The U.S. Supreme Court opened its new term today, promising to cover some interesting ground that includes arguments on the death penalty for minors, medicinal marijuana, interstate wine shipments, and retaliation for reporting discrimination under Title IX.

Today’s docket offers an unusual two-hour session, which the Post notes as “a possible revolution in the federal criminal justice system.” The court turns its attention toward ironing out the delicacies of its end-of-term Blakely v. Washington ruling, which struck down Washington state’s sentencing guidelines that allowed judges to “boost sentences based on their own post-conviction fact-finding, rather than relying only on facts admitted by the defendant or found by a jury,” prompting questions about similar federal sentencing guidelines.

Although too late witness today’s arguments in person, keep in mind that all oral arguments (PDF) are open to the public, both for observing an entire session or simply for a short walk-through tour while the court is in session. Seats are limited with a first-come, first-seated system, and DCist recalls a few long lines for cases from years past, so plan ahead if you would like to hear a controversial case. A trip to the Supreme Court can offer a great “wow” factor when out-of-town friends and family descend upon you requesting some D.C. diversions.