{"argument_date":"2006-03-27T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2006-03-27T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2005","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1739.pdf","paragraphs":["Mr. Rovelli argued the policy targets dangerous inmates.","Mr. Marcus argued the ban does not violate rights.","questions_asked_by_justices"],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 37-54","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1739.pdf","page_label":"file page 17, lines 37-54"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 45-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1739.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 45-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1739.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 15-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1739.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/2005/04-1739.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 21-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1739.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 21-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 3-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1739.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 3-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 37-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1739.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 37-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 43-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1739.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 43-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1739.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 25-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 43-54","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1739.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 43-54"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 7-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1739.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 7-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 19-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1739.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 19-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 27-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1739.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 27-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 49-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1739.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 49-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 19-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1739.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 19-23"}]}],"caption":"Beard v. Banks","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:28.629089Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"Prisoners claim a book ban violates free speech. The state says safety requires the rule.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 37-54","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1739.pdf","page_label":"file page 17, lines 37-54"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 45-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1739.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 45-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1739.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 15-1"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2006-03-27T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2005","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/04-1739.html","primary_docket":"04-1739","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-31T13:40:21.037198Z","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":["Pennsylvania bans books for its most dangerous inmates. Prisoners say this violates their First Amendment rights. The state argues the ban improves behavior and safety."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 37-54","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1739.pdf","page_label":"file page 17, lines 37-54"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 45-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1739.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 45-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1739.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 15-1"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on March 27, 2006."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1739.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 5-13"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["Prisoners want the book ban struck down.","The state wants the book ban upheld."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 37-54","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1739.pdf","page_label":"file page 17, lines 37-54"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 45-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1739.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 45-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1739.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 15-1"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["Prisoners argue the ban violates free speech rights.","The state argues the ban is a safety measure."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 37-54","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1739.pdf","page_label":"file page 17, lines 37-54"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 45-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1739.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 45-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1739.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 15-1"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Stevens asked how long inmates stay in this unit.","Justice Kennedy asked if any inmate stayed for two years."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1739.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 21-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1739.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 21-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 3-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1739.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 3-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 37-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1739.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 37-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 43-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1739.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 43-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1739.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 25-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 43-54","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1739.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 43-54"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 7-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1739.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 7-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 19-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1739.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 19-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 27-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1739.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 27-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 49-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1739.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 49-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 19-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1739.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 19-23"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This case defines prison speech limits. It balances inmate rights against facility safety. The outcome shapes future prison policies nationwide."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 37-54","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1739.pdf","page_label":"file page 17, lines 37-54"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 45-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1739.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 45-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1739.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 15-1"}]},{"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 5-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1739.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/2005/04-1739.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 11-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 21-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1739.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 21-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 3-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1739.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 3-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 37-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1739.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 37-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 43-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1739.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 43-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1739.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 25-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 43-54","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1739.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 43-54"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 7-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1739.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 7-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 19-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1739.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 19-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 27-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1739.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 27-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 49-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1739.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 49-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 19-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1739.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 19-23"}]}],"slug":"2005-04-1739-beard-v-banks","term":"2005","title":"Can prisons ban books for dangerous inmates?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 37-54","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1739.pdf","page_label":"file page 17, lines 37-54"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 45-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1739.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 45-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1739.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 15-1"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}