30 April 2007

SCOTUS Starts Podcasting

For the first time that I can remember, the United States Supreme Court, historically grossly averse to technologal change, has released a video clip along with its opinion in a case involving a high speed chase.

While a videoclip release of any kind is rare, and any kind of illustration in a civil rights case is rare, it actually isn't quite as ground breaking as it might seem. The video is of the chase being discussed, rather than of the court's action (even though the case also included an unusual orally announced dissent by Justice Stevens in the 8-1 decision). There is actually a long history of including illustrations in court opinions involving complex subjects (usually real estate or patent law cases).

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