Court weighs whether FCC fines are nonbinding without a jury

During oral arguments, Supreme Court justices questioned AT&T and Verizon’s claim that FCC forfeitures violate the Seventh Amendment, noting carriers could have sought a jury trial by declining to pay and letting enforcement proceed in court. The government argued the forfeiture orders function like indictments and are enforceable only after a jury trial, though justices suggested the penalties may be nonbinding until court review. Even if AT&T and Verizon lose, the case could clarify that FCC fines are nonbinding and require a separate court decision to enforce, affecting how the agency enforces privacy and telecom rules.