{"argument_date":"2007-10-29T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2007-10-29T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2007","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2007/06-9130.pdf","paragraphs":["the side that brought the case argued the statute's text limits the bar to customs and excise officers.","the opposing side argued the statute broadly covers all law enforcement property seizures.","Justice Scalia questioned the purpose of a later statutory exception if the initial bar is narrow.","Justice Ginsburg challenged the side that brought the case's example of DEA agents as auxiliary customs officers."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 3-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2007/06-9130.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 3-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 49-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2007/06-9130.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 49-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 31-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2007/06-9130.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 31-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 47-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2007/06-9130.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 47-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 23-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2007/06-9130.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 23-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 31-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2007/06-9130.pdf","page_label":"file page 14, lines 31-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 27-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2007/06-9130.pdf","page_label":"file page 25, lines 27-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2007/06-9130.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 15-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2007/06-9130.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2007/06-9130.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 25-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2007/06-9130.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 25-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 7-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2007/06-9130.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 7-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 21-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2007/06-9130.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 21-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 35-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2007/06-9130.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 35-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 5-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2007/06-9130.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 5-11"}]}],"caption":"Ali v. Federal Bureau of Prisons","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:36.219816Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"The dispute centers on whether a federal statute bars tort claims for property seized by law enforcement officers outside customs duties.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 27-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2007/06-9130.pdf","page_label":"file page 25, lines 27-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2007/06-9130.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 15-21"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2007-10-29T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2007","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/06-9130.html","primary_docket":"06-9130","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-31T12:07:49.107050Z","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 a federal statute that limits tort claims against the government. The statute bars claims arising from the detention of goods by customs officers. the side that brought the case argues this bar applies only to customs and excise officers. the opposing side argues the bar covers all law enforcement officers."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 27-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2007/06-9130.pdf","page_label":"file page 25, lines 27-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2007/06-9130.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 15-21"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on October 29, 2007."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2007/06-9130.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-13"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["the side that brought the case wants the Court to limit the statutory bar to customs and excise officers only.","the opposing side wants the Court to apply the statutory bar to all law enforcement officers."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 27-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2007/06-9130.pdf","page_label":"file page 25, lines 27-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2007/06-9130.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 15-21"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["the side that brought the case argues the statute's text specifically targets customs and excise law enforcement activities.","the opposing side argues the statute broadly bars claims for property detained by any federal law enforcement officer."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 27-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2007/06-9130.pdf","page_label":"file page 25, lines 27-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2007/06-9130.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 15-21"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Scalia asked what purpose a later statutory provision serves if the initial bar is narrow.","Justice Ginsburg questioned whether DEA agents searching for narcotics fit the definition of auxiliary customs officers."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 3-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2007/06-9130.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 3-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 49-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2007/06-9130.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 49-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 31-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2007/06-9130.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 31-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 47-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2007/06-9130.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 47-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 23-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2007/06-9130.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 23-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 31-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2007/06-9130.pdf","page_label":"file page 14, lines 31-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2007/06-9130.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 25-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2007/06-9130.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 25-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 7-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2007/06-9130.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 7-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 21-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2007/06-9130.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 21-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 35-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2007/06-9130.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 35-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 5-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2007/06-9130.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 5-11"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This interpretation determines which federal employees face tort liability for property seizures. It defines the boundary between customs enforcement and general law enforcement. It shapes the scope of government immunity in property disputes. It clarifies the statutory text for future litigation. It balances government operational flexibility against individual property rights."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 27-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2007/06-9130.pdf","page_label":"file page 25, lines 27-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2007/06-9130.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 15-21"}]},{"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 10, lines 3-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2007/06-9130.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 3-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 49-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2007/06-9130.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 49-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 31-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2007/06-9130.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 31-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 47-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2007/06-9130.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 47-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 23-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2007/06-9130.pdf","page_label":"file page 13, lines 23-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 31-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2007/06-9130.pdf","page_label":"file page 14, lines 31-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2007/06-9130.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2007/06-9130.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 25-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2007/06-9130.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 25-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 7-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2007/06-9130.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 7-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 21-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2007/06-9130.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 21-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 35-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2007/06-9130.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 35-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 5-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2007/06-9130.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 5-11"}]}],"slug":"2007-06-9130-ali-v-federal-bureau-of-prisons","term":"2007","title":"Does the Federal Tort Claims Act bar suits over property seized by non-customs officers?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 27-27","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2007/06-9130.pdf","page_label":"file page 25, lines 27-27"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2007/06-9130.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 15-21"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}