Industry
Supreme Court arguments make it clear that FCC fines are 'nonbinding'
During Supreme Court oral arguments on April 21, 2026, the FCC argued that its roughly 100 million in fines against Verizon and AT&T were 'nonbinding' and did not violate the companies' Seventh Amendm
During Supreme Court oral arguments on April 21, 2026, the FCC argued that its roughly $100 million in fines against Verizon and AT&T were "nonbinding" and did not violate the companies' Seventh Amendment right to a jury trial. Multiple justices appeared receptive to the FCC's argument that the penalty orders are not binding until the Department of Justice brings a lawsuit to enforce them, at which point a jury trial is available. Some justices seemed open to the idea that wireless carriers were not legally forced to pay the more than $100 million in fines without a jury trial.
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Source: Ars Technica | 2026-04-21