{"argument_date":"2003-03-26T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2003-03-26T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2002","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2002/02-102.pdf","paragraphs":["Paul Smith argued Texas claims a right to punish. He stated this applies to unmarried couples. He emphasized the state's disapproval motive.","Texas counsel argued the state may enforce its penal code. They cited specific statutory provisions. They requested the Court uphold the law.","Chief Justice Rehnquist closed the session. He noted the case was submitted. No further questions were recorded."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 27-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2002/02-102.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 27-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2002/02-102.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2002/02-102.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 5-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 1-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2002/02-102.pdf","page_label":"file page 52, lines 1-3"}]}],"caption":"Lawrence v. Texas","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:31.210580Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"Texas claims the right to punish unmarried adults for private sexual acts. the sides that brought the case argue this violates their liberty.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 27-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2002/02-102.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 27-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2002/02-102.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-43"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2003-03-26T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2002","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/02-102.html","primary_docket":"02-102","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-31T16:22:01.466018Z","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 the scope of state power over private conduct. Texas defends its statute. the sides that brought the case seek to strike it down."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 27-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2002/02-102.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 27-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2002/02-102.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-43"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on March 26, 2003."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2002/02-102.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 5-15"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["the sides that brought the case want the conviction overturned.","Texas wants the conviction upheld."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 27-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2002/02-102.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 27-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2002/02-102.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-43"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["the sides that brought the case argue the state cannot punish consensual private acts.","Texas argues it may criminalize specific sexual conduct."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 27-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2002/02-102.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 27-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2002/02-102.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-43"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Chief Justice Rehnquist asked if the case was submitted."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 1-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2002/02-102.pdf","page_label":"file page 52, lines 1-3"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["The outcome defines the boundary of state criminal law. It impacts the privacy of all adults. It shapes the scope of personal liberty."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 27-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2002/02-102.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 27-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2002/02-102.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-43"}]},{"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 5-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2002/02-102.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 5-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 1-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2002/02-102.pdf","page_label":"file page 52, lines 1-3"}]}],"slug":"2002-02-102-lawrence-v-texas","term":"2002","title":"Can Texas criminalize consensual adult intimacy?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 27-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2002/02-102.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 27-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2002/02-102.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 17-43"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}