The Supreme Court has announced a new pilot program that allows members of the public to enter a lottery for reserved seats in the court room during oral arguments or decision announcements. This program aims to make it easier for people like Landon Eckard, a North Carolina law student who camped out to witness a historic case, to attend court sessions. While some public seats will still be available on a first-come, first-served basis, those who win the lottery will have a guaranteed seat in advance. The deadline to enter the lottery is four weeks before the scheduled argument, and winners will be notified three weeks in advance. The first arguments available through the lottery are for cases in February, including one about whether Mexican can hold U.S. gunmakers liable for violence caused by drug cartels. Additionally, the court’s oral arguments can be listened to through a live stream, as the justices have resisted allowing cameras in the court room. Overall, this new program aims to increase accessibility to the Supreme Court for the public and provide more opportunities for people to witness important cases.
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Some may find attending a Supreme Court oral argument more accessible now
