worth visiting if just to see the little elf behind the red curtain who operates the Chief Justice.

I had a chance to see the court in session in October 2005. It was Roberts’ third day on the bench and they were hearing arguments about Oregon’s assisted suicide laws. It was awe inspiring!

The exterior of the building is imposing and impressive. The exhibits inside are interesting, if a little dated. There’s some odd stuff for sale in the gift shop.

I want to go back sometime and actually see the Court in action.