Rephonic
Artwork for Short Circuit
Fourth Amendment
First Amendment
Judicial Engagement
Voting Rights Act
Eighth Circuit
Erma Wilson
U.S. Supreme Court
Coal Mining
California Proposition 65
Excessive Force
Midland County, Texas
Qualified Immunity
Legal History
Grammatical Structure
Black Lung Disease
Tiktok
Glyphosate
Sovereign Immunity
Drones
United States V. Mccall

The Supreme Court decides a few dozen cases every year; federal appellate courts decide thousands. So if you love constitutional law, the circuit courts are where it’s at. Join us as we break down some of the week’s most intriguing appellate decisions with a unique brand of insight, wit, and passion for judicial engagement and the rule of law. ij.org/short-circuit

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Artwork for Short Circuit

Latest Episodes

With a baker’s dozen of circuits it’s hard to pick a favorite. Or is it? We sit down with three lawyers and scholars to ask what their favorite circuit is and why. Ben Field of IJ gives us his choice and we also bring on professors Tom Metzloff of Du... more

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Evan Lisull of IJ tells us of a guy on probation who seems to have been pretty clever with his living arrangements. The police often don’t need a warrant to search the residence of a person on probation. In this case from the Fourth Circuit, the guy ... more

YouTube

We welcome on Sam MacRoberts of the Kansas Justice Institute for an inspection of the Fourth Amendment. Sam is the General Counsel and Litigation Director of KJI where he does things like sue the government. So he’s a perfect fit for Short Circuit. S... more

YouTube

[Note: This episode was down for a couple days but has been reposted. It originally dropped on March 6, 2026.] If you’ve ever wondered if a sniff is a search, IJ’s Rob Frommer has you covered on this week’s episode. Well, he has you covered in explai... more

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Recent Guests

Sam MacRoberts
General Counsel and Litigation Director for the Kansas Justice Institute
Kansas Justice Institute
Episode: Short Circuit 419 | Inspecting Your Business
Jaba Tsitsuashvili
Institute for Justice attorney discussing the West Virginia immigration detention case
Institute for Justice
Episode: Short Circuit 418 | ICE Detention and Booze-Sniffing Dogs
Bert Gall
Attorney, Chicago-based practitioner discussed on the show
Freeman Mathis & Gary (Chicago)
Episode: Short Circuit 417 | Settling with Spicy Chicken
Patrick Eckler
Partner at Freeman Mathis & Gary; host of Podium Podcast
Freeman Mathis & Gary
Episode: Short Circuit 417 | Settling with Spicy Chicken
Kenneth Rosen
Professor of Law at the University of Alabama, expert in economic freedom and constitutional law.
University of Alabama School of Law
Episode: Short Circuit 413 | Economic Freedom, History, and Tradition
Ryan Snyder
Associate Professor of Law at the University of Missouri, expert in historical practice in legal contexts.
University of Missouri School of Law
Episode: Short Circuit 413 | Economic Freedom, History, and Tradition
Jonathan Green
Associate Professor at Arizona State University, focuses on history and tradition in law.
Arizona State University
Episode: Short Circuit 413 | Economic Freedom, History, and Tradition
James Joseph
Partner at Eimer Stahl, former Assistant Director at the Institute for Justice Clinic at the University of Chicago
Eimer Stahl
Episode: Short Circuit 407 | Master Thespians
Bob McNamara
Deputy Director of Litigation at the Institute for Justice, has a theater background
Institute for Justice
Episode: Short Circuit 407 | Master Thespians

Host

Anthony Sanders
Host and Director of the Center for Judicial Engagement at the Institute for Justice, providing insights into key judicial matters with a focus on constitutional interpretation and civil rights.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 220 ratings
  • Very hit or miss

    Some of the people they have on are brilliant, some not so much. Theme music is bangin though

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Lennygetsome
    United States2 years ago
  • Almost perfect

    If only they didn’t regard corporate speech so highly….

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    ahdnchfjrjr
    United States2 years ago
  • A bit of an Echo Chamber

    The podcasts are hit and miss. There are some really good, informative podcasts with some great legal analysis. But, there are others that sound like a cheap plaintiff’s attorney commercial, all bluster and no logical analysis, especially when talking about law enforcement. IJ could really use some diversity in their ranks. Right now it’s an echo chamber.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    SamoanPower
    United States2 years ago
  • Not what it once was

    The show has gotten sillier and duller. Emphasis on court activities has been replaced by emphasis on lawyers, and lawyers are a bore. If you care how “en banc” is pronounced, this is the show for you. I prefer knowing what is happening with the law.(And in the months since I wrote this it has gotten worse. Lawyers talking about and celebrating lawyers. Yuk.) Frankly, it’s sickening to hear IJ lawyers defending the War on Drugs. Lockeans they are not.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    nicmart
    United States2 years ago
  • Often ill-informed hot takes

    I used to think this podcast provided some useful insights into areas of the law that I wasn’t familiar with. But then they started talking about areas of the law I was familiar with, and it wasn’t even slanted commentary—it was flat out wrong or, at best, half truths. This is particularly prevalent in the podcast’s “unpublished opinions” series. I don’t know where they found the people for the commentary in those episodes, but as someone who practices in some of the jurisdictions they discuss, ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Lennygetsome
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Feedback indicates a desire for a wider range of perspectives, with some concerns that discussions may appear one-sided or echo chamber-like.
Listeners appreciate the insightful analysis of legal cases and updates but note that quality can vary between episodes.
Many find the content informative and engaging, particularly for those interested in nuanced legal discussions and constitutional law.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Short Circuit 418 | ICE Detention and Booze-Sniffing Dogs
Q: Is there concern that this ruling will be mooted or limited when it goes up on appeal, and how does that affect its impact?
There is some uncertainty about appellate trajectory, but the episode frames the district court's reasoning as a strong, principles-based statement that could influence subsequent decisions even if the case evolves on appeal.
Short Circuit 418 | ICE Detention and Booze-Sniffing Dogs
Q: What does the panel see as the main constitutional threat posed by masked, interior enforcement in immigration cases?
The panel argues that masked agents and interior enforcement undermine accountability, violate the Fourth Amendment's protections on wrongdoing without warrants, and risk the essential balance between state power and individual rights.
Short Circuit 417 | Settling with Spicy Chicken
Q: What made the Seventh Circuit decide there was no settlement in Carina Ventures v. Pilgrim's Pride?
The court looked at whether all material terms of the agreement were actually agreed upon. The email exchange was not enough to establish a final settlement; the panel emphasized the need for a complete term sheet and clarity on distribution, which was missing.
Short Circuit 414 | Should You Sue YouTube or Work With It?
Q: What happens if YouTube falls down on its job after you opt into their system?
While the specific terms aren't clear, the general expectation is that YouTube's automated systems are fast but may not always be accurate; opting in is a significant trust in their system.
Short Circuit 414 | Should You Sue YouTube or Work With It?
Q: What should someone know when getting into a district court clerkship?
Clerking at a district court involves a steep learning curve, but it offers invaluable practical experience that is highly beneficial for litigation.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Short Circuit

What is Short Circuit about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Content centers around recent legal developments within the federal appellate courts, emphasizing constitutional law and individual rights. Episodes typically discuss significant cases, approach them with commentary that blends analysis with personal experiences, and feature legal experts who provide insights into complex judicial principles. A notable highlight is the focus on civil rights issues, government overreach, and the implications of different interpretations of constitutional provisions. This podcast appeals to listeners interested in the intricacies of the legal system and its impact on freedoms in various contexts.

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How many subscribers and views does Short Circuit have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Short Circuit has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Short Circuit?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Short Circuit:

1. Unpublished Opinions
2. Beyond the Brief
3. Divided Argument
4. Advisory Opinions
5. Amarica's Constitution

How many episodes of Short Circuit are there?

Short Circuit launched 17 years ago and published 301 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Short Circuit?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Short Circuit?

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What guests have appeared on Short Circuit?

Recent guests on Short Circuit include:

1. Sam MacRoberts
2. Jaba Tsitsuashvili
3. Bert Gall
4. Patrick Eckler
5. Kenneth Rosen
6. Ryan Snyder
7. Jonathan Green
8. James Joseph

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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