{"argument_date":"2001-12-03T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2001-12-03T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2001","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-1249.pdf","paragraphs":["Chief Justice Rehnquist distinguished this case from prior censorship precedents.","Mr. Strauss clarified the park district uses a first-come, first-served rule.","Chief Justice Rehnquist identified the issue as prior restraint.","Mr. Feldman argued the ordinance satisfies First Amendment standards."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 47-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-1249.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 47-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-1249.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 33-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-1249.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 33-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-1249.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 5-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 19-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-1249.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 19-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 44, lines 29-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-1249.pdf","page_label":"file page 44, lines 29-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 51, lines 39-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-1249.pdf","page_label":"file page 51, lines 39-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 13-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-1249.pdf","page_label":"file page 52, lines 13-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 11-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-1249.pdf","page_label":"file page 54, lines 11-13"}]}],"caption":"Thomas v. Chicago Park Dist.","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:32.730685Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"},{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:32.753033Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"the sides that brought the case claim the Chicago Park District's permit rules suppress speech. The District argues the rules satisfy First Amendment standards.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 47-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-1249.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 47-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-1249.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 44, lines 29-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-1249.pdf","page_label":"file page 44, lines 29-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 51, lines 39-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-1249.pdf","page_label":"file page 51, lines 39-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 13-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-1249.pdf","page_label":"file page 52, lines 13-19"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2001-12-03T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2001","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/00-1249.html","primary_docket":"00-1249","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-31T17:25:13.457318Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":1},{"correction_note":"Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.","created_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":2}],"schema_version":"1.1","sections":[{"heading":"What this case is about","paragraphs":["This case tests whether a city park permit system violates the First Amendment. the sides that brought the case seek a ruling that the rules are unconstitutional. The District seeks to keep the rules in place."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 47-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-1249.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 47-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-1249.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 44, lines 29-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-1249.pdf","page_label":"file page 44, lines 29-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 51, lines 39-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-1249.pdf","page_label":"file page 51, lines 39-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 13-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-1249.pdf","page_label":"file page 52, lines 13-19"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on December 3, 2001."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-1249.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 5-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 11-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-1249.pdf","page_label":"file page 54, lines 11-13"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["the sides that brought the case want the Court to strike down the permit rules.","The District wants the Court to uphold the permit rules."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 47-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-1249.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 47-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-1249.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 44, lines 29-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-1249.pdf","page_label":"file page 44, lines 29-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 51, lines 39-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-1249.pdf","page_label":"file page 51, lines 39-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 13-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-1249.pdf","page_label":"file page 52, lines 13-19"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["the sides that brought the case argue the permit system acts as prior restraint on speech.","The District argues the rules meet First Amendment requirements."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 47-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-1249.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 47-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-1249.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 44, lines 29-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-1249.pdf","page_label":"file page 44, lines 29-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 51, lines 39-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-1249.pdf","page_label":"file page 51, lines 39-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 13-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-1249.pdf","page_label":"file page 52, lines 13-19"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Chief Justice Rehnquist asked if this case differs from prior censorship cases.","Chief Justice Rehnquist noted the heavy presumption against prior restraint."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 33-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-1249.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 33-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 19-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-1249.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 19-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 11-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-1249.pdf","page_label":"file page 54, lines 11-13"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This dispute defines how cities manage public spaces. It balances individual speech rights against public access needs. The outcome shapes future park regulations nationwide."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 47-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-1249.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 47-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-1249.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 44, lines 29-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-1249.pdf","page_label":"file page 44, lines 29-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 51, lines 39-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-1249.pdf","page_label":"file page 51, lines 39-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 13-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-1249.pdf","page_label":"file page 52, lines 13-19"}]},{"heading":"What happens next","paragraphs":["This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 33-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-1249.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 33-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-1249.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 5-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 19-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-1249.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 19-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 11-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-1249.pdf","page_label":"file page 54, lines 11-13"}]}],"slug":"2001-00-1249-thomas-v-chicago-park-dist","term":"2001","title":"Does a park permit system violate free speech rights?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 47-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-1249.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 47-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-1249.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 44, lines 29-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-1249.pdf","page_label":"file page 44, lines 29-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 51, lines 39-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-1249.pdf","page_label":"file page 51, lines 39-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 13-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2001/00-1249.pdf","page_label":"file page 52, lines 13-19"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}