{"argument_date":"2008-11-10T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2008-11-10T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2008","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/06-11206.pdf","paragraphs":["the side that brought the case argued failure to report presents no serious risk of injury.","The government argued the risk matches the danger of burglary.","Justice Kennedy questioned whether the general nature of the crime controls the analysis.","Justice Kennedy asked if the frequency of violent escapes changes the legal outcome."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 13-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/06-11206.pdf","page_label":"file page 20, lines 13-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/06-11206.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/06-11206.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/06-11206.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 17-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 51-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/06-11206.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 51-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 21-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/06-11206.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 21-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 31-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/06-11206.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 31-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 43-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/06-11206.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 43-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 31-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/06-11206.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 31-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 7-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/06-11206.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 7-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 25-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/06-11206.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 25-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 49-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/06-11206.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 49-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 11-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/06-11206.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 11-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 21-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/06-11206.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 21-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 9-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/06-11206.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 9-15"}]}],"caption":"Chambers v. United States","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:26.904468Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"The dispute centers on whether a failure-to-report escape statute qualifies as a violent felony under the Armed Career Criminal Act.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 13-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/06-11206.pdf","page_label":"file page 20, lines 13-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/06-11206.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-15"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2008-11-10T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2008","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/06-11206.html","primary_docket":"06-11206","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-31T03:07:07.311449Z","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 the scope of the ACCA's residual clause. It asks if a crime that does not involve direct physical force still fits the definition of a violent felony. The Court must determine how to assess the risk of harm for such offenses."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 13-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/06-11206.pdf","page_label":"file page 20, lines 13-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/06-11206.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-15"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on November 10, 2008."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/06-11206.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["the side that brought the case wants the Court to hold that failure to report is not a violent felony.","The government wants the Court to hold that failure to report is a violent felony."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 13-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/06-11206.pdf","page_label":"file page 20, lines 13-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/06-11206.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-15"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["the side that brought the case argues the crime lacks serious potential risk of injury to others.","The government argues the crime creates a risk comparable to burglary."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 13-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/06-11206.pdf","page_label":"file page 20, lines 13-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/06-11206.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-15"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Kennedy asked if the Court looks to the general nature of the crime for violence.","Justice Kennedy asked if the proportion of violent escapes affects the decision."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/06-11206.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 17-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 51-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/06-11206.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 51-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 21-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/06-11206.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 21-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 31-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/06-11206.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 31-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 43-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/06-11206.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 43-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 31-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/06-11206.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 31-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 7-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/06-11206.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 7-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 25-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/06-11206.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 25-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 49-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/06-11206.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 49-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 11-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/06-11206.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 11-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 21-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/06-11206.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 21-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 9-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/06-11206.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 9-15"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This case defines the boundary of violent felony classifications. It determines which non-physical crimes trigger enhanced federal sentences. The outcome shapes sentencing consistency for career offenders nationwide."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 13-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/06-11206.pdf","page_label":"file page 20, lines 13-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/06-11206.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-15"}]},{"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 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/06-11206.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/06-11206.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 17-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 51-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/06-11206.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 51-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 21-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/06-11206.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 21-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 31-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/06-11206.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 31-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 43-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/06-11206.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 43-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 31-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/06-11206.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 31-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 7-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/06-11206.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 7-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 25-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/06-11206.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 25-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 49-51","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/06-11206.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 49-51"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 11-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/06-11206.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 11-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 21-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/06-11206.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 21-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 9-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/06-11206.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 9-15"}]}],"slug":"2008-06-11206-chambers-v-united-states","term":"2008","title":"Does failure to report count as a violent felony?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 20, lines 13-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/06-11206.pdf","page_label":"file page 20, lines 13-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2008/06-11206.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-15"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}