Supreme Court Will Review FCC’s Power to Impose Financial Penalties

Verizon and AT&T argue the FCC’s in-house adjudication system violates their constitutional rights.

The seal of the Federal Communications Commission in Washington on Dec. 14, 2017. Jacquelyn Martin/AP Photo

The U.S. Supreme Court on April 21 will consider whether the Federal Communications Commission’s power to levy large fines violates Verizon and AT&T’s constitutional right to a jury trial.

The cases of FCC v. AT&T and Verizon Communications v. FCC, which will be heard together, are about whether provisions in the federal Communications Act of 1934 allowing the FCC to use in-house adjudications to levy penalties are constitutional.