Beyond The Judgement
- Episodes
- 86
- Released
- every two weeks
- Latest episode
- May 18, 2026
About the podcast
While national courts often dominate headlines, many everyday decisions that shape our communities are made by state judges. Beyond The Judgement dives deep into the lives and perspectives of judges and justices from local courts across the country. Through interviews, we uncover the stories, values, and challenges of those who are making important decisions. These interviews are supplemented by conversations with law professors who dive into the effects of state court decisions. Taken together, we hope to understand who and what is truly beyond the judgement.
Episodes 86
12. Judge Andrea Wolfson (Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida)
Happy Monday, everybody! On today's episode, Eva chatted with Judge Andrea Wolfson of Florida's Eleventh Circuit. We had a wonderful conversation about Judge Wolfson's long tenure in criminal law, as well as …
Show notes
Happy Monday, everybody! On today's episode, Eva chatted with Judge Andrea Wolfson of Florida's Eleventh Circuit. We had a wonderful conversation about Judge Wolfson's long tenure in criminal law, as well as her insights about the challenges approaching the legal field today. We hope you enjoy this episode and see you soon for another :)
11. Judge Amy Eddy (Montana Supreme Court Hopeful)
On today's episode, Pari spoke with Judge Amy Eddy who is running for Montana Supreme Court. You can learn more about her and her campaign here: https://amyeddyforjustice.com/. Thank you so much!
11. Judge Lisa Walsh
Hello everyone!! On today's episode, Eva chatted with Judge Lisa Walsh of the the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court in Miami-Dade County, Florida. We had a fantastic conversation about her background, emerging …
Show notes
Hello everyone!! On today's episode, Eva chatted with Judge Lisa Walsh of the the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court in Miami-Dade County, Florida. We had a fantastic conversation about her background, emerging threats to judicial security and safety, and more.
We'll see you soon for another episode!
10. Judge Houghton
Hey y'all!On today's episode, Pari was joined by Judge Houghton of the New Mexico Court of Appeals. This year, Judge Houghton is running to keep his seat on the court. You can learn more about him and his …
Show notes
Hey y'all!
On today's episode, Pari was joined by Judge Houghton of the New Mexico Court of Appeals. This year, Judge Houghton is running to keep his seat on the court. You can learn more about him and his campaign here: https://keepjudgehoughton.com/. Thank you for listening!
09. Judge Sara Doyle (GA Court of Appeals)
Happy Monday! On today's episode of BTJ, Eva interviews Judge Sara Doyle of the Georgia Court of Appeals. See you in two weeks!
08. Judge Chris McFadden (GA Court of Appeals)
Hi everyone!On today's episode, Pari spoke with the Honorable Judge Chris McFadden of the Georgia Court of Appeals. We hope you enjoy this episode!
07. Judge Toby Hampson
Happy Monday! Tune in to hear Judge Toby Hampson of the NC Court of Appeals chat with Eva about his background, legal career, why he’s running again, and where he believe courts get their power. We hope you …
Show notes
Happy Monday! Tune in to hear Judge Toby Hampson of the NC Court of Appeals chat with Eva about his background, legal career, why he’s running again, and where he believe courts get their power. We hope you enjoy this conversation and we’ll see you next time for another interview!
06. Judge Chris Brook
Tune in to hear Judge Chris Brook discuss his experience on the NC Court of Appeals and more with Pari!
05. Judge Allegra Collins
Happy Monday! On today’s episode, Eva chatted with Judge Allegra Collins of the NC Court of Appeals. We talked about her journey to bench, advice for aspiring lawyers, experience as a world class athlete, and …
Show notes
Happy Monday! On today’s episode, Eva chatted with Judge Allegra Collins of the NC Court of Appeals. We talked about her journey to bench, advice for aspiring lawyers, experience as a world class athlete, and decision not to run for reelection in 2026. We had a fantastic time talking and hope you enjoy this episode. Judge Collins is active on LinkedIn, so visit her page here to learn more.
04. Justice Robin Hudson
On today's episode I spoke with Justice Robin Hudson who served on the North Carolina Supreme Court! Justice Hudson mentioned the Informed Voters Project which you can check out here …
Show notes
On today's episode I spoke with Justice Robin Hudson who served on the North Carolina Supreme Court! Justice Hudson mentioned the Informed Voters Project which you can check out here: https://nawj.org/catalog/community-outreach-programs/informed-voters-fair-judges-project.
03. Chief Judge Chris Dillon
Hey there! Welcome back to Beyond the Judgement. Today, Eva chatted with Chief Judge Chris Dillon of the North Carolina Appellate Court. Judge Dillon has been on the court for over ten years now. We hope you …
Show notes
Hey there! Welcome back to Beyond the Judgement. Today, Eva chatted with Chief Judge Chris Dillon of the North Carolina Appellate Court. Judge Dillon has been on the court for over ten years now. We hope you enjoy this conversation, and we’ll see you in two weeks for the next interview!
02. Judge Christine Walczyk
Hey y'all!On today's episode Pari spoke with Judge Christine Walczyk who has been a district court judge for over 18 years and is now running for the NC Court of Appeals. You can learn more about her and her …
Show notes
Hey y'all!
On today's episode Pari spoke with Judge Christine Walczyk who has been a district court judge for over 18 years and is now running for the NC Court of Appeals. You can learn more about her and her campaign here: https://www.judgechristine.org/. We are so grateful and honored to have had her on!
01. NC Supreme Court Justice Anita Earls
Hey y'all! On the first episode of Beyond the Judgement we had the honor of speaking with NC Supreme Court Justice Anita Earls. Justice Earls is running for re-election in 2026 and you can learn more about her …
Show notes
Hey y'all! On the first episode of Beyond the Judgement we had the honor of speaking with NC Supreme Court Justice Anita Earls. Justice Earls is running for re-election in 2026 and you can learn more about her and her campaign here: https://earls4justice.com/. Stay tuned for our next episode in 2 weeks!
Trailer - Welcome to Beyond the Judgement!
Hey y'all!We are so excited to announce a new chapter of "Tiers of Scrutiny." We cannot wait to speak with judges and justices across the country about why they do what they do and how. If you're interested in …
Show notes
Hey y'all!
We are so excited to announce a new chapter of "Tiers of Scrutiny." We cannot wait to speak with judges and justices across the country about why they do what they do and how. If you're interested in joining us as a speaker please email us at [email protected]. See you next week for our first episode!
- Eva and Pari
Executing Justice? (Glossip v. Oklahoma)
On today's episode Eva and I discuss Glossip v. Oklahoma. You can read more about the facts of the case here: https://www.oyez.org/cases/2024/22-7466 . Here are the resources we used for this episode …
Show notes
On today's episode Eva and I discuss Glossip v. Oklahoma. You can read more about the facts of the case here: https://www.oyez.org/cases/2024/22-7466 .
Here are the resources we used for this episode:
- https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24pdf/22-7466_5h25.pdf
US v. Skrmetti: SCOTUS Upholds Ban on Gender-Affirming Care for Minors
In this episode, Pari and I break down the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in United States v. Skrmetti, where the Court upheld Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming medical care for minors. We chat about the …
Show notes
In this episode, Pari and I break down the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in United States v. Skrmetti, where the Court upheld Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming medical care for minors. We chat about the majority’s rationale, the fierce dissent, various concurrences, and what this ruling might mean for the future of LGBTQ+ rights. We also discuss how Skrmetti fits into the broader post-Dobbs judicial landscape. Additional analysis on the case can be found in the "Gender-Affirming Care (US v. Skrmetti)" episode released on March 10th. As usual, our sources are listed below.
If interested, ACLU-NC, GSA Network, Human Rights Campaign, and Rainbow Collective for Change are hosting a virtual town hall discussing this SCOTUS decision TODAY (Monday, June 23rd at 6 PM EST)!
Sources:
https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24pdf/23-477_2cp3.pdf
https://www.hrc.org/resources/attacks-on-gender-affirming-care-by-state-map
https://www.scotusblog.com/cases/case-files/united-states-v-skrmetti/
Racial Gerrymandering, Revisited: Louisiana v. Callais
On today's episode of Tiers of Scrutiny, Pari and I discuss Louisiana v. Callais, a case that the Supreme Court heard arguments for in late March. After a federal court ordered Louisiana to fix a Voting Rights …
Show notes
On today's episode of Tiers of Scrutiny, Pari and I discuss Louisiana v. Callais, a case that the Supreme Court heard arguments for in late March. After a federal court ordered Louisiana to fix a Voting Rights Act violation, the new map—drawn to empower Black voters—sparked backlash from non-Black plaintiffs claiming racial gerrymandering. When, if ever, is racial gerrymandering a legitimate remedy? What does this mean for the future of the VRA? We discuss these questions and more in this episode. As always, sources below.
https://www.scotusblog.com/case-files/cases/louisiana-v-callais/
https://www.oyez.org/cases/2024/24-109
https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/24/24-109/335630/20241219161939870_24-109%20Brief-updated.pdf
Opt-Out or Opt-In? Faith, Freedom & the First Grade (Mahmoud v. Taylor)
In this episode, we dive into one of the most talked-about education and religious liberty cases of this term: Mahmoud v. Taylor. At the heart of the case? A Maryland school district's decision to include …
Show notes
In this episode, we dive into one of the most talked-about education and religious liberty cases of this term: Mahmoud v. Taylor. At the heart of the case? A Maryland school district's decision to include LGBTQ-inclusive storybooks in the elementary curriculum—and to eliminate the opt-out policy that once allowed parents to excuse their children from these lessons on religious grounds.
We explore the constitutional questions raised by Muslim, Catholic, and Orthodox Christian families who say their religious rights were sidelined, and the school district’s rationale that maintaining opt-outs was unworkable and potentially stigmatizing. What does the First Amendment really protect when it comes to public education, religious upbringing, and curriculum decisions? Tune in as we unpack the legal arguments, the court’s reasoning, and what this case could mean for schools and families across the country.
Here are our sources:
- https://www.oyez.org/cases/2024/24-297
- https://www.oyez.org/cases/2024/24-297
- https://www.scotusblog.com/case-files/cases/mahmoud-v-taylor/
Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. v. Estados Unidos Mexicanos
Welcome back to Tiers of Scrutiny! This week, Pari and I discussed Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. v. Estados Unidos Mexicanos--a case where the Mexican government takes American gun companies to court. Some …
Show notes
Welcome back to Tiers of Scrutiny! This week, Pari and I discussed Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. v. Estados Unidos Mexicanos--a case where the Mexican government takes American gun companies to court.
Some relevant resources:
https://www.oyez.org/cases/2024/23-1141
https://www.scotusblog.com/case-files/cases/smith-wesson-brands-inc-v-estados-unidos-mexicanos/
https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/23/23-1141/332815/20241126130359423_23-1141%20ts.pdf
Oklahoma State Charter School Board v. Drummond
Hi everyone! On today's ToS episode, Pari and I discuss Oklahoma State Charter School Board v. Drummond. This case raises various questions about the First Amendment's relationship to state-funded religious …
Show notes
Hi everyone! On today's ToS episode, Pari and I discuss Oklahoma State Charter School Board v. Drummond. This case raises various questions about the First Amendment's relationship to state-funded religious schools. Is it possible that the Free Exercise Clause prohibits states from excluding religious schools from charter-school programs? Alternatively, does the Establishment Clause require states to exclude these schools? We chat about these questions, as well as a few others here. As always, resources are listed below--thank you for tuning and we'll see you in two weeks!
https://www.oyez.org/cases/2024/24-394
Gender-Affirming Care (US v. Skrmetti)
Hey y'all! On today's episode Eva and I discuss US v. Skrmetti. Here are the resources we used: - https://www.hrc.org/resources/attacks-on-gender-affirming-care-by-state-map …
Show notes
Hey y'all! On today's episode Eva and I discuss US v. Skrmetti. Here are the resources we used:
- https://www.hrc.org/resources/attacks-on-gender-affirming-care-by-state-map
- https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamasurgery/fullarticle/2793977
- https://www.oyez.org/cases/2019/17-1618
- https://www.oyez.org/cases/2024/23-477
- https://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/113/Bill/SB0001.pdf
- https://www.scotusblog.com/case-files/cases/united-states-v-skrmetti/
- https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/23/23-477/300984/20240220190248213_23-477%20United%20States%20v.%20Skrmetti%20-%20final.pdf
- https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/23/23-477/299674/20240202161645864_23-466%20-477%20Brief%20in%20Opposition%20Final.pdf
Barnes v. Felix: Defining Limits on Police Force
On today’s episode of Tiers of Scrutiny, Pari and I discuss Barnes v. Felix, a case concerning the “moment of threat doctrine”--a legal principle limiting review of police officers’ use of force to only the …
Show notes
On today’s episode of Tiers of Scrutiny, Pari and I discuss Barnes v. Felix, a case concerning the “moment of threat doctrine”--a legal principle limiting review of police officers’ use of force to only the “moment of threat” in which they perceived a threat. Opponents of the doctrine call for an evaluation of “totality of circumstances”--arguing that courts must review any and all actions leading up to the moment of threat.
Barnes v. Felix is named for Ashtian Barnes, a Black man who was shot and killed by a law enforcement officer during a traffic stop in 2016.
Listed below are relevant resources:
https://www.scotusblog.com/case-files/cases/barnes-v-felix/
https://www.theusconstitution.org/litigation/barnes-v-felix/
https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/471/1/
Clouds of Confusion: Vapes vs. FDA Rules (FDA v. Wages and White Lion Investments)
In this episode, we dive into the legal battle between e-cigarette manufacturers and the FDA—a case that’s making waves all the way to the Supreme Court. Back in 2009, Congress put vaping under FDA oversight …
Show notes
In this episode, we dive into the legal battle between e-cigarette manufacturers and the FDA—a case that’s making waves all the way to the Supreme Court. Back in 2009, Congress put vaping under FDA oversight, but fast forward to 2021, and manufacturers claim the agency pulled a last-minute rule change, shutting down their applications without warning. The FDA says it’s just doing its job to protect public health—especially kids. So, did the agency play fair, or did it pull a “regulatory switcheroo,” as the Fifth Circuit called it? We break down the arguments, the legal implications, and what this case means for government transparency, corporate accountability, and the future of flavored vapes.
Tune in as we unpack the puffs, politics, and procedures behind this high-stakes case!
Here are our sources:
https://www.oyez.org/cases/2024/23-1038
https://www.scotusblog.com/2024/12/justices-hear-fda-case-on-flavored-vapes/https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/23/23-1038/323413/20240826164114741_23-1038tsFDA.pdf
https://www.fda.gov/about-fda/what-we-do
Privacy, Porn, and the First Amendment: A Constitutional Crossroads (Free Speech Coalition, Inc. v. Paxton)
Happy Monday, folks! On today's episode, Pari and I discuss Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, a case in which SCOTUS must decide the correct scrutiny test to apply to age verification laws on porn sites. Other …
Show notes
Happy Monday, folks! On today's episode, Pari and I discuss Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, a case in which SCOTUS must decide the correct scrutiny test to apply to age verification laws on porn sites. Other questions we touch on...Should governments be able to require that porn websites verify viewers' ages? Do such laws infringe on First Amendment protections and anonymity?
This is a case that will have significant implications for free speech protections regarding sexual/obscene content. We recorded this episode before the Supreme Court heard arguments in this case, so we've linked the January 15th arguments for you below--alongside a host of resources if you're interested in learning more.
See you in two weeks!
Eva & Pari
https://www.oyez.org/cases/2024/23-1122
https://www.scotusblog.com/case-files/cases/free-speech-coalition-inc-v-paxton/
https://www.aclu.org/cases/free-speech-coalition-inc-v-paxton
Republic of Hungary v. Simon
Hello listeners! In this episode, Pari and I discuss Republic of Hungary v. Simon, a SCOTUS case that concerns Hungarian Holocaust survivors suing the Republic of Hungary in pursuit of compensation for seized …
Show notes
Hello listeners! In this episode, Pari and I discuss Republic of Hungary v. Simon, a SCOTUS case that concerns Hungarian Holocaust survivors suing the Republic of Hungary in pursuit of compensation for seized property. Pari was actually lucky enough to be present in the chamber during oral arguments for this case! Listen for her observations about the justices' statures, behaviors and body languages during arguments, and more. As always, we've linked some information for you below and we'll see you in two weeks!
https://www.scotusblog.com/2020/12/case-preview-foreign-sovereign-immunity-comity-and-the-holocaust/
https://www.oyez.org/cases/2024/23-867
https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/23/23-867/323352/20240826122931272_23-867%20Petitioners%20Opening%20Brief.pdf
https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/23/23-867/324002/20240903185425980_23-867tsacUnitedStates.pdf
https://tlblog.org/hungary-v-simon-offers-supreme-court-stark-choice/
Tik Tok on Trial: A Conversation About Tik Tok v. Garland
Hey y'all! On today's episode Eva and I discuss the SCOTUS case about the Tik Tok ban. Here are the sources we used: https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/24/24-656/336151/20241227163400981_2024-12-27%20-%20Tik …
Show notes
Hey y'all!
On today's episode Eva and I discuss the SCOTUS case about the Tik Tok ban. Here are the sources we used:
https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/24/24-656/336144/20241227161148472_24-656tsGovt_final.pdfhttps://www.npr.org/2024/05/14/1251086753/tiktok-ban-first-amendment-lawsuit-free-speech-project-texas
https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/24/24-656/336136/20241227160309446_24-656%20ts.pdf
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/supreme-court-tiktok-ban-law/
Sentenced to Death by Deception (Glossip v. Oklahoma)
In today's episode, Eva and I discuss Glossip v. Oklahoma. The case is about Richard Glossip who has been sentenced to the death penalty despite the prosecution hiding information about a key witness' mental …
Show notes
In today's episode, Eva and I discuss Glossip v. Oklahoma. The case is about Richard Glossip who has been sentenced to the death penalty despite the prosecution hiding information about a key witness' mental health and that same witness admitting that he lied on the stand. We dive into the ethical implications of what will happen if the Supreme Court decides to uphold Glossip's sentence. Here are the sources we used:
- https://www.oyez.org/cases/2024/22-7466
- https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/22/22-7466/308603/20240429163200162_22-7466%20ts.pdf
- https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/facts-and-research/clemency
- https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/373/83/
- https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/brady_rule
- https://www.oyez.org/cases/2014/14-7955
Who Gets to Define the Word "Firearm"? (Garland v. VanDerStok)
In this episode, we delve into the Supreme Court case that challenges the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) 2022 revisions to the Gun Control Act of 1986. These revisions introduced new definitions …
Show notes
In this episode, we delve into the Supreme Court case that challenges the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) 2022 revisions to the Gun Control Act of 1986. These revisions introduced new definitions of key terms like "firearm," "firearm frame," and "receiver" that could have far-reaching implications for gun regulations across the country. The case revolves around whether the ATF has overstepped its authority by redefining these terms and altering the legal landscape for gun owners, manufacturers, and regulators. Join us as we break down the legal arguments, the historical context of the Gun Control Act, and the potential consequences of this case for the future of firearms law.
Here are the sources we used:
Can SCOTUS make up its mind on gun laws? (Update: U.S. v. Rahimi)
Hello everybody! We are on to business as usual, updating you on U.S. v. Rahimi. This is a case about the permissibility of 2nd amendment restrictions. If you need additional background, we recommend you go …
Show notes
Hello everybody! We are on to business as usual, updating you on U.S. v. Rahimi. This is a case about the permissibility of 2nd amendment restrictions. If you need additional background, we recommend you go back and listen to the original U.S. v. Rahimi episode, as well as the NY State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen episode. Linked below are some resources on the Rahimi case for your viewing! Thanks for tuning in.
As for the NC Supreme Court race, Justice Allison Riggs appears to have won by a slim 625 votes. There will likely be a recount. If you want to learn more about her, we recommend that you go back and listen to our interview with her, entitled "Campaigning with Conviction".
https://www.oyez.org/cases/2023/22-915
https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/23pdf/22-915_8o6b.pdf
https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-guns-domestic-violence-d63ee828e51911cc5e5a01780820f224
Election Day Emergencies: 3 SCOTUS Decisions About the 2024 Election
Hey y'all! On today's episode Eva and I discuss 3 key decisions that the Supreme Court made about the upcoming election. If you have not made a plan to vote yet visit iwillvote.com to get all the information …
Show notes
Hey y'all!
On today's episode Eva and I discuss 3 key decisions that the Supreme Court made about the upcoming election. If you have not made a plan to vote yet visit iwillvote.com to get all the information you need to vote tomorrow. Here are all the resources we used in compiling this episode:
- https://www.npr.org/2024/11/01/g-s1-31054/supreme-court-pennsylvania
- https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/10/30/virginia-voter-purge-justices/
- https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/noncitizen-voting-missing-millions
- https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/4960129-election-lawsuits-supreme-court/
These are the latest 40 of 86 episodes. You’ll find older episodes in the podcast’s feed.
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