The U.S. Supreme Court opens a new term on Monday, Oct 6, the first Monday in October. Arguments run most Mon–Wed mornings at 10 a.m. ET, with schedules posted by the Court. Live audio streams on the Court’s website and transcripts/audio are posted later the same day.
Quick schedule: Week 1 & 2 highlights
Mon, Oct 6
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Villarreal v. Texas (24-557) — Whether a judge can bar a defendant and their lawyer from discussing testimony during an overnight recess, potentially limiting Sixth Amendment counsel rights.
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Berk v. Choy (24-440) — Do state medical-malpractice rules (like expert-affidavit requirements) apply in federal court? A civil-procedure fight that affects access to court.
Tue, Oct 7
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Chiles v. Salazar (24-539) — Challenge to Colorado’s ban on “conversion therapy” for minors: is counselor talk therapy regulated professional conduct or protected speech under the First Amendment?
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Barrett v. United States (24-5774) — A federal criminal case (procedural/Double Jeopardy issues are in the preview coverage) set for argument the same day.
Wed, Oct 8
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Bost v. Illinois State Board of Elections (24-568) — Do federal candidates have standing to challenge state election-rule changes (like extended deadlines) in federal court? Big implications for ballot rules and suits by campaigns.
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U.S. Postal Service v. Konan (24-351) — Can plaintiffs sue the Postal Service for intentionally not delivering certain mail? A nuts-and-bolts case about remedies against federal agencies.
Tue, Oct 14
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Bowe v. United States (24-5438) and Ellingburg v. United States (24-482) — Criminal law—including whether certain restitution orders are “punishment” under the Constitution’s ex post facto clause.
Wed, Oct 15
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Louisiana v. Callais / Robinson v. Callais (24-109 & 24-110) — Reargument in a closely watched congressional map dispute out of Louisiana with Voting Rights Act and racial-gerrymandering claims.
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Case v. Montana (24-624) — What standard lets police enter a home without a warrant under the emergency-aidexception: probable cause, or less? A Fourth Amendment test.
Full October calendar and the Court’s official hearing list are posted by SCOTUS. Times: 10 a.m. (and 1 p.m. for any afternoon arguments).
Why these cases matter
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Speech & LGBTQ youth: Chiles v. Salazar could affect conversion-therapy bans in two dozen states and redraw lines between professional regulation and free speech.
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Elections: Bost v. Illinois tests when candidates can sue over state voting rules—relevant for late changes in federal races.
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Policing & privacy: Case v. Montana may reset the threshold for warrantless home entry in emergencies.
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Redistricting: The Louisiana map case will signal how this Court is handling Voting Rights Act and racial-gerrymander claims this cycle.
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Access to court/agency liability: Berk v. Choy and USPS v. Konan affect everyday plaintiffs—malpractice and mail delivery disputes—through procedural rules and remedies.
How to follow along
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Live audio & transcripts: The Court live-streams audio of arguments and posts audio/transcripts later in the day. Check the Oral Arguments page on supremecourt.gov.
- The term opens the first Monday in October and usually wraps major opinions by mid-June.
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