Where can I find audio recordings of court hearings?
Answer
Files containing digital audio records of court hearings are now accessible through PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records). There will be a fee of $2.40 per
audio file.
"Digital audio recording is used in most bankruptcy and many district courts (where magistrate judges account
for most of the usage). Currently, the following courts provide access to audio files through the PACER
system with more courts to be added at a later date: the U.S. District Courts in Nebraska and the Eastern
District of Pennsylvania; the U.S. Bankruptcy Courts in the Eastern District of North Carolina, Middle District
of Florida, Northern District of Alabama, Rhode Island and Maine. Many other courts are in the early stages of
implementing the initiative.
Digital recordings of hearings can be identified by running a Docket Activity Report and selecting the "Audio"
category. Entries on the Docket Report with the audio icon denote files that contain audio recordings, as
reflected in the sample below." - PACER Service Center
Additionally, you can find audio of some arguments of the United States Supreme Court at The Oyez Project.
"The Oyez Project is a multimedia archive devoted to the Supreme Court of the United States and its work. It aims to be a complete and authoritative source for all audio recorded in the Court since the installation of a recording system in October 1955. The Project also provides authoritative information on all justices and offers a virtual reality 'tour' of portions of the Supreme Court building, including the chambers of some of the justices." - The Oyez Project