{"argument_date":"2004-12-01T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2004-12-01T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2004","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1407.pdf","paragraphs":["Ms. Karlan argued statutory interpretation is a holistic process.","Ms. McKiever argued two requirements must be met for exemption.","Justice Scalia questioned if tax benefits trigger age-based restrictions.","Justice Ginsburg noted the funds were shielded while in the plan."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 13-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1407.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 13-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1407.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 15-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 33-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1407.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 33-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 41-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1407.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 41-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1407.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 5-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1407.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1407.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 17-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 29-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1407.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 29-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 1-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1407.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 1-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 13-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1407.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 13-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 33-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1407.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 33-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 41-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1407.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 41-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 15-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1407.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 15-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 37-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1407.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 37-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 15-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1407.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 15-31"}]}],"caption":"Rousey v. Jocaway","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:29.816323Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"the sides that brought the case seek to exempt IRA funds from bankruptcy. the opposing sides argue the funds are not exempt.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 13-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1407.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 13-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1407.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 15-31"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2004-12-01T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2004","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/03-1407.html","primary_docket":"03-1407","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-31T15:12:17.512808Z","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":["The case tests whether a debtor can shield IRA funds from bankruptcy creditors. the sides that brought the case want to keep the funds. the opposing sides want the funds available to creditors."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 13-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1407.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 13-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1407.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 15-31"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on December 1, 2004."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1407.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 5-13"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["the sides that brought the case want to keep IRA funds exempt from bankruptcy.","the opposing sides want the IRA funds available to creditors."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 13-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1407.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 13-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1407.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 15-31"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["the sides that brought the case argue statutory interpretation requires a holistic reading.","the opposing sides argue the funds lack full enjoyment due to tax rules."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 13-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1407.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 13-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1407.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 15-31"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Stevens asked what the word holistic means.","Justice O'Connor asked if the issue was based on age."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 33-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1407.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 33-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 41-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1407.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 41-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1407.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1407.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 17-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 29-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1407.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 29-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 1-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1407.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 1-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 13-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1407.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 13-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 33-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1407.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 33-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 41-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1407.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 41-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 15-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1407.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 15-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 37-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1407.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 37-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 15-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1407.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 15-31"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This case defines the scope of bankruptcy exemptions for retirement funds. It determines whether debtors retain tax-advantaged assets during financial distress. Creditors rely on these funds to satisfy debts. The outcome shapes national bankruptcy policy."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 13-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1407.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 13-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1407.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 15-31"}]},{"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 33-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1407.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 33-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 41-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1407.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 41-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1407.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 5-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1407.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1407.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 17-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 29-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1407.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 29-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 1-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1407.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 1-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 13-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1407.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 13-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 33-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1407.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 33-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 41-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1407.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 41-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 15-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1407.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 15-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 37-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1407.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 37-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 15-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1407.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 15-31"}]}],"slug":"2004-03-1407-rousey-v-jocaway","term":"2004","title":"Does a debtor keep tax-free IRA funds in bankruptcy?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 13-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1407.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 13-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2004/03-1407.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 15-31"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}