⚖ Oral Arguments, with Context

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Ivan Stark, Jr. v. Brenton Bragan — 7th Cir. (Sep 24, 2026)

No. 25-2609 Argued September 24, 2026 Published October 2, 2026

Ivan Stark asks the Seventh Circuit for prison-program credits. He says he worked as an orderly and distributed meals while awaiting transfer to his designated prison, but the Bureau of Prisons denied credits for that period. Under the First Step Act, eligible prisoners can earn time credits through qualifying programs. Stark challenged the calculation, and the district court denied his petition. He has since left prison and is under court-ordered supervision. He wants additional credits to shorten that supervision; the government says credits can move its start earlier, but cannot shorten the term. The judges also ask whether meaningful relief remains, the issue called mootness. Becca Steinberg will argue for Stark and seek credit against his remaining supervision.

Ivan Stark, Jr. v. Brenton Bragan (No. 25-2609) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, argued September 24, 2026.

Sources
Argument audio — Seventh Circuit (public domain, 17 U.S.C. § 105):https://media.ca7.uscourts.gov/sound/external/ef.25-2609.25-2609_09_24_2026.mp3
Argument date and case listing — Seventh Circuit:https://media.ca7.uscourts.gov/oralArguments/oar.jsp?amonth=09%2F2026&aMonth=List+case%28s%29
District denial and judgment — N.D. Illinois, August 14, 2025, Docs. 18–19 (filed opening-brief appendix, PDF pages 60–64):https://www.law.georgetown.edu/experiential-learning/wp-content/uploads/sites/59/2025/12/13-Stark-Opening-Brief-12.3.2025-2.pdf#page=60
Stark's factual account and appeal — filed opening brief, December 3, 2025:https://www.law.georgetown.edu/experiential-learning/wp-content/uploads/sites/59/2025/12/13-Stark-Opening-Brief-12.3.2025-2.pdf
Supervised-release status and requested relief — filed reply brief, March 31, 2026:https://www.law.georgetown.edu/experiential-learning/wp-content/uploads/sites/59/2026/04/28-Stark-Reply-public-version.pdf
Qualifying First Step Act time credits — 18 U.S.C. § 3632(d)(4), Cornell LII statutory text:https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/3632
Time-credit program overview — Bureau of Prisons official First Step Act FAQ:https://www.bop.gov/inmates/fsa/faq.jsp
Mootness and effectual relief — Chafin v. Chafin, 568 U.S. 165, 172–174 (Supreme Court opinion, Cornell LII):https://www.law.cornell.edu/supremecourt/text/11-1347

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