When To Show Up to Get a Seat for DC v. Heller?:
Several people have contacted me expressing interest in attending the oral argument on March 18 in the Supreme Court's Second Amendment case, DC v. Heller, and wondering when they should show up to get a seat. Just in case others might be thinking about this, I thought I would blog my response.
First of all, let me point out the obvious that no one really knows the answer. I'm just guessing when people might show up, and when people show up depends in part on their guesses as to when other people might do the same. With that said, I would guess that the line will fill up for Heller earlier than for any other argument in recent years (and perhaps ever).
This is true for a few reasons. First, millions of Americans have tremendously passionate feelings about their rights to own guns. Second, Heller is the extremely rare case in which the Justices are essentially writing on a clean slate: There is almost no relevant precedent at all here, which means that the Court may set the basic terms of the debate. Third, this has otherwise been a very quiet Supreme Court Term. Heller is the most significant case being argued this Spring, making this the hot ticket.
What does this mean in terms of how early you need to show up? In recent years, the public line for blockbuster cases has tended to fill up sometime the night before. For example, in the Grokster case in 2005, the public line filled up around 10pm the night before (more here); in the Boumediene case this past fall, about 50 people camped out over night. In light of this, I wouldn't be surprised if some people get in line a full day or even more before argument time. I don't know how many people will try this, but the Supreme Court's courtroom is pretty small. If you really want to make sure you get a seat, it's probably a good idea to think of showing up in the middle of the day the day before the argument. My guess is that showing up that night won't work. That's my best guess, at least.
Finally, remember that the oral argument audio will be released shortly after the argument ends. You might still want to go just for the experience, but if you don't make it you can hear the argument about an hour later from your computer.
First of all, let me point out the obvious that no one really knows the answer. I'm just guessing when people might show up, and when people show up depends in part on their guesses as to when other people might do the same. With that said, I would guess that the line will fill up for Heller earlier than for any other argument in recent years (and perhaps ever).
This is true for a few reasons. First, millions of Americans have tremendously passionate feelings about their rights to own guns. Second, Heller is the extremely rare case in which the Justices are essentially writing on a clean slate: There is almost no relevant precedent at all here, which means that the Court may set the basic terms of the debate. Third, this has otherwise been a very quiet Supreme Court Term. Heller is the most significant case being argued this Spring, making this the hot ticket.
What does this mean in terms of how early you need to show up? In recent years, the public line for blockbuster cases has tended to fill up sometime the night before. For example, in the Grokster case in 2005, the public line filled up around 10pm the night before (more here); in the Boumediene case this past fall, about 50 people camped out over night. In light of this, I wouldn't be surprised if some people get in line a full day or even more before argument time. I don't know how many people will try this, but the Supreme Court's courtroom is pretty small. If you really want to make sure you get a seat, it's probably a good idea to think of showing up in the middle of the day the day before the argument. My guess is that showing up that night won't work. That's my best guess, at least.
Finally, remember that the oral argument audio will be released shortly after the argument ends. You might still want to go just for the experience, but if you don't make it you can hear the argument about an hour later from your computer.
Related Posts (on one page):
- A Headline I Would Not Want the Justices To See the Morning of the Second Amendment Oral Argument
- When To Show Up to Get a Seat for DC v. Heller?:
Now you will have to show up in the morning of the day before argument just to beat all the VC folk.
Were you in the bar line or the public line?
I know a bit of the 'back story' ( just a tiny little bit ) that they had to fight to get here, and they have stayed with it to present a collection of arguments that I suspect may never have been rivalled, in their diversity and depth and breadth, in any other case.
As much as Miller sat there and rotted for 70-whatever years, stinking up the place ( come on already - one side not even filed, briefed, or represented ???), that case is now going to be closed, I think. If the Supe's wanted to run away again, I think they would have phrased the question differently, and probably have remanded by now, without argument.
The way they phrased the question suggests to me that they're willing to finally face it head on, and, be that the case, based on the filings presented, there can be only one outcome, IMO.
There will be much gnashing of teeth in Bradyville when the decisoin is announced !!!
yes thell frame the debate about whether there is a personal 2nd amendment right
but in actuality most of the people there probably are hoping for an announcement of that right and even if there is sucha right
1. the case will not decide is whether there is necessarily a right to carry or use those guns in any way whatsoever..other than home self defense and to transport them within your house and to and from the sun shop. Nor will they decide
2. more importantly
there will be another "clean slate" on whether there is a personal right to own guns in virtually everywhere but DC and the US territories under the 14th amendment substantive due process doctrine.
3. and-the actual decision wont be announced for several months afterward...and both the oral argument transcript and the actual decision will be available on the day they come out-probably within an hour...for free.
4. its not like basketball-your being there to cheer on your team has no affect on the outcome (even in basketball the effect you have is extremely small)
so why are people (members of the bar?!) staying out over night in the cold to hear this oral argument?
i went to see the trial of the admin DC judge who sued the dry cleaner for 64 million-now that was worth it...no transcript of the trail was readily available to the public, it was pretty clear that he would loose and that that his appeal would be quickly dismissed (and it was possible the verdict could have been announced from the bench-although it was not)-and the fact that we all showed up viably shamed the guy and encouraged the poor defendants.
I'm not sure if there has ever been an overnight bar member line. At the last argument I attended (which was an amicus-heavy business case), the person at the front of the bar line said he got there at 7:00 a.m. Of course, bar members who don't get a seat can listen in the lawyer's lounge, which is actually more comfortable. I don't know what the capacity of the lawyer's lounge is.
To give some perspective, one would have had to show up by 3:30 in the afternoon the day before Bush v. Gore was argued to see that case.
That said, the press area is on the side of the courtroom, so roughly 80% of the press get seated behind columns and are lucky if they can see any of the Justices. Someone from the press office generally holds up fingers (one through nine) to tell us who's speaking.
It's the opportunity to see history made, without having it fitered through press reports, or abridged by reading the transcripts (which won't indicate with of the justices are rolling their eyes).
Which--sheesh!
but i guess i see your point--if your a fanatic
For Second Amendment enthusiasts, I would suggest that DC v. Heller will be just as monumental as Bush v. Gore. If I wanted to ensure myself a seat, I'd be in line during the daylight hours of St. Patrick's Day.
Very late reply, I apologize - I was in the public line. I was but a meager law student at the time.
The only case I know of in recent memory where Bar members needed to show up the night before was Bush v Gore.
The most heavily watched case I've seen in the last couple of years, was the climate change case. I arrived at 8:00 and had to sit in the overflow bar counsel room - which with its nice courtyard is a rather relaxing place.
A former colleague of mine showed up at 7:00 and was nearly first in line. I plan to get there about 6:30 or so. Tried to get Bitter Bitch tickets, but had no luck.