Audio Oral Arguments

Problem: There's an exciting case being argued before the Supreme Court of the United States.  You really want to see it, but you're a law student, which means you don't have the time, money, or energy to fly all the way to Washington, D.C., to view oral arguments in person. 

Solution: Listen to audio files of the oral arguments! 

The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS), many state supreme courts, and some federal circuit courts have audio files available for downloading and listening to at your convenience.  Hear some of the best (or worst) lawyering the United States has to offer.  Who knows?  Maybe someday you will be the star of one of SCOTUS's downloads!

Supreme Court of the United States

The Oyez Project:  This great website is set up so that you don’t have to guess who is saying what.  The transcript lights up as each person speaks, clearly indicating the current speaker.  Never miss a good Scalia quote while using this site! 

To use the transcript/audio feature, find a case that has audio available, and click on the "Expanded View" button.  The transcript will pop up and you can begin playing the oral argument once the page loads.

Federal Circuit Courts

The following Circuit Courts have made audio recordings of oral arguments available:

First Circuit Court of Appeals

Third Circuit Court of Appeals

Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals

Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals: available for high profile cases

Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals: (also available: 7th Circuit RSS feed)

Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals: available at noon the day after arguments

State Supreme Courts

The following State high courts offer recordings for your listening enjoyment:

Alaska: also gives the option to order video-taped arguments.
California: audio AND video!
Colorado
Delaware
Florida
Idaho
Illinois: audio AND video.
Kansas: live streaming oral arguments, plus archives.
Nevada
New Hampshire
Ohio: live and archived video footage.
Texas: downloadable mp3's.
Vermont
Wisconsin: live streaming oral arguments, plus archives.